In view of its position as first gas power in the Mediterranean, Algeria is with Russia and Norway one of the main suppliers of natural gas to Europe.
With gas reserves estimated at 4500 billion cubic metres, Algeria will continue to play this leading role which it started playing about forty years ago.
Two gas pipelines “Enrico Mattei” et “Pedro Duran Farell” are linking Algeria to Europe via Italy and Spain.
The export capacities which now reach 38 billion m3 through gas pipelines and about 27 billion m3 in liquefied form (LNG) are to increase to a total of 85 billion cubic metres by 2010.
The increase in gas exports to Europe will be made possible with the strengthened capacities of the Enrico Mattei gas pipeline (from 26 to 32.5 billion cubic metres) and the construction of two new gas pipelines: Medgaz which will be completed in 2009 and will supply 8 billion cubic metres of Algerian natural gas to Spain and Galsi which will link in 2011 Algeria to Italy via Sardinia and supply 8 billion cubic metres in a first phase.
Algeria’s natural gas sales to Europe account for about 98% of its total gas exports, i.e. 62 billion cubic metres.
Algeria currently ensures 30% of European Union natural gas imports behind Russia with 40% and ahead of Norway with 25%.