Algeria, through its national hydrocarbon company Sonatrach, has initiated discussions with its traditional gas importing customers, Spain and Italy.
These countries are worried following the diplomatic crisis which has worsened between Algiers and Rabat and which could lead to a disruption of imports via the “Maghreb-Europe” gas pipeline, which crosses Moroccan territory to transport Algerian gas to Spain. and Portugal. Algeria is multiplying statements and gestures to reassure its customers in Europe.
Algiers wants to guarantee its European customers “a secure and stable supply”, even in the event of non-renewal of the delivery contract via Morocco. Ten days from the end of this contract, no official Algerian announcement has been made for renewal. But Algiers has given guarantees that the cuts in gas supply to Europe, recorded last winter, will not be repeated.
Toufik Hakkar, CEO of Sonatrach, also wanted to reassure. He spoke on Monday, October 18, on Algerian national television:
“Spain and Italy are historical clients of Algeria and Sonatrach. We are linked to them by medium and long-term contracts. We are going to deliver the entire quantity of gas to which we are committed to Spain. We will respect our commitments on quantity and prices, even if the needs increase internally.”
Toufik Hakkar added: “According to the contract signed with Spain, we will have to transport 10.5 billion m³ per year. The Medgaz line can easily transport this quantity. If Spain is asking for more, we have factories capable of liquefying a significant amount of gas in a single day in order to transport it.”
Sonatrach inaugurated, a few weeks ago, an extension of the Medgaz gas pipeline over a distance of 200 kilometers, which strengthens its export capacities.
