Eni, Sonatrach Sign MoU to Develop Green Hydrogen
Eni S.p.A.
Eni, an Italian energy company, and Sonatrach, an Algerian oil company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to speed up the development of gas resources and green hydrogen in Algeria to boost gas exports to Italy.
The deal was signed yesterday in Rome's Palazzo Chigi, where Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was for an official visit to meet President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Eni wrote, "The memorandum represents a further step to strengthen energy cooperation between Italy and Algeria and aligns with Eni’s strategy of diversification of energy sources towards decarbonisation."
Since 1981, Eni has had a presence in Algeria. The Transmed pipeline began transporting Algerian gas to the Italian coastline in Sicily in 1983.
According to Eni, the estimated gas production quantities total three billion cubic metres (bcm) per year, which will boost Algeria's export capability to Italy via the Transmed pipeline.
The Memorandum also mentions a green hydrogen pilot project in the Algerian desert at Bir Rebaa North.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Eni and Sonatrach agreed to raise Transmed gas shipments by nine billion cubic metres per year by 2023-24.
The group encouraged the government to stop prioritising gas diversification by purchasing fossil fuels and instead invest in renewables.
Source: EURACTIV
