By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 4 -- European Commission Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio planned a 5-day visit to Algeria, starting Wednesday, to discuss various issues with Algeria's Energy and Mines Minster Chakib Khelil.
The Energy Ministry issued a statement saying the two sides would review a progress report on gas pipeline projects that would link Algeria with Spain and Italy, OPEC News Agency reported.
Khelil said he and de Palacio also planned to discuss possible financing by the European Union of a Trans-Saharan gas pipeline from Nigeria to the Algerian coast. The proposed pipeline system would help bring Nigerian gas to the European market.
Last month, Khelil visited Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum Ali I. Naimi to promote bilateral joint investments and partnerships in petrochemicals and the oil service sector between Algeria and Saudi Arabia.
Khelil and Naimi also exchanged ideas about the evolution of the international oil market and its current situation, OPECNA reported.
