Italy turns to Israel to free itself from Russian gas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced at a forum in Rome that Israel wants to strengthen its gas cooperation with Italy. This statement is part of Italy's drive to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and move towards more sustainable energy sources.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a forum with Italian business leaders in Rome that his country wants to develop gas cooperation with Italy. Israel is planning a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Cyprus to increase gas export capacity to Italy and Europe. This statement was welcomed by the Italian Minister of Enterprise, Adolfo Urso, who stressed the need for Italy to win the challenge of energy autonomy.

A strategic need in Italy and Europe

Since the war in Ukraine, Italy, like other European countries, has multiplied its initiatives to get out of its dependence on Russian gas. Israel has become a gas producer and exporter thanks to the discovery of several gas reservoirs off its coast in the Mediterranean. However, the lack of a pipeline to connect Israeli drilling platforms to southern European markets poses a major problem for the Hebrew state.

Alternatives for bringing Israeli gas to Europe

The EastMed project, which involves the construction of a largely undersea gas pipeline of nearly 1,900 km, is one of the options being considered to bring Israeli gas to Europe. This pipeline would connect Israel’s offshore gas fields with southern Europe via Cyprus and Greece. The gas would then be transported to Otranto, in southern Italy, via the Poseidon pipeline. However, this project is expensive and is not expected to be completed and in service until 2025-2027.

Enhanced cooperation between Israel and Italy

Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the option of creating a new liquefied natural gas terminal in Cyprus to increase Israel’s gas export capacity to Italy and Europe. The Israeli Prime Minister stressed that there is a strategic need in Italy and Europe for gas and that Israel is ready to do more in this regard. This statement was welcomed by his Italian counterpart, who said that Italy aims to become the European gas hub and that Israel must be the point of strength for gas production.

China has received its first liquefied natural gas shipment from Russia’s Portovaya facility, despite growing international sanctions targeting Russian energy exports.
Brazil’s natural gas market liberalisation has led to the migration of 13.3 million cubic metres per day, dominated by the ceramics and steel sectors, disrupting the national competitive balance.
Sasol has launched a new gas processing facility in Mozambique to secure fuel supply for the Temane thermal power plant and support the national power grid’s expansion.
With the addition of Nguya FLNG to Tango, Eni secures 3 mtpa of capacity in Congo, locking in non-Russian volumes for Italy and positioning Brazzaville within the ranks of visible African LNG exporters.
Japan’s JERA has signed a liquefied natural gas supply contract with India’s Torrent Power for four cargoes annually from 2027, marking a shift in its LNG portfolio toward South Asia.
The merger of TotalEnergies and Repsol’s UK assets into NEO NEXT+ creates a 250,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day operator, repositioning the majors in response to the UK’s fiscal regime and basin decline.
Climate requirements imposed by the European due diligence directive are complicating trade relations between the European Union and Qatar, jeopardising long-term gas supply as the global LNG market undergoes major shifts.
A report forecasts that improved industrial energy efficiency and residential electrification could significantly reduce Colombia’s need for imported gas by 2030.
Falling rig counts and surging natural gas demand are reshaping the Lower 48 energy landscape, fuelling a rebound in gas-focused mergers and acquisitions.
The Nigerian government has approved a payment of NGN185bn ($128 million) to settle debts owed to gas producers, aiming to secure electricity supply and attract new investments in the energy sector.
Riley Exploration Permian has finalised the sale of its Dovetail Midstream entity to Targa Northern Delaware for $111 million, with an additional conditional payment of up to $60 million. The deal also includes a future transfer of equipment for $10 million.
Stanwell has secured an exclusive agreement with Quinbrook for the development of the Gladstone SDA Energy Hub, combining gas turbines and long-duration battery storage to support Queensland’s electricity grid stability.
The growth of US liquefied natural gas exports could slow if rising domestic costs continue to squeeze margins, as new volumes hit an already saturated global market.
Turkmenistan is leveraging the Global Gas Centre to build commercial links in Europe and South Asia, as it responds to its current dependence on China and a shifting post-Russian gas market.
The Marmara Ereğlisi liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal operated by BOTAŞ is increasing its regasification capacity, consolidating Türkiye’s role as a regional player in gas redistribution toward the Balkans and Southeast Europe.
Budapest contests the European agreement to ban Russian natural gas imports by 2027, claiming the measure is incompatible with its economic interests and the European Union's founding treaties.
The European Union has enshrined in law a complete ban on Russian gas by 2027, forcing utilities, operators, traders and states to restructure contracts, physical flows and supply strategies under strict regulatory pressure.
The partial exploitation of associated gas from the Badila field by Perenco supplies electricity to Moundou, highlighting the logistical and financial challenges of gas development in Chad.
A new regulation requires gas companies to declare the origin, volume and duration of their contracts, as the EU prepares to end Russian imports.
Saudi Aramco has launched production at the unconventional Jafurah gas field, initiating an investment plan exceeding $100bn to substitute domestic crude and increase exportable flows under OPEC+ constraints.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.