Italy is looking to increase natural gas supply from Algeria and limit dependency from Russia as sanctions from the West could result in gas supply being disrupted. The oil-rich nation of Algeria currently transports 60 million cubic meters (mcm) of natural gas to Italy via the Transmed pipeline and is estimated to have more than 110 mcm capacity. Italian Foreign Minister, H.E. Luigi Di Maio has stated that “Algeria will support Italy in supplying gas, our partnership will become stronger both in the short term and the medium and long term.”
Concerns over Russia’s gas supply has also led to European countries such as Poland and Lithuania to venture in opening a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) pipeline- Gas Interconnection Poland Lithuania (GLIP), which is set to operate ahead of schedule. The GIPL pipeline will be operational from May 1st, 2022, linking the Polish grid to Lithuania’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal. An estimated 2.4 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas is set to boost Poland’s LNG imports.
The global response to price increases, gas shortages and blackouts because of the Ukraine war, has countries seeking alternative oil supply.
