During a visit to Algeria, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the two nations would collaborate on "boosting shipments of Algerian gas" to the EU member country.
"Meloni stated that we have chosen to strengthen our already strong partnership via our national champions," mentioning Italy's major energy company ENI and Algeria's Sonatrach.
"The bond between our countries has never been as robust," Meloni remarked during a press conference in Algiers.
She mentioned during a press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune that the two would collaborate on initiatives such as shale gas extraction and offshore exploration.
Algeria supplies approximately 30 percent of Italy's natural gas, primarily through the TransMed underwater pipeline.
Experts stated that the pipeline is already operating at maximum capacity, although Algeria also exports liquefied natural gas.
Italy, producing over 40 percent of its electricity from natural gas as reported by the International Energy Agency, has been in talks with different nations to substitute the LNG supplies lost from Qatar.
Qatar, which halted production following Iran's repeated assaults on its key LNG facility, typically supplies approximately 10 percent of Italy's gas imports.
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Experts informed the AFP news agency that Algeria had certain capabilities to boost its LNG exports, but not to a degree that could substitute Qatar.
The North African nation, an important provider to various EU countries like Spain, generates merely half the amount of LNG as the small Gulf nation.
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Constructing new extraction and export facilities, particularly offshore initiatives, may require several years.
Regarding the conflict in Iran that has affected worldwide oil and gas supplies, Meloni remarked that "if it continues, it could lead to major economic and social repercussions for at-risk nations in Africa."
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"The trip was arranged not yesterday, but nearly two months ago." Aldo Liga, a researcher at Ispi's Middle East and North Africa Observatory, notes that the president of Algeria invited Giorgia Meloni during a call on February 3.