Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on Friday, aiming to enhance energy cooperation amid efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy supplies. The discussions took place during the Gastech conference in Milan, where Descalzi hosted the U.S. delegation to address energy security and Eni’s growing investments in the United States.
In a joint statement, the parties expressed satisfaction with a recent agreement between Eni and Venture Global, marking Eni’s first long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal with a U.S. producer, signed in July. This partnership aligns with Italy and the U.S.’s commitment to increasing U.S. LNG exports to Italy, as both nations aim to bolster energy ties and support Europe’s transition away from Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine.
The meetings underscore the importance of collaboration in diversifying energy sources and enhancing security in the region, reinforcing both nations’ strategic interests in the energy sector.