Brussels, 28/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - On the margins of an energy conference in Oran last Sunday, European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Algerian Energy Minister Shakib Khelil finalised plans for a future strategic energy partnership between the EU and Algeria. A source close the Commissioner said that these plans were already well advanced on the technical level, but the exact terms of the future EU-Algerian declaration of intention were still being negotiated, with no date being set for the signature a t this stage. Mr Piebalgs has said that, while the energy partnership should focus on three areas - convergence of energy policies through convergence of regulatory frameworks, development of infrastructure of common interest, and technological cooperation, his main aim is clear, ensuring the security of EU energy supply and the security of energy outlets for Algeria. The first target of the future EU-Algerian partnership agreement is to increase supply to the Community market of hydrocarbons, gas, (increase in supply of almost 29 billion cubic metres per year by 2010, doubling current supply) and oil (today 90% of Algerian crude is for the west European market) and LNG - liquefied natural gas - (increase in supply by nearly 6 billion cubic metres by 2010) and electricity (improving the interconnection between Europe and Algeria with two underwater electricity cables linking Algeria with Spain and Italy). Under the terms of the agreement, the EU will provide financial support for the construction of two new underwater gas pipelines to carry Algerian gas to Spain (Medgaz) and Italy (via Sardinia, Galsi). The EU will also provide financial support for the construction of a trans-Saharan gas pipeline (this 4,128 km long pipeline is scheduled for completion in 2015) to transport LNG from Nigeria, via Niger and Algeria, to Europe. This project, with an estimated cost of $13 billion, which will supply 20-30 billion cubic metres of gas annually to the Community market, will contribute both to EU energy security and the development of these countries, Mr Piebalgs told Reuters. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will have to assess this project, considered by experts to be very risky, because, even though the pipeline will be largely underground, it will be at risk from the unrest in the Niger delta, criminal attacks, separatist uprisings and groups linked to Al-Qaida in the Sahara. Finally, in the partnership agreement there will have to be not inconsiderable room for renewables (European support for the development of solar energy in the Algerian Sahara to produce energy, some of which will be for the Community market) and energy efficiency through technological cooperation. (eh)