The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Europe is trying its best to innovate.natural gassource to changeRussiaThe supply of natural gas is increasing rapidly in countries like Congo, Azerbaijan and Algeria. These “unexpected winners” are redrawing the global energy map.
ItalyEnergy company Eni and Algeria’s state-owned energy company went to Bir Reba, located in the Sahara desert about 500 miles southeast of the capital of Algiers, and drilled dozens of oil wells. Within a few months, natural gas was produced from the undeveloped oil field. It is sent to Europe through three pipelines under the Mediterranean Sea.
Algeria was also Italy’s largest natural gas supplier. In the past decade, it was difficult for Algeria to enter the European market because Russian natural gas giant Gazprom had driven down prices. But now, it has almost completely replaced Italy’s natural gas imports from Russia. Italy also wants to export some part of it to its northern neighbors Austria, Germany and other countries. The Italian government has recently accelerated the construction of new pipelines.
According to Algerian officials, 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas could be exported this year, equivalent to 65% of the approximately 160 billion cubic meters of natural gas the EU imported from Russia in 2021 before the war.
In the Caucasus, a consortium led by BP is working to increase production in Azerbaijan, where natural gas could be shipped to Italy via a 2,100-mile pipeline. Azerbaijani officials said they have fulfilled their promise to double the amount of natural gas supplied to Europe by 2027, ahead of schedule.
Eni is also close to producing liquefied natural gas from a facility on the Congolese coast.
Europe expects the next three years to be the most difficult period for natural gas supplies. After the Nord Stream gas pipeline was damaged last September, Europe hopes new sources of natural gas will help drive down prices and replace more expensive gas from the United States and Qatar.
Some European lawmakers worry that increased reliance on Algeria and Azerbaijan could leave the latter at the mercy of authoritarian countries. But Roberto Cingolani, Italy’s former environment minister, who helped lead Italy’s response to the energy crisis when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, said the best policy is to “reduce the risks of anyone using natural gas.” Have as many suppliers as possible to reduce costs.” “Leverage in Geopolitical Conflicts.” Instrumental Risk”.
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