Algiers decided to no longer use the pipeline that passes to its neighbor, with which diplomatic relations have been broken since the end of August.
Le Monde with AFP
The Algerian gas deliveries to Spain will now be done exclusively via the Medgaz underwater pipeline, after the decision of Algiers to abandon the pipeline currently used and which passes through Morocco, indicated Wednesday, October 27 Ministers from both countries.
Since 1996, Algeria has shivered to Spain and Portugal about 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year via the GME (Maghreb Europe gas), a gas pipeline crossing Morocco, but Algiers decided not to Return this contract, on the background of serious diplomatic crisis between the two neighbors of the Maghreb. Another pipeline, the Medgaz submarine pipeline, also runs since 2011 from Algerian gas to Spain, but it already operates at most 8 billion cubic meters per year, half of the annual Algerian exports to this country and Portugal.
The continuation of deliveries to Spain has been at the center of discussion, Wednesday in Algiers, between the Spanish Minister of the Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, in charge of energy, and the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab. Algeria is Spain’s leading supplier of natural gas.
Towards an extension of the MEDGAZ capacity
“Algeria, through the Sonatrach company, will honor its commitments with Spain on the supply of natural gas and is ready to discuss additional gas deliveries,” said Mr. Arkab, Cité by the official APS agency. “Spanish partners have been insured that Algeria will provide all planned supplies. We also committed to all deliveries through the facilities in Algeria, via the Medgaz pipeline and gas conversion complexes. “said the minister. Mr. Arkab spoke of an extension of the capacity of Medgaz and an increase in natural gas exports liquefied by the seaway.