European firms sign gas deal with Algeria

ROME – Leading energy groups from Italy, Spain and France have signed a contract with the state-owned Algerian company Sonatrach to search for gas in southeastern Algeria, the Italian group Enel said Monday.

• The consortium comprises Enel, Repsol of Spain and the French-Belgian group GDF Suez and will exploit the South East Illizi field.
• Repsol will have a 52.5 percent stake in the operation, Enel 27.5 percent and GDF Suez 20 percent.
• The Algerian company Alnaft joined Sonatrach is signing the contract.