North African deal in the pipeline
Amid continuing concerns over the unreliability of Russian oil and gas supplies to Poland, Economy Minister Piotr Woniak and Algeria's Minister of Energy and Mining, Chakiba Khelila, have signed a memo on economic cooperation between their two countries.
According to Woniak, Algerian gas, which currently accounts for one third of Europe's requirements, is the main resource that Poland is interested in, followed by its oil.
Although neither the amount nor value of possible imports to Poland has been stated, Woniak said the first transport of Algerian gas could arrive at the planned winoujcie LNG gas terminal in 2010-2011. "Algerian gas supply should result in the stabilization of Poland's gas reserves to such an extent that Poland's factories could have unlimited access to this product," said Woniak.
In addition, Woniak stated that Polish companies would gain access to the Algerian market, in order to contribute to the African nation's five-year plan to rebuild its infrastructure. Poland's construction, transport and telecommunication companies could participate in the massive scheme.
Khelila also invited Polish companies to participate in the sub-Saharan pipeline project, which is to connect Nigeria and Algeria. "This more than 4,000-kilometer-long pipeline should be completed in 2015," said Khelila. "Polish companies are welcome to join the international consortium that will manage this project. We will provide the resources and our international partners will provide markets."
