ALGIERS, Mar 25 – Italy is seeking to increase natural gas imports from Algeria as it looks to offset supply disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the two countries had agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy, including new areas such as offshore and ocean gas, following talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The move comes as European countries scramble to secure alternative energy sources after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted tanker traffic and reduced global supply.
Spain is also stepping up efforts to secure Algerian gas, with Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares scheduled to visit Algiers. Algeria remains a key supplier to both countries through pipeline networks.
Italy’s state-controlled energy company Eni SpA has been renegotiating supply contracts with Sonatrach, which currently provides about 35% of Italy’s gas imports via pipelines crossing Tunisia.
At the same time, Spain is considering increasing flows through the Medgaz pipeline, operated by Sonatrach alongside Naturgy and BlackRock.
The push for additional pipeline gas comes as liquefied natural gas supplies face constraints. An attack on a major LNG facility in Qatar, which previously accounted for about 31% of Italy’s LNG imports, has further tightened supply, with repairs expected to take years.
Gas flows from Algeria to Italy via the TransMed pipeline have averaged around 20 billion cubic meters in recent years, still below peak levels seen in 2022 and 2023, highlighting the challenges Europe faces in fully replacing disrupted energy sources.
The evolving situation underscores the growing strategic importance of North African energy for Europe, as countries reposition supply chains to navigate prolonged geopolitical uncertainty.
