Brussels, 20/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - An explosion, probably an act of sabotage according to the Tunisian Council of Ministers, has rocked the Transmed gas pipeline which runs from Algeria, through Tunisia, to Italy. No injury or loss of life and no material damage was recorded following this act which took place in Tunisia. Algerian media report that “exports of gas to Italy are flowing as normal and have not been affected”.
Italy imports nearly 40% of its natural gas needs from Algeria, through the Transmed pipeline, which passes through Sicily. An extension of this pipeline carries Algerian gas to Slovenia. Transmed can carry 30.2 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year and this is scheduled to be increased to 33.5 billion cubic metres per year by 2012. (F.B./transl.rt)