Morocco Accuses Algeria of Obstructing Spain Gas Deal Amid Regional Tensions

On February 2, the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition announced that it had responded favorably to Morocco’s request to "transparently purchase natural gas liquefied (LNG) on international markets, transform it in a regasification plant and transport it to its territory through the Maghreb pipeline."

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

The news angered Algeria, which broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in August and closed the GME a few months later. "Four months after the closure of the GME, experience shows that instead of harming Morocco’s interests, the Algerian regime has shot itself in the foot," analyzes Le360, specifying that the portion of this gas pipeline that crosses Morocco, which has become the exclusive property of the kingdom, has been well maintained since the end of October.

To read: article 91246

Since the closure of the GME, Algeria has been struggling to meet Spain’s gas demand. According to Enagas data, the United States has become Spain’s top supplier ahead of Algeria, with 13,103 GWh of LNG in January 2022, or 34.6% of Spain’s total consumption.