popular articles

France Reassesses MidCat

France says it is ready to reassess its opposition to the MidCat project, a gas pipeline project linking the Iberian Peninsula to France. In a context of energy crisis, Spain, Portugal and Germany are pushing for the project to be completed.

Please share:

France says it is ready to reassess its opposition to the MidCat project, a gas pipeline through the Pyrenees. As the energy crisis continues, the MidCat project is back in the spotlight. Spain is pushing to revive the project.

France ready to support MidCat?

Besides Spain, Portugal supports the project. Faced with opposition from France, Lisbon approached Italy to find an alternative to MidCat. However, the French opposition may not last.

Tiago Antunes, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, met with Laurence Boone, French Minister Delegate for Europe. Following this interview, he states:

“The reaction I got from [la France] was that she was willing to look at MidCat again with fresh eyes, an open mind, taking into account the arguments of Portugal, Spain and also Germany.”

A few weeks ago, Emmanuel Macron declared his opposition to MidCat. In his opinion, such a project is not necessary. He justifies himself by referring to the two gas pipelines linking the Iberian Peninsula to France. These are underutilized and the flows are mainly to Spain.

A project revived by the energy crisis

According to T. Antunes, the project has been revived by the energy crisis. Thus, the “geostrategic risks” resulting from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia strengthen the proposal of Spain, Portugal and Germany.

Following its meeting with Laurance Boone, Portugal hopes for a change in France’s position. T. Antunes comments:

“We hope that with a new evaluation of the project (by France), and taking into account the new circumstances, it will be concluded that it is worthwhile and should go ahead.”

Indeed, MidCat could prove important in the context of the energy crisis. It could more than double the volume of gas transported by pipeline between Spain and France. Launched in 2013, it was suspended in 2019 for reasons of economic but also environmental sustainability.

