Eni and Tunisia sign natural gas transportation agreement

Italian firm Eni and the Tunisian Government have signed an agreement for transporting Algerian natural gas through Tunisia.

The collaboration will enable Eni and Tunisia to manage and modernise the trans-Tunisian gas pipeline.

The development comes after an agreement connected to the purchase of gas and transport in the Strait of Sicily (the TPMC system) was signed with Algerian state-owned oil and gas firm Sonatrach last May.

It completes the contractual framework allowing Eni to import Algerian gas into Italy.

Under the agreement, Eni will undertake the operations of the pipeline for the next ten years through its subsidiary Trans Tunisian Pipeline Company (TTPC).

It will also ensure necessary reinvestment towards the modernisation of infrastructure and take advantage of the exclusive rights to the entire transport capacity.

The trans-Tunisian pipeline was built in the early 1980s and was subsequently developed in several phases. It consists of two lines, measuring 48in-wide and 370km-long, from the Algerian-Tunisian border near Oued Saf to the Cap Bon headland.

The pipeline also consists of five compression stations.

Capable of transporting approximately 34 billion cubic metres per annum, the pipeline contributes to the diversification of sources and the energy transition in the Italian market. It also continues to play a significant role in the Italian and Tunisian energy supply.

Operating in 67 countries worldwide, Eni is engaged in the operation of oil and gas exploration, production, refining and selling operations, electricity and chemistry.

In 2017, the Carbon Disclosure Project recognised Eni as one of the leading oil and gas companies on the Climate A-List.