- In its effort to diversify gas supplies, Italy is looking towards Africa for its natural gas requirements. The Sanctions on Russia after its attack of Ukraine has compelled the country to look for other sources.
In its effort to diversify gas supplies, Italy is looking towards Africa for its natural gas requirements. Russia has been the major source of gas supplies to Italy. About 40% of Italy’s gas requirements are met by Russia. The Sanctions on Russia after its attack of Ukraine has compelled the country to look for other sources.
An Italian delegation has been visiting African countries scouting for cooperation in the gas sector. Italy has recently signed an energy co-operation agreement with Angola. The deal was signed by Angolan Mineral Resources Minister Diamantino Azevedo and Italy’s Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani in in Luanda, Angola’s capital. Italian multinational Eni is a major player in the Angolan oil and gas sector.
Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi struck another agreement this week with Algeria to buy more of its gas. Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced another deal with the Republic of Congo to source natural gas. The new deal with Congo is for a new Liquefied Natural Gas project that is expected to be launched next year with a capacity of up to 4.5 billion cubic meters a year. Apart from Algeria, Angola and Congo, Italy is also exploring opportunities to import gas from Libya and Mozambique.
Political analysts have said that Italy is not prepared for a swift change, despite the urgency to find alternate resources. It has to build oil pipelines, and gas pipelines, and also the regasificator.
https://trendsnafrica.com/italy-to-increase-import-of-gas-from-algeria/