In addition, according to Portugal, MidCat could also transport renewable gases such as renewable hydrogen.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Siemens Energy has secured a $1.6 billion contract to supply technologies for the Rumah 2 and Nairyah 2 gas power plants in Saudi Arabia. These facilities will add 3.6 gigawatts to the national grid and include 25-year maintenance agreements.
BP has confirmed the cessation of a gas leak at the offshore Grand Tortue Ahmeyim field, located between Senegal and Mauritania. The incident, identified on 19 February at one of the site’s wells, required technical interventions to restore the integrity of the installations.
BP has confirmed the cessation of a gas leak at the offshore Grand Tortue Ahmeyim field, located between Senegal and Mauritania. The incident, identified on 19 February at one of the site’s wells, required technical interventions to restore the integrity of the installations.
The United States reactivates a major loan for TotalEnergies' Mozambique LNG project, stalled since 2021 due to a jihadist attack. The funding should enable a market-anticipated restart by 2030.
The United States reactivates a major loan for TotalEnergies' Mozambique LNG project, stalled since 2021 due to a jihadist attack. The funding should enable a market-anticipated restart by 2030.
ExxonMobil has signed a 20-year contract with ARC Resources for LNG supply from the Cedar LNG project, linked to JKM. The deal marks a significant step in global LNG pricing.
ExxonMobil has signed a 20-year contract with ARC Resources for LNG supply from the Cedar LNG project, linked to JKM. The deal marks a significant step in global LNG pricing.
Facing a drop in domestic production, Egypt plans to lease a floating natural gas liquefaction unit in Germany to secure its energy supply.
Africa will experience the fastest growth in natural gas demand by 2050, driven by urbanisation and the need to address the energy deficit, according to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in its report of March 10, 2025.
Africa will experience the fastest growth in natural gas demand by 2050, driven by urbanisation and the need to address the energy deficit, according to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in its report of March 10, 2025.
Under pressure from US sanctions, Iraq explores alternatives to Iranian gas to secure its electricity supply, notably turning to Qatar and Oman, while considering the installation of floating LNG terminals.
Under pressure from US sanctions, Iraq explores alternatives to Iranian gas to secure its electricity supply, notably turning to Qatar and Oman, while considering the installation of floating LNG terminals.
In the context of growing trade tensions with the United States, the European Union strengthens its imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
In the context of growing trade tensions with the United States, the European Union strengthens its imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
Qatar has started supplying natural gas to Syria via Jordan in order to alleviate electricity shortages and support the rebuilding of the country's energy infrastructure.
Cameroon has announced the upcoming construction of two gas-fired power plants totaling 500 MW in Bekoko and Douala under public-private partnerships, contingent upon gas supply assurances from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation.
Cameroon has announced the upcoming construction of two gas-fired power plants totaling 500 MW in Bekoko and Douala under public-private partnerships, contingent upon gas supply assurances from the National Hydrocarbons Corporation.
NextDecade signs agreement with Baker Hughes for equipment supply and maintenance services related to five new liquefaction units at Rio Grande LNG terminal, significantly boosting U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity.
NextDecade signs agreement with Baker Hughes for equipment supply and maintenance services related to five new liquefaction units at Rio Grande LNG terminal, significantly boosting U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered an investigation into alleged price speculation by local gas suppliers in response to price spikes reaching up to 36%, and announced a new import agreement with Qatar.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered an investigation into alleged price speculation by local gas suppliers in response to price spikes reaching up to 36%, and announced a new import agreement with Qatar.
Iran invests $17 billion to counteract declining reservoir pressure at South Pars, a gas field shared with Qatar, securing estimated reserves equivalent to around 363 billion barrels of oil.
U.S. authorities grant an additional five years to Delfin LNG's project to export liquefied natural gas to non-free trade agreement countries, reviving a venture delayed by the pandemic and trade tensions.
U.S. authorities grant an additional five years to Delfin LNG's project to export liquefied natural gas to non-free trade agreement countries, reviving a venture delayed by the pandemic and trade tensions.
BP has confirmed a gas leak at a well in the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, located off the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania. The British operator states that repairs are underway and that the environmental impact remains limited.
BP has confirmed a gas leak at a well in the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) project, located off the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania. The British operator states that repairs are underway and that the environmental impact remains limited.
US President Donald Trump has announced an Alaska pipeline project to transport natural gas to the Asian market, with ongoing discussions for partnerships with Japan and South Korea.
US President Donald Trump has announced an Alaska pipeline project to transport natural gas to the Asian market, with ongoing discussions for partnerships with Japan and South Korea.
A gas leak has been identified at the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) site, which has been operational since late December, off the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania. BP states that the situation is under control and poses no risk to the environment or workers.
Donald Trump confirmed his intention to finalise a major pipeline project in Alaska, aiming to supply natural gas to Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. The project, one of the largest in the world, could strengthen the region's energy supply.
Donald Trump confirmed his intention to finalise a major pipeline project in Alaska, aiming to supply natural gas to Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea. The project, one of the largest in the world, could strengthen the region's energy supply.
In 2024, France maintained its position as the leading importer of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Europe, despite an overall decline in its gas consumption.
In 2024, France maintained its position as the leading importer of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Europe, despite an overall decline in its gas consumption.
The Irish government has greenlit the construction of an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, a key infrastructure to ensure the country's energy security in case of supply disruptions.
The Irish government has greenlit the construction of an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, a key infrastructure to ensure the country's energy security in case of supply disruptions.
In February 2025, US LNG exports to Europe reached a historic high, with the UK as the top importing country, as demand for natural gas continues to grow in the European market.
ChampionX announced that its Aerial Optical Gas Imaging (AOGI) platform has received EPA approval for the alternative methane testing method, enabling operators to better monitor fugitive methane emissions.
ChampionX announced that its Aerial Optical Gas Imaging (AOGI) platform has received EPA approval for the alternative methane testing method, enabling operators to better monitor fugitive methane emissions.
Enbridge Inc. highlights a series of investments aimed at enhancing its energy capacity, with a solid growth vision through 2030, while maintaining an attractive return for its shareholders.
Enbridge Inc. highlights a series of investments aimed at enhancing its energy capacity, with a solid growth vision through 2030, while maintaining an attractive return for its shareholders.
Algerian public company Sonelgaz will build a 40 MW power plant in Niger as part of a project aimed at strengthening energy cooperation between the two countries, following a memorandum of understanding signed in late February.
Algerian public company Sonelgaz will build a 40 MW power plant in Niger as part of a project aimed at strengthening energy cooperation between the two countries, following a memorandum of understanding signed in late February.

Advertising