Summary:

On 27 March 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Algiers to strengthen energy cooperation with Algeria amid disruptions in Italy’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar due to Iranian drone and missile strikes.  

Meloni and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune highlighted collaboration between Italy’s Eni and Algeria’s Sonatrach, including potential development of shale gas and offshore exploration to increase future gas flows to Italy. Both leaders emphasized Algeria’s commitment to supporting Italy in oil and gas markets, although no specifics on timing or volumes of additional supplies were provided.  

Italy’s intention to strengthen its partnership with Algeria was previously highlighted by Rome’s Energy Minister, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, who noted that the country is negotiating with multiple states, including Algeria, to compensate for lost deliveries from Qatar, signaling broader efforts to diversify its gas supply sources

Outlook: 

At a time when the international fuel market is experiencing rising prices and disrupted supply chains due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Algeria appears poised to play a key role given its significant gas production capacity.  

The visit could also signal Algeria’s potential to expand gas exports to Italy and advance supply chains to Europe, not only because of its geographic proximity but also due to the extensive Mediterranean pipeline network, including the Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline, which passes through Tunisia to Italy, and the Maghreb–Europe Gas Pipeline, connecting Algeria to Spain via Almería. 

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