Algeria Considers Reopening Key Gas Pipeline to Europe Amid Energy Concerns

"Some signs indicate the resumption of supply through the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline (GME) that serves Spain via Morocco," speculate some Algerian media, who believe that this reopening is "essential for the reactivation of the MidCat pipeline" that connects Spain to France. The project was launched in 2013 before being abandoned, due to a lack of agreement on its financing and real support from France. It was also "not economically viable," according to Teresa Ribera, the Minister of Ecological Transition.

"Should we see in this surprising announcement of the reopening of the GME a link with the trip, last Friday, of an official plane of the Spanish Executive to Algeria?" wondered German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, recently mentioning "the short-term strategy of his country to cope with dependence on Russian gas". The Algerian media link this announcement of the reopening of the GME to the upcoming visit to Algiers of French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled for August 25.

The Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing Morocco was closed at the end of October 2021 by Algeria. Since then, Morocco has turned the page on Algerian gas and found a solution to supply itself with natural gas by relying on reliable partners such as the United States. Last June, the first deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchased by Morocco on the international market and processed in Spanish regasification plants were recorded in the kingdom via the GME in the reverse direction.