Decoding the news. The Descalzi-Burgum meeting underscores the growing strategic alignment between Italy’s energy champion and Washington, as Europe looks to diversify away from Russian gas and strengthen transatlantic energy security.
- The two sides highlighted the long-term LNG supply agreement announced in July between Eni and Venture Global, securing U.S. LNG volumes for Europe.
- The deal was again in the spotlight at Gastech Milan, during a meeting between Eni COO Guido Brusco and Venture Global CEO Michael Sabel.
Behind the scenes. Descalzi emphasized the U.S. as a reference country for Eni’s global investments, citing partnerships across the energy value chain.
- Plenitude (renewables and retail).
- Enilive (biofuels and mobility).
- Eni CCUS Holding (carbon capture).
What they’re saying. Descalzi underscored the strategic relevance of nuclear fusion, updating U.S. counterparts on Eni’s continued support for CFS during the company’s latest financing round (B2).
- He recalled Eni’s longstanding presence in the U.S.:
- Oil & gas operations in Houston, Solar projects in Texas.
- A major bio-refining partnership with PBF Energy in Louisiana.
- Eni Next corporate venture capital hub in Boston.
- Strategic industrial stake in Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), a leader in nuclear fusion.
The big picture. Eni’s U.S. partnerships are expanding from hydrocarbons to next-generation clean technologies.
- This scheme reflects a dual-track strategy: securing Europe’s immediate energy needs through LNG while investing in long-term game-changers like fusion.
- For Washington, the alliance cements Italy as a reliable transatlantic partner in energy security at a time of geopolitical uncertainty.
Political contest. On Tuesday, Italy and the United States have signed an agreement consolidating Rome as the Mediterranean’s leading energy hub.
- The deal, formalised in Rome by White House Energy Security Advisor Doug Burgum and Italian ministers Adolfo Urso and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin
