Algeria To Supply EU With Extra Gas Amid Russia's Invasion

Algeria is ready to provide the EU with more gas amid the potential of a decline due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Sonatrach CEO Toufik Hakkar said on Sunday that his firm was ready to pump additional gas to the EU from its surplus via the Trans-Mediterranean (Transmed) pipeline linking Algeria to Italy.

“Sonatrach is a reliable gas supplier for the European market and is willing to support its long term partners in the event of difficult situations.

"Europe is the natural market of choice for Algerian gas, which accounts for about 11% of Europe's gas imports", he stated.

Hakkar also said this would be contingent on the availability of a surplus of gas or liquified natural gas (LNG) once the national demand and contractual engagements are met.

The Daily Sabah cited him pointing to an unused capacity in the Transmed pipeline that could be used to increase the supplies to the European market.

The Transmed pipeline, which is jointly operated with Italy's ENI, has a capacity of some 32 million cubic meters per year.