CEO of Eni to QNA: HH the Amir’s Visit Will Strengthen Economic Relations Between Qatar and Italy

CEO of Eni Claudio Descalzi emphasized the importance of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's visit to the Italian Republic in strengthening economic and investment relations between the State of Qatar and Italy, particularly in the energy sector, which is one of the central pillars of collaboration between the two countries. In an interview with Qatar News Agency , Descalzi noted that the partnership between Italy and Qatar has been further enhanced by increased political cooperation, demonstrated through high-level visits and strategic dialogues that have deepened the longstanding friendship and boosted trade exchanges, with Italy holding a prominent position as Qatar's eighth-largest trading partner. He noted the significant economic development in Qatar as it diversifies its economy beyond its traditional sectors, affirming Eni's commitment to support and actively participate in this dynamic transformation, contributing to the continued growth of Qatar. Descalzi pointed to the growing partners hip between QatarEnergy and Eni, not only within Qatar but also in various countries around the world, emphasizing both parties' eagerness to enhance and expand cooperation in the energy sector to benefit both nations and contribute to global energy security. Regarding the partnership between QatarEnergy and Eni in developing natural gas fields, the CEO said that two years after Eni's entry into the North Field East Project, discussions with QatarEnergy are ongoing to identify new LNG expansion projects, as well as international opportunities in the energy sector, including possible energy transition initiatives. On Qatar's role in Eni's strategies to ensure energy security and diversify sources, Descalzi said that Qatar plays a central role in Eni's strategy to bolster energy security and diversify its energy sources, particularly as the global energy transition requires more resilient and sustainable supply chains. As one of the world's foremost producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Qatar is a key pa rtner for Eni in ensuring a stable and flexible supply of natural gas, which remains a crucial transitional fuel as the world shifts towards cleaner energy solutions, the CEO of Eni said. He explained that Enis collaboration with Qatar aligns with its broader objectives of expanding its presence in low-carbon energy projects. Additionally, it enhances Enis strategic relationships in the Middle East, where Qatars abundant resources and advanced energy infrastructure offer significant strategic advantages, he added. Descalzi stressed that Qatar, as one of the world's leading producers of LNG, stands as a cornerstone of the company's strategy to diversify energy sources and enhance energy security, noting that the collaboration between QatarEnergy and Eni on NFE project will significantly boost Qatars LNG export capacity, increasing it from the current 77 million tons per annum (MTPA) to 110 MTPA. Claudio Descalzi said that the NFE project is expected to begin production in 2026, utilizing state-of-the-art te chnologies aimed at minimizing its overall carbon footprint, including advanced carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) techniques. The CEO of Eni Claudio Descalzi said that the company is committed to further strengthening its relationship with Qatar by participating in LNG expansion projects that will not only increase production capacity but also enhance infrastructure to support global exports. Descalzi added, in his interview with QNA, that the these efforts are likely to involve collaboration on advanced technologies to make LNG processing and transport more efficient, while also integrating carbon capture and storage solutions to further reduce the environmental impact of natural gas. He emphasized that this long-term collaboration will be a key element of Eni's sustainability goals and a key contributor to meeting the rising global energy demand. Regarding cooperation between QatarEnergy and Eni in research and development in renewable energy and carbon capture technologies, he confirmed that Eni is w orking closely with QatarEnergy to enhance cooperation in technology, innovation, and the exchange of expertise. He reiterated the company's ongoing commitment to developing and deploying new technologies, including technologies like CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage), agri-feedstock research, and Ecofining for biofuels The CEO of Eni also highlighted in his discussion with QNA that research and technological innovation have always been an integral part of their business approach, enabling them to become a global leader in energy technologies. "We place great importance on developing competencies in technological innovation. As a global energy company, we are committed to leveraging all our expertise to address the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions, thus contributing to Qatar's energy sector and its broader economic growth," he said. In response to a question about Eni entering the natural gas market in Qatar, Descalzi confirmed that Eni's decision to invest in Qatar has been a strategic move, expanding its presence in the Middle East and providing access to one of the world's leading LNG producers, with some of the largest natural gas reserves globally. He added that this strategic partnership with QatarEnergy goes beyond geographical boundaries, as QatarEnergy has become a partner in several of their operated assets in various countries around the world, noting that both sides are exploring new joint investment opportunities in other areas of potential interest. Descalzi pointed out that the cooperation between QatarEnergy and Eni in the energy sector represents a powerful strategic alliance that brings together resources, expertise, and technology to tackle global energy needs, affirming that the the North Field offers an exceptional opportunity for collaboration, ensuring long-term energy security while meeting the growing global demand for cleaner and more reliable energy sources. Regarding Eni's strategies to leverage its partnerships with QatarEnergy to develop clean energy technologies and transition to renewable energy, the CEO concluded his interview with QNA by stating, "our focus will remain on natural gas development, which is a key component of our strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes our involvement as partners in the current North Field Expansion (NFE) project and potential future projects in partnership with Qatar Energy... We are dedicated to maintaining a secure energy supply while remaining firmly committed to achieving our net-zero targets." Source: Qatar News Agency