Energy firms look to tiny Tunisia for safer profits

* Investment in Tunisian oil and gas growing fast

* Energy execs say attracted by stable business environment

* State energy firm plans to start exporting gas

By Christian Lowe

TUNIS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Tunisia's energy sector is attracting growing interest from international firms looking for dependable returns, despite oil and gas output that is dwarfed by its neighbours Libya and Algeria.

Tunisia produced 2.9 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2008 -- a drop in the ocean compared to the 86.5 billion cubic metres pumped by Algeria last year.

But some international oil and gas companies say that while the volumes are low, Tunisia's favourable business climate compares well with the tougher environment in its neighbours.

"It ticks all the boxes that companies are looking for in a place to invest," said Ian Perks, President of BG Tunisia, the local arm of London-listed gas producer BG (BG.L).