"On 17 April Italians are called to vote in a referendum on the duration of existing oil and gas exploration and drilling concessions in territorial waters.
In it they are being asked whether or not to repeal a clause in the 2016 budget law allowing operating oil and gas fields to continue production until all resources have been used up.
The same law reintroduces a ban on new exploration and drilling within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
In the unlikely event that the quorum is reached and the yes vote prevails, companies already holding permits to prospect or drill within 12 nautical miles of the Italian coast will have to cease activities when their authorisations expire."
April 17th is not far away, and Italy signed the Mediteranian agreement yesterday. They need reserves to supply this line, and their best option will be their onshore natural gas reserves.