We are negotiating with Turkey for the supply of 1 billion cubic meters of gas for a period of 13 years

The negotiations that the Bulgarian side is conducting with Turkey are for reserving a capacity of 1 billion cubic meters through their liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, including for transmission through their gas transmission network. In particular, it is about reaching an agreement between the Turkish company Botas and the Bulgarian state company Bulgargaz. This was explained by the Acting Minister of Energy Rosen Hristov to journalists. He defined the talks as extremely important given the availability of supplies and insufficient LNG terminals in the region.

"We have a supply of tankers, we have nowhere to unload them. Revitusa (the LNG terminal) is overloaded," he explained. Once again, Minister Hristov explained the scheme being worked on - capacity reservation of 1 billion cubic meters of the terminal under construction in Alexandroupolis in 2024, deliveries of 1 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan, and respectively 1 billion cubic meters m through Turkey, from where it is the only possibility given the geographical situation. This, in the words of the energy minister, will provide up to 80% of the gas needed by our country with a consumption of approximately 3.5 billion cubic meters "with a normally functioning economy", as now a contraction is observed.

Supplies for 2023 are already secured through supplies to Revitusa's terminals, and there will also be some supplies of gas from Turkey. At this stage, the intention is for a 13-year contract - from 2023 to 2036.

Minister Hristov noted the flexibility offered by the Turkish Botas. "Our task is to get the tankers into their waters, and they undertake the unloading. We ("Bulgargaz") will choose the suppliers", he emphasized and opened up a little more about the attempts that our country is trying to implement under this scheme, ahead of the EU's initiative for general gas purchases.

"We are trying to do this at the regional level," the minister said. Bulgargaz will conclude separate deals with liquefied gas suppliers. This is done to ensure non-Russian gas," he said, recalling that Turkey also has Russian gas.

"As we are firmly committed to minimizing our dependence on Russia, the capacity reservation gives us the opportunity to choose our gas suppliers," commented Hristov.

Rosen Hristov clarified that it is still not possible to talk about prices, nor to compare them with those at which our country will receive gas from the LMG terminal in Alexandroupolis, since there "we have capital costs =. "For us, the main thing is security of supply," he emphasized.