Algeria to Increase its Gas Exports
Media Line News Agency
January 13, 2009
If its export contracts allow it then Algeria intends to increase gas exports to Western Europe, the Algerian daily newspaper Elkhabar reported.
Algeria currently provides an estimated 12 percent of all gas imports to Europe both through pipelines under the Mediterranean Sea to Spain and Italy where the gas remains in gas form, and on ships carrying the gas in liquefied form.
The export of gas and oil products accounts for 98 percent of Algeria´s total exports.
In addition to the gas it imports from Algeria, Europe imports the bulk of its gas from Russia through pipelines running through Ukraine. However, Russia last week decided to halt all exports through Ukraine due to claims that Kiev has not been paying its bills to Russia.
Contracts for gas exports usually run over long periods of time, such as 20 years, compared to oil contracts, which normally run for six months so the room to maneuver is much smaller.
Meanwhile, the Algerian-based company, Sonatrach, is currently negotiating with Dutch liquefied natural gas terminal operator 4Gas regarding a stake in the so-called LionGas re-gasification terminal in the Dutch port city, Rotterdam. The terminal is meant to turn the gas back into gas form after it has been transported by ship in liquid form.
Algeria currently provides an estimated 12 percent of all gas imports to Europe both through pipelines under the Mediterranean Sea to Spain and Italy where the gas remains in gas form, and on ships carrying the gas in liquefied form.
The export of gas and oil products accounts for 98 percent of Algeria´s total exports.
In addition to the gas it imports from Algeria, Europe imports the bulk of its gas from Russia through pipelines running through Ukraine. However, Russia last week decided to halt all exports through Ukraine due to claims that Kiev has not been paying its bills to Russia.
Contracts for gas exports usually run over long periods of time, such as 20 years, compared to oil contracts, which normally run for six months so the room to maneuver is much smaller.
Meanwhile, the Algerian-based company, Sonatrach, is currently negotiating with Dutch liquefied natural gas terminal operator 4Gas regarding a stake in the so-called LionGas re-gasification terminal in the Dutch port city, Rotterdam. The terminal is meant to turn the gas back into gas form after it has been transported by ship in liquid form.
Print
Email
