Algeria is looking to increase its natural gas exports to Spain via the Medgaz pipeline to 7 billion cubic meters (bcm) this year, according to the CEO of Sonatrach, Abdelmoumen Ould Kaddour, Zawya reports.

The country exported 4.5 bcm of natural through the pipeline to Spain between the beginning of January and the end of August, according to Zawya.

Sonatrach announced earlier this month that it plans to increase natural gas production from the Rhoude El Baguel and Hassi Massaoud oilfields in order to offset low oil prices, Reuters reported at the time.

Sonatrach is a state-owned energy firm in Algeria.