Algerian natural gas flows to Italy and Spain set to return to normal
Natural gas flows from Algeria to Italy via the Transmed pipeline were forecast to return to normal on Friday, data from Italian transmission system operator (TSO) Snam Rete Gas show.
A fall in throughput on Thursday had been linked to a suspected halt in production at the In Amenas processing plant in the Sahara because of terrorists taking hostages at the facility (see ESGM 17 January 2013).
TSO data show imports into the Italian Mazara del Vallo entry point were expected to hit 75.3 million cubic metres (Mm³) on Friday, having dipped to 69.8Mm³ during the previous session.
Thursday's original forecast flow had been 75.2Mm³, with renomination data as late as 18:00 hours London time indicating only 62.0Mm³ would be imported. This year Transmed imports have averaged 75.3Mm³/day prior to Thursday.
Spanish imports
Data from Spanish TSO Enagás also indicated that Thursday physical flows from Morocco via the Maghreb-Tarifa pipeline - which sources its gas from Algeria - registered a 14% day-on-day dip to 22.2Mm³. This was the lowest daily import volume through the pipe since 2 December.
No drop in flows was reported along the Medgaz pipe, which links Spain directly to Algeria, however.
Friday nominations for imports into Tarifa were marked back at 25.0Mm³.
In Amenas is operated by incumbent Sonatrach, Norwegian Statoil and Britain's BP. The plant and field produce around 24.6Mm³/day. TMM/SM/RS
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