LNegotiations are complete and we will soon sign an agreement”announced Toufik Hakkar, executive director of the Algerian public company, without revealing details or a precise date, indicates the Spanish press agency EFE.
As for a possible increase in the volume of exports to the Spanish market, the Algerian official assured that the Medgaz gas pipeline, which connects the two countries by the Mediterranean with a capacity of eleven billion cubic meters per year, is exploited at its capacity maximum, filling “the contracts with the Spanish part at 100%”.
“We are not going to increase it, otherwise it will require new investments and new gas pipelines”he pointed out.
After Algeria suspended the Maghreb Europe (GME) gas pipeline, which crosses Moroccan territory, Medgaz is now the only gas pipeline available.
The other agreements entered into by Sonatrach concern “the increase in the quantity of gas intended for its customers, mainly Italy”we learn from the EFE agency.
As part of the strategy to end Russian dependence, several agreements were concluded on Wednesday with the Italian gas company Enel. Agreements qualified as “best formula capable of contributing to the stability of supply”by representatives of the Italian company.
Algeria, the world’s tenth largest gas producer, has positioned itself as the main alternative gas supplier to Russian fuel following Italy agreed with Algiers on an additional 25 billion cubic meters of gas by the end of the year. end of the year.
On the Spanish side, Algiers is still at a diplomatic quarrel with Madrid, because of its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan concerning the conflict in the Sahara.
