Consumer countries, producer countries, and the oil industry Italy’s role in the evolution of oil contracts (1955–1975)

• Published in: Handbook of OPEC and the Global Energy Order pp. 183 - 196
• Main Authors: Bini, Elisabetta, Musso, Marta
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2020
• Edition: 1
• Subjects: Producer Countries; Arab Petroleum Congress; International Oil Market; Oil Policies; Consumer Countries; Secretary Of State; OPEC Conference; OPEC Country; EEC Member State; British National Oil Corporation; EEC Council; UK Labour Party; OPEC Member; West Germany; Energy Policies; Concession Agreements; OPEC’s Share; GCC Country; Oil Industry; OPEC Member Country; OPEC’s Success; Energy Resources
• ISBN: 0367195658; 9780367195656
• DOI: 10.4324/9780429203190-19

This chapter examines the impact that Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi (ENI), through Enrico Mattei, had on international oil policies, in order to evaluate the effective degree of novelty and the long-term changes the Italian firm brought to the oil industry. An important aspect of Enrico Mattei’s approach to the oil industry, in his negotiations with producer countries, was to highlight the fact that ENI’s oil agreements were never just about oil. The Iranian case was considered a slap in the face against ENI’s international position and pushed Enrico Mattei to look for other ways to acquire autonomous sources of energy while at the same time pursuing a more aggressive oil policy. Even ENI’s efforts to promote different forms of oil nationalism in Europe and in Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries countries were ultimately a way to consolidate the firm’s position as a strong interlocutor in the global oil industry.