Trouble in North Africa threatens Europe's fuel supplies

As revolution sweeps through the Middle East and North Africa, the region's economic stability is increasingly at risk. It took only two days for Libya to descend into full-scale civil war, and Algeria remains on high alert. While the political mayhem is a threat to Europe's post-colonial legacy, Libya and Algeria stand out from the rest due to Europe's dependence on their oil and gas resources.

Published By Datamonitor

Sonatrach: EDP alliance could finally allow European energy market penetration

Sonatrach has signed a deal with EDP that will see it supply 1.6 billion cubic meters of gas annually from 2008. The joint venture will permit Sonatrach to access the European gas market beyond the purely supply role that it currently plays, through allowing it to participate in gas-fired power generation. The agreement will also enhance EDP's position in the growing Iberian Peninsula gas market.

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EU should act now over 'gasPEC'

The recent announcement by 15 gas-exporting states, including six of the world's top 10, revealing that they are to form a permanent organization intended to stabilize prices and monitor markets does not indicate that an OPEC-style gas cartel is any closer to becoming a reality. Still, Europe cannot afford to sit on its hands forever.

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BP: a first in Algeria

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Algerian gas: a small step toward gas market liberalization

In its quest to further gas liberalization in Europe, the EU has recently reached an agreement with Algeria on the thorny issues of profit sharing mechanisms and gas resale destination clauses. Given that Algeria supplies around 15% of Europe's natural gas consumption, this represents a small but crucial step towards gas market liberalization.

Published By Datamonitor