Algeria Warns Spain Against Gas Re-exports to Morocco Amid Supply Tensions

Algerian Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab reiterated during a telephone conversation with his Spanish counterpart, Teresa Ribera, his country’s determination to honor its gas supply commitments. Since the closure of the Maghreb-Europe (GME) pipeline crossing Morocco at the end of October, Algeria has been supplying gas to Spain via Medgaz, a pipeline that directly connects the two countries. Due to its more limited capacity than the GME, Algeria is also sending liquefied gas to fully meet Spanish demand.

Read: article 90604

In this gas supply contract, Algeria has clearly emphasized to Spain that not a drop of its gas should reach Morocco. Spain’s decision to supply gas to Morocco via the GME, announced by Ribera on February 2, has therefore provoked the anger of Algeria, which broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in August. However, the Spanish authorities claim that there has never been any question of sending Algerian gas to Rabat.

Read: article 90274

"The transfer of Spanish gas to Morocco via the Maghreb-Europe pipeline requires a minor technical adaptation of the gas network, and an agreement between Enagás and its Moroccan counterpart to establish the technical rules for operating the pipeline," explain sources at Enagás to El Mundo. It is actually a matter of transporting liquefied gas purchased on the international market to Morocco via the GME, after having it transformed in the regasification plants in Spain. Given the current context marked by the Ukrainian crisis, it will be difficult to materialize this project, as Algeria is becoming an alternative for Europe in terms of gas supply.

Read: Algeria Considers Boosting Gas Exports to Europe Amid Ukraine Crisis

For the moment, the Spanish, Algerian and Moroccan authorities are considering the possibility of reactivating the GME in the face of the Ukrainian crisis. The pipeline’s facilities have been maintained and it would be easy to restore, the same sources estimate.