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Spain's Naturgy agrees Algerian gas rate as outlook beats forecasts

Spain's Naturgy said it had reached a price contract with its Algerian gas supplier and provided a consensusbeating earnings outlook for the year on Tuesday as the power company aims to proceed from a. stopped working takeover effort.

Naturgy stated it was dealing with a brand-new strategic plan through. 2030 after its largest shareholder Criteria and Abu Dhabi's TAQA. in June called off talks over a joint takeover bid.

Chairman Francisco Reynes also stated that biomethane will. play a crucial role in Naturgy's brand-new tactical strategy

The company said it had actually concurred a deal on 2023 and 2024. rates for gas supply with Algerian state oil and gas group. Sonatrach, which showed present market conditions.

We have actually been able to negotiate reasonable conditions for. both celebrations, which suggests eliminating the uncertainty of. continuing 6 more months with open rates, Reynes informed. reporters, adding that a prepare for a three-year price settlement. had been impossible due to market volatility. Both companies are. excited to go back to three-year agreements when markets relax,. he included.

Reynes explained the relationship with Sonatrach, which has. a stake of about 4% in Naturgy, as satisfactory and dependable.

Naturgy has gas contracts with Sonatrach for about 5 billion. cubic metres (bcm) each year. The parties were negotiating prices. for 2023, retroactively, and 2024 as gas costs have sunk because. peaking in late 2022 at the height of the energy crisis.

Algerian gas comprised 37% of Spain's overall imports in the. initially half of 2024, data from gas grid operator Enagas reveals.

Most of the supply comes by means of the Medgaz pipeline in which. Naturgy is a minority partner and Sonatrach holds a 51% stake.

Although gas and energy costs have actually dropped, Naturgy's. first-half net profit just dipped a little by 0.2%, to 1.04. billion euros ($ 1.13 billion).

This led the business to forecast net earnings of more than 1.8. billion euros this year and core profits - before interest,. tax, devaluation and amortisation - above 5.3 billion euros,. both exceeding market expectations.

It had formerly not provided guidance, mentioning the volatility. of energy markets and the weather condition.

Naturgy's shares were up 0.8% at 1234 GMT, while Spain's. blue-chip IBEX 35 index was up 0.3%.

(source: Reuters)