Algeria-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project Challenges Morocco’s European Energy Route

The Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, and the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timbrie Silva, discussed the project to build an Algeria-Niger-Nigeria gas pipeline during a recent meeting, the Algerian Ministry of Energy said in a statement. "During the exchange, the two ministers discussed the cooperation and partnership relations between the two countries in the energy sector and the prospects for strengthening them," the statement said.

To read: Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project Gains Momentum Amid European Energy Crisis

The Nigerian Energy Minister had announced last September that Nigeria was preparing to launch the construction of a gas pipeline to transport gas to Europe via Algeria. The technical studies of the project are completed and it only remains the feasibility study to start the work, assured Tawfik Hakkar, the CEO of the Algerian company for hydrocarbons, Sonatrach.

To read: Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project Advances with New Financing Agreements

The two countries have started negotiations on the project against a backdrop of a global gas crisis caused by the escalation of tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine. Algeria is currently unable to supplement Russia if the latter stopped supplying gas to Europe due to the Ukrainian crisis, argues a former CEO of Sonatrach at the Anadolu Agency (AA).

To read: Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline Project Advances as Morocco Completes Key Preparations

In 2021, Algeria produced around 130 billion cubic meters of gas, according to official data. It currently supplies gas to Europe via two pipelines connecting it to Italy and Spain, the third pipeline, the GME crossing Morocco, having been closed since late November.