Bulgarian energy minister Rosen Hristov recently announced that Bulgaria decided to negotiate with gas companies from Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia to guarantee the necessary quantities of gas supplies needed for the winter.Â
Hristov said, ” There is a shortage of raw material about 40% even if the American company “Cheniere” delivers seven liquified gas tankers approved by the cabinet of Petrov. To attain the shortage, Bulgaria is also looking for medium-duration gas supplies even if the current agreements are not finalized.”
Hristov made it clear that they are ready to negotiate with Gazprome if they agree to resume the Gas supplies based on the current contract, which expires at the end of the year. It is unnecessary to negotiate and sign a new contract from the beginning. Bulgaria will discuss the method of payment which has been offered to the other European countries.
Hristov added, ” It is unquestionable if they still want to work with us as the consequences of the steps taken by the former government proven drastic for Bulgarian relations with Russia. Generally, things are very complicated. We believe that economic interests will not be combined with political ones”.
“Cheniere”, the liquefied natural gas company in Houston, USA, refused the request made by Bulgaria to extend the deadline of the contract, which is August 19. Bulgaria needs three free slots for unloading and registration of the tankers ordered from the USA by the end of the year; it still didn’t get secured. Former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov confirms the opposite; he said there was an agreement with Greece for two tankers.
Hristov shared his talks with the Deputy Minister of energy of Turkey, who should say by tomorrow morning whether there are any free terminals in the country. Many offers were given from the companies with reserved slots in Turkey and Greece.
No early gas from the Interconnector
The gas cannot be delivered to Bulgaria even if the Interconnector with Greece is ready to supply it before October due to the agreement made by the former government. Greek gas suppliers are prepared for a scheduled meeting with President Rumen Radev on September 8.
According to Hristov, the most critical unfinished thing for the operation is the computer control system, which is in test mode. On September 14, the Ministry of Energy will check how far the implementation has come. The remaining critical points are safety, the documentation for the issuance and the licenses.