Three European Countries Move to Increase Imports of Algerian Gas
Three European countries are looking to increase their imports of Algerian gas as part of broader efforts to diversify supply sources and secure their energy needs, amid ongoing shifts in the European gas trade landscape.
The countries involved are the Czech Republic, France and Germany, although each is pursuing a different approach to cooperation with Algeria. Prague is seeking to double the volumes covered by its existing contract with Algeria, while Paris has requested increased supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the earliest opportunity. Berlin, meanwhile, is preparing to receive additional volumes under an agreement between Algeria’s state-owned energy company Sonatrach and its German counterpart, VNG, according to specialist energy news outlet Attaqa.
Algeria is strengthening its position in the European market through exports delivered via pipelines and shipments of liquefied natural gas, as well as its contractual relationships with several European energy companies.
In this context, the Czech government announced on Tuesday, October 27, that Prague wants to double the volume of gas it imports from Algeria under a contract between Czech energy company ČEZ and Sonatrach, increasing annual supplies from 200 million cubic metres to 400 million cubic metres.
The two companies signed the agreement in 2024 as part of the Czech Republic’s efforts to diversify its energy supplies and reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
The announcement followed a two-day visit to Algeria by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Industry Minister Karel Havlíček. The Czech News Agency quoted Havlíček as saying on Monday evening, October 26, that the delegation had received an initial commitment from Algerian officials to expand the agreement.
The Czech government provided no further details on when the increase would take effect or on the commercial terms involved.
In France, informed sources told Attaqa that Paris had asked Algeria to increase oil and LNG shipments as soon as possible, as part of efforts to secure additional supplies amid disruptions affecting global energy markets.
