site.btaBulgaria among Few Countries That Can Receive Additional Quantities of Azeri Gas before Winter - Economy Minister Stoyanov

Speaking on the Bulgarian National Television on Sunday, caretaker Economy and Industry Minister Nikola Stoyanov said that Bulgaria is one of the few countries who can receive additional quantities of natural gas from Azerbaijan before the onset of winter. Stoyanov spoke about his visit to Azerbaijan last week where he said a scheme for bartering electricity against gas was proposed to and accepted in principle by Baku. 

Stoyanov said that at the moment everyone is looking for additional deliveries of gas and that if the scheme materializes, Bulgaria will be one of the few countries to get Azeri gas. Also, 1 billion cu m of Azeri gas annually for Bulgaria have been confirmed, whose delivery is expected to start at the beginning of October. Talks are underway for ordering additional 1 billion cu m of gas annually, after completion of an extension of the Southern Gas Corridor. Stoyanov said although deliveries of these quantities would not be possible until 2025-2026, "now is the time" to order them as otherwise they will be taken by other countries. He once again stressed that work continues on all gas diversification options for Bulgaria.