Russian gas imports to Italy running 16.2% short: Eni

London (Platts)--13Feb2006

Russian gas imports into Italy have been running 16.2% short for the last
five days, with a 3.0% impact on daily national demand, gas network operator
Eni said Monday.
     Russian gas arriving into Italy through the Tarvisio entry point has been
12-mil cu m short of the 74-mil cu m requested on a daily basis since Feb 9,
the largest level of shortfalls registered so far this year. 
     Last week, Eni CEO Paolo Scaroni warned that the country was down to its
last 5-bil cu m of gas and if cold weather conditions ensue, the country may
have to reduce stocks to their lowest historical levels, a situation which 
Scaroni said may raise concern about how to extract the gas.
     On Saturday, Italy's industry minister Claudio Scajola said the ministry
made adjustments to measures designed to guarantee energy security during
extreme situations. Scajola said that power network operator Terna has been
authorized to shut off power exports while at the same time making maximized
power imports compulsory. Large gas users would also be subject to planned
shut offs, with the exception of the most essential sectors, Scajola said.
     Italian daily demand eased Monday, according to figures from Eni.
compared to a daily average demand of 351-mil cu m last Feb, demand on Monday
was forecast at 298-mil cu m. Industrial demand was 40-mil cu m, while power
generation demand was 67-mil cu m and domestic demand 191-mil cu m, Eni said.

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