The world's gas > Agreements and acquisitions > In the political arena
In the political arena
The Spanish and Portuguese governments have taken the first steps towards creation of the Iberian Gas Market, Mibgas.
On the Iberian Peninsula, following the inauguration of the Iberian Electricity Market (Mibel), the Spanish and Portuguese governments have embarked on the first stages of construction of the Iberian Gas Market. This is an objective agreed at the Spanish-Portuguese Summit in Badajoz in November 2006, following the inauguration of the Iberian Electricity Market (Mibel). Progress is being made, and there are many areas of work, notably total liberalisation and technical harmonisation.

Mention must be made of the sincere commitment to cooperation and the excellent relationships which have already reinforced the concept of the Iberian gas market, particularly in aspects such as the possibility of providing complementary services on the supply side, for example when specific needs arise. This all helps to increase the security of supply.

In August 2007, Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina signed a strategic gas producers’ alliance. This alliance is an important indicator of the need to promote this form of energy and the security of supply, which on occasions is not even available in the short term (when there is a cold spell for example).

Referring to the Nabuco Project, mentioned in the section on the creation of infrastructures, Russia has strengthened trade links with the countries of the Caspian Sea to help ensure the gas from them goes to export after purchase by Gazprom. Elsewhere, Turkey has extended its agreements to include Iran in order to secure the gas which would be needed for Nabuco.

There are, of course, both commercial and geostrategic issues at play here. Objectively speaking, it would suit Europe to have a new gas pipeline originating in the Caspian Sea area, to transport gas to satisfy its demand and not be controlled by one of the present suppliers.
Annual
Report
07
Annual Report 2.007: Sedigas - The Spanish Gas Association