Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, and Slim Feriani, the Tunisian Minister of Industry, have signed a new agreement to transport Algerian natural gas through Tunisia
The agreement follows those reached with Sonatrach last May in connection with the purchase of gas and transport in the Strait of Sicily (the TPMC system) and completes the contractual framework allowing Eni to import Algerian gas into Italy.
With this agreement, Eni undertakes to operate the pipeline for the next 10 years through its subsidiary Trans Tunisian Pipeline Company (TTPC), ensuring the necessary reinvestment to modernise infrastructure and taking advantage of the exclusive rights to the entire transport capacity.
Built-in the early 1980s and subsequently reinforced over several phases, the trans-Tunisian pipeline consists of two lines, 48 inches wide and about 370 km long, from the Algerian-Tunisian border near Oued Saf to the Cap Bon headland, as well as five compression stations. With a transport capacity of approximately 34bn cubic meters per year, it plays a vital role in Italian and Tunisian energy supply and will continue to do so.
It contributes to the diversification of sources and to the energy transition in the Italian market.
Finally, the agreement represents further confirmation of Eni’s long-standing commitment to North African countries, not only in hydrocarbon exploration and production but also in the management of transport infrastructure, the marketing of petroleum products, the chemical sector and renewable energy production.
