Rabat – Spanish gas operator Enagas on Wednesday launched the natural gas flow from Spain to Morocco through the Maghreb-Europe Gas pipeline (MEG), stressing that the gas is not Algerian.
“A certification process guarantees that this gas is not of Algerian origin,” said Enagas spokesperson.
In April, Algeria expressed its concerns over Spain re-exporting the country’s gas supplies to Morocco after Spain’s Minister of Energy Teresa Ribera confirmed her country’s plans to reverse the flow of the MEG pipeline and begin exportation of natural gas to Morocco.
The ongoing energy crisis induced by the war in Ukraine has put increasing pressure on the Moroccan energy bill, pushing the North African country to look for alternatives, particularly after Algeria last year decided to not renew its commitment to the MEG deal.
The decision led to the closure of the transcontinental pipeline, impacting both Morocco and Spain with the two countries meeting part of their gas demand from the pipeline.
In February, Morocco reported its plans to enter the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) market after opening an international tender.
Read Also: Morocco Determined to Strengthen Its Gas Infrastructure
As Morocco lacks gas infrastructure, the country turned to its diplomatic and economic partner Spain to benefit from the Iberian degasification plants. According to reports, Morocco would purchase LNG from the international market. The gas will be imported by Spain where it will degasify before entering Morocco through the MEG pipeline.
This June, Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition Leila Benali reported the coming signing of the first LNG purchase contract. Details on potential contractors are yet to be announced. However, Qatar and the US remain, strong candidates, as they are considered leading players in the LNG market.
Benali also noted that the government is setting up a committee to examine tender offers and “accelerate the procedure of review and negotiation with international companies.”
