Spain's Gas Trade Dynamics with Morocco
In recent years, Spain has established itself as the leading supplier of liquid gas to Morocco, particularly following Algeria's decision to halt gas exports through traditional routes. According to data from the Economic Complexity Observatory (OEC), Morocco's gas purchases from Spain reached an impressive $414 million in 2024, making it the largest buyer of Spanish gas, outpacing other nations such as Portugal, France, Egypt, and the Netherlands, which spent nearly $200 million, $173 million, $108 million, and $80.3 million respectively. This shift in dynamics highlights Morocco's reliance on Spanish gas in the wake of geopolitical tensions that have affected the supply chain.
In the same year, only the United States surpassed Spain as a gas supplier to Morocco, with sales amounting to $1.22 billion compared to Spain's $414 million. The UK, Peru, and France also contributed to Morocco's gas imports, with sales of $64.4 million, $56.3 million, and $28.4 million respectively. The significance of Spain's role in this market can largely be attributed to the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, which was historically used to transport Algerian gas to Spain, passing through Moroccan territory. However, following a diplomatic breakdown in 2021, which arose from tensions surrounding Western Sahara, Algeria closed this pipeline and redirected its gas exports solely through the direct Medgaz pipeline to Almería, Spain, and via maritime routes, effectively sidelining the Moroccan route.
Intermediary Role in Gas Supply
Currently, Morocco is not purchasing ‘Spanish gas’ in the traditional sense; instead, it is acquiring gas that enters Spain from various international markets. In essence, Spain is acting as an intermediary, importing gas from multiple countries, processing it within its facilities, and subsequently redistributing and selling it. For Morocco, this gas is transported through the pipeline that crosses the Strait of Gibraltar. Furthermore, it is important to note that any gas sent from Spain to Morocco must come with a certificate and monitoring of its origin, ensuring that it does not derive from Algeria, a requirement imposed by the Algerian government. As a result, Morocco finds itself increasingly dependent on Spanish energy supplies, a situation it is looking to mitigate, yet which continues to persist.
As reported by as.com.
