Latest News

Naturgy says gas supply agreements with Algeria unaffected by any shareholding modification

Spanish energy firm Naturgy said on Tuesday that its gas supply contracts with Algeria do not consist of any provisions that would be impacted by changes to its shareholding structure.

The remarks followed a source told that Algeria would cancel deliveries of gas to Naturgy if the Spanish company's. shares are offered to another business.

The source did not call the firm that might purchase Naturgy's. shares, but Abu Dhabi's TAQA stated last month it was in. conversations with Naturgy's three biggest investors which. might result in a full takeover quote for the biggest gas. firm in Spain.

There have never been any stipulations in the supply contracts. ( the current contracts expire in 2030/31) that were impacted by. possible changes in the shareholding of either celebration, a. spokesperson told .

In truth, such shareholder modifications have taken place in the past. and have actually had no impact on the contracts' performance, he added.

Algeria's ties with the United Arab Emirates, of which Abu. Dhabi is the capital, have actually suffered over the last few years after the. UAE and Morocco were amongst Arab states increasing ties with Israel. in the so-called Abraham Accords. Algeria and Morocco are major. regional rivals, while Algeria champs the Palestinian cause. and was crucial of the accords.

Spokespeople for Spain's energy, economy and foreign. ministries decreased to comment on the possibility of Algerian. gas products being cut. Agents for Algeria's federal government. were not immediately readily available to comment. TAQA stated it does. not discuss market rumour or speculation while the UAE. federal government did not reply to a request for remark.

Naturgy has gas agreements with Algerian state oil and gas. business Sonatrach for about 5 billion cubic metres (bcm) per. year, according to figures the Spanish business offered to the. market in 2022. The parties are working out prices for 2023,. retroactively, and 2024.

Algerian gas comprised roughly one-third of Spain's overall gas. imports in the first 3 months of the year, according to information. from Spanish gas grid operator Enagas.

The bulk of the supply comes by means of the Medgaz pipeline, in. which Naturgy is a minority partner and Sonatrach holds a 51%. stake. Sonatrach likewise has a stake of about 4% in Naturgy.

Naturgy hailed its more than 50-year-old relationship with. Sonatrach.

Throughout all these years, there have actually been no breaches by. either celebration. Not even in politically delicate times on both. sides of the Mediterranean have the agreements not been. honoured, it stated.

TAQA stated last month it remained in talks with personal equity. companies CVC and GIP about buying each of their 20% plus stakes in. Naturgy, and likewise with Naturgy's largest investor Criteria,. which owns a 26.7% stake, about a possible collaboration. Requirements decreased to discuss the future of Algerian gas. deliveries.

(source: Reuters)