Italy imposes offshore exploration moratorium
The industry’s future hangs in the balance as the government considers a new energy transition strategy
Hopes of a revival for Italy's upstream sector have been dealt a severe blow by parliamentary approval in February of an 18-month moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration permits, as well as a sharp increase in fees payable on upstream concessions. The government says it wants to prioritise renewable energy developments instead. The measures were introduced as an amendment to the government's so-called "simplification decree" and are intended to assist Italy's energy system in its "process of transition towards decarbonisation", says economic development ministry undersecretary Davide Crippa. Crippa is a member of the populist Five-Star Movement, which is part of a ruling coalition wit
Also in this section
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions
8 January 2026
The next five years will be critical for the North Sea, and it will be policy not geology that will decide the basin’s future
8 January 2026
The region’s access to versatile feedstock, combined with policy support, is setting it up to meet growing demand both at home and abroad
7 January 2026
No longer can the energy source be considered a sidekick to oil in the Middle East and neither should it step aside for less convincing alternatives
