Construction of Liquefied Natural Gas Infrastructure Develops Rapidly in Italy

MILAN--July 28, 2008--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Italy imported 85% of its primary energy in 2006, spending $75.3 billion, or 3.3% of its gross national product. Gas consumption in 2006 reached 84.5 billion cubic meters (m3), composed of 10.4 billion m3 from national production, 77.6 billion m3 from imports, and 3.6 billion m3 from storage. The major foreign suppliers of gas to Italy are Algeria and Russia. Italy currently has only one plant to store and regasify liquefied natural gas (LNG), located in Panigaglia and owned by ENI S.p.A. (NYSE:E) (Rome). Currently, 10 LNG projects are under development, but only one of these, located in Rovigo in northeastern Italy, will be completed by the end of this year.