Italy expects less Russian gas, taps other sources

(Updates with Gazprom, industry minister, Eni)

ROME, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Russia's Gazprom (GAZP.MM) can only guarantee gas supplies to Italy of 7 million cubic metres on Tuesday, or less than 20 percent of the expected amount, an Italian source close to the matter said on Tuesday.

However, Industry Minister Claudio Scajola said he was not worried about supplies, adding he had signed a decree on Tuesday to increase imports from other suppliers after Russian gas flows to southeastern Europe were halted.

Scajola said in a statement gas stocks topped 90 percent of the maximum capacity, ensuring Italy had reserves for "several weeks".

He added that Rome was increasing imports from Libya, the Netherlands, Norway, Algeria and Britain.

In a few weeks, a regassification plant at Rovigo, in northern Italy, will also start pumping liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported in tankers from Qatar that will cover 10 percent of Italy's consumption once it reached full capacity, Scajola said.

Italy imports around 60 million cubic metres a day of gas from Russia but Tuesday is a public holiday, meaning gas consumption for the day is lower than usual. However the country is experiencing a cold snap likely to drive up gas demand.

Scajola said a special committee monitoring gas supplies would meet soon to assess whether emergency measures were needed.

In Milan, Eni SpA (ENI.MI) Chief Executive Paolo Scaroni met managers to weigh the situation, a source close to the oil and gas company said.