- Eni signs first long-term LNG deal with a U.S. supplier (2 MTPA for 20 years).
- Venture Global boosts Plaquemines capacity to 24.8 MTPA amid rising global demand.
- Eni expands in Indo-Pacific and North Africa as India deepens U.S. LNG ties.
Eni’s latest agreement with U.S. LNG producer Venture Global marks a turning point in the reshaping of global gas flows. The Italian energy company has secured a 20-year deal for 2 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) of liquefied natural gas (LNG), with deliveries set to begin before the end of the decade. This is Eni’s first long-term LNG agreement with a U.S.-based supplier, reinforcing its broader strategy to secure flexible and diversified energy sources.
The deal also strengthens the transatlantic energy corridor at a time when European nations are reducing their dependence on Russian gas. Venture Global, which is emerging as a key pillar in Washington’s energy diplomacy, already has supply contracts with major European utilities, including German and French-owned operators. The company is currently building the United States’ second-largest LNG facility in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. In March, it announced plans to expand capacity by 18.6 MTPA, but according to a new filing with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Venture Global now seeks to increase that expansion to 24.8 MTPA—nearly 6 MTPA more than originally proposed.
This bold move comes amid growing competition in global energy markets. Eni, led by CEO Claudio Descalzi, is not only bolstering Italy and Europe’s energy security but also widening its global reach. The agreement with Venture Global is part of a larger effort to reconfigure its LNG portfolio, targeting a total capacity of 20 MTPA by 2030. The gas volumes sourced from the U.S. will directly contribute to Europe’s strategy of securing non-Russian alternatives.
While securing Atlantic flows, Eni is also actively expanding its presence across the Indo-Pacific energy arc. In partnership with Malaysia’s state-owned energy firm, it has formed a 50-50 joint venture to consolidate and grow its operations in the region. Through this partnership, Eni seeks to position itself as a long-term player in an area increasingly central to global gas dynamics. Asia accounted for 45% of global incremental gas demand in 2024, with India surpassing China in consumption growth.
India, in particular, has become a major LNG importer, sourcing 27 million metric tons—19% of its total imports—from the U.S. in 2024, up from just 11% in 2022. While New Delhi maintains energy ties with Moscow, it is diversifying its portfolio by deepening cooperation with American suppliers. The Indo-U.S. trade relationship increasingly extends into the energy sector, with LNG trade forming a strategic component.
Eni’s involvement in emerging markets is not limited to Asia. In North Africa, the company recently won the rights to develop Algeria’s Reggane II gas field, reinforcing its historic role as a key energy partner for both southern Europe and the broader Mediterranean region.
Taken together, these developments highlight a complex and dynamic energy geopolitics, where national security, commercial interests, and regional influence converge. As Western nations adapt to a post-Russian supply landscape, companies like Eni are leveraging global partnerships to secure strategic resilience and commercial advantage.
