Oil Search wins Tunisia drill permit-officials

TUNIS, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Tunisia awarded an oil and gas exploration permit to Australia's Oil Search Ltd (OSH.AX), government officials said on Sunday.

Under a 4-1/2 year licence, Oil Search, in partnership with Tunisian state oil firm Societe Tunisienne des Activites Petrolieres (ETAP), will invest $8 million to drill one well, they added. The exploration area of 4,852 sq km straddles the two northwestern provinces of Kef and Siliana. (Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Paul Bolding)