The Start and the Early Post-War Years

The 1920/30's - Italy Launches an Oil and Gas Policy

Incorporation of AGIP. Exploration begun in Italy and foreign ventures initiated (Romania, Albania, Iraq). Exploration proceeds inside Italy and the Agip distribution network is created.
Enrico Mattei is appointed Special Administrator to close down Agip. After discovery of the Caviaga gas field in the Po Valley, the process to liquidate Agip is halted.

1926 Establishment of AGIP (Azienda Generale Italiana Petroli) – Italian General Oil Company

1929 Discovery of the Fontevivo reservoir (Parma)

1931 Agreement with the Soviet Union for direct supply of crude oil

1934 New drilling technique with rotating drills; Agip can now reach 2,000 meters

1936 Agip enters into the refining and petrochemicals business

1938 Natural gas discovery at Podenzano in the Po Valley

1939 First natural gas pipeline in Italy between Petramala and Florence

1941 The Ente Nazionale Metano, Agip, Salsomaggiore Regie Terme and Surgi merged to become the Società Nazionale Metanodotti (Snam) to construct and operate pipelines and to distribute and sell the gas

1942-43 Construction of Snam's first natural gas pipeline, which carried gas from the Salsomaggiore wells to Lodi and Milan

1944 Discovery of the Caviaga field near Milan

1945 Enrico Mattei is appointed Provisional Administrator of Agip

1948 Natural gas field discovered at Ripalta (Cremona)

1949-52 Natural gas is discovered in the Po Valley. Between 1946 – 1950 Italian natural gas production increases from 20 million cubic meters to 305 million and the Italian natural gas transmission network expands from 354 km to 1266 km between 1949 and 1951