Algeria warned Spain, on Wednesday, that any diversion of exported gas, “which has a destination other than those stipulated in the contract,” would mean a breach of the contract, according to the Algerian Ministry of Mines and Energy.
The reference is understood as a direct reference to Morocco, a country with which Algerian bilateral relations are undergoing a period of great tension, and with which Spain has signed a pledge under which the Kingdom will help “reconvert natural gas” into natural gas. Gas (liquefied natural gas, transported by ship) and returned to Moroccan territory via the currently unused Maghreb-European gas pipeline.
The information was provided by the official agency of the North African country. The Algerian Minister of Mines and Energy, Mohamed Arkab, said in a statement that he had received today “by an email, from his Spanish counterpart, Teresa Ribera, Spain’s decision to allow the exploitation of the Maghreb European region in a reverse flow.” Gas Pipeline (GME)”.
GME, which had been supplying gas to Spain and Portugal through Moroccan territory, ended in October 2021, when a 25-year contract expired, in full tension between Algeria and Morocco.
Algeria said that “the operation (which Spain requested to use the Greater Middle East) will take place today or tomorrow [sexta-feira]”.
“The quantities of Algerian natural gas delivered to Spain whose destination is other than those stipulated in the contracts are considered a breach of contractual obligations, and therefore may lead to a breach of the contract binding on Sonatrach. [empresa petrolífera estatal da Argélia] to its Spanish clients.
Algeria is Spain’s main gas supplier, a major energy exporter at a time when the crisis in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has prompted the European Union to consider suspending its gas purchases from Russia.
