Bahrain's Tatweer Petroleum and Italian oil and gas company Eni have signed an agreement to explore new areas for collaboration.

The agreement was signed by Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil and Chairman of Tatweer Petroleum, and Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, during a high-level visit to Italy led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister.

The agreement will facilitate joint assessments as well as the launch of new initiatives in areas of mutual interest, including renewable energy and the supply and exploration of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a BNA report said.

Shaikh Mohammed recognised the delegation’s visit as a platform to further expand investment opportunities in the energy sector, and underlined the benefits of further increasing the exchange of expertise as a means to advance the kingdom’s oil and gas sector.

He highlighted the close ties between Eni and the National Oil and Gas Authority (Noga), noting their collaborative efforts have helped develop Bahrain’s petroleum industry.

Descalzi commented: 'This agreement clearly demonstrates Eni’s commitment to expanding its presence in Bahrain while pursuing Eni’s overall decarbonisation strategy, and forms part of the company’s transition towards green energy and the circular economy that has been underway since 2014.

He added: 'Eni aims to support the increase of low carbon energy sources in countries where it operates. In order to ensure long-term sustainability, Eni promotes the development of renewable energy and conducts scientific and technological research.'