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.

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.

The commissioning of LNG Canada, the first major Canadian liquefied natural gas export facility led by Shell, has not yet triggered the anticipated rise in natural gas prices in western Canada, still facing persistent oversupply.
Horizon Petroleum Ltd. is advancing towards the production launch of the Lachowice 7 gas well in Poland, having secured necessary permits and completed preliminary works to commence operations as early as next August.
European Union member states have requested to keep their national strategies for phasing out Russian gas by 2027 confidential, citing security concerns and market disruption risks, according to a document revealed by Reuters.
TotalEnergies becomes a member of PJM Interconnection, expanding its trading capabilities in North America's largest wholesale electricity market. The decision strengthens the company's presence in the United States.
Turkey has connected its gas grid to Syria’s and plans to begin supplying gas for power generation in the coming weeks, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
Despite record electricity demand, China sees no significant increase in LNG purchases due to high prices and available alternative supplies.
US natural gas production and consumption are expected to reach record highs in 2025, before slightly declining the following year, according to the latest forecasts from the US Energy Information Administration.
Naftogaz announces the launch of a natural gas well with a daily output of 383,000 cubic meters, amid a sharp decline in Ukrainian production following several military strikes on its strategic facilities.
Sonatrach and ENI have signed a $1.35 billion production-sharing agreement aiming to extract 415 million barrels of hydrocarbons in Algeria's Berkine basin, strengthening energy ties between Algiers and Rome.
Maple Creek Energy is soliciting proposals for its advanced 1,300 MW gas project in MISO Zone 6, targeting long-term contracts and strategic co-location partnerships with accelerated connection to the regional power grid.
VMOS signs a USD 2 billion loan to finance the construction of the Vaca Muerta South pipeline, aiming to boost Argentina's energy production while reducing costly natural gas imports.
According to a Wood Mackenzie report, Argentina could achieve daily gas production of 180 million cubic metres per day by 2040, aiming to become a key regional supplier and a significant exporter of liquefied natural gas.
Côte d'Ivoire and the Italian group Eni assess progress on the Baleine energy project, whose third phase plans a daily production of 150,000 barrels of oil and 200 million cubic feet of gas for the Ivorian domestic market.
The extreme heatwave in China has led to a dramatic rise in electricity consumption, while Asia records a significant drop in liquefied natural gas imports amid a tight global energy context.
E.ON, together with MM Neuss, commissions Europe’s first fully automated cogeneration plant, capable of achieving a 91 % fuel-use rate and cutting CO₂ emissions by 22 000 t a year.
Facing the lowest temperatures recorded in 30 years, the Argentine government announces reductions in natural gas supply to industries to meet the exceptional rise in residential energy demand across the country.
Solar power generation increased sharply in the United States in June, significantly reducing natural gas consumption in the power sector, despite relatively stable overall electricity demand.
Golden Pass LNG, jointly owned by Exxon Mobil and QatarEnergy, has asked US authorities for permission to re-export liquefied natural gas starting October 1, anticipating the imminent launch of its operations in Texas.
Delfin Midstream reserves gas turbine manufacturing capacity with Siemens Energy and initiates an early works programme with Samsung Heavy Industries, ahead of its anticipated final investment decision in the autumn.
Norwegian group DNO ASA signs gas offtake contract with ENGIE and secures USD 500 million financing from a major US bank to guarantee future revenues from its Norwegian gas production.