Reuters: Italy, Spain seek new gas to reduce North African risk

Italy and Spain aim to reduce their dependence on North African natural gas imports, posing potential trouble for countries including Algeria, the one oil- and gas-rich country in the region so far spared from major social unrest.

The two European nations each import around a third of their gas from Algeria and over 10 percent from Libya and Egypt combined.

Violent uprisings that have toppled governments have already reduced supplies from Libya and Egypt, while an attack on Algeria's In Amenas gas facility run by BP and Statoil in January has highlighted the risk there.

"We need new supply sources," said Leonardo Senni, head of the energy department at Italy's Ministry of Economic Development.   MORE