Bulgargaz

Sofia's Mayor Vasil Terziev reassured residents that there are no risks for the upcoming heating season after a meeting with Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov. He stated that citizens should not be concerned about the heating season, emphasizing that Bulgargaz will continue to supply gas without interruption.

Bulgargaz, the Bulgarian state-owned natural gas distribution company, has said that French oil major TotalEnergies ranked first in a tender offer to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) in November and December to the Alexandroupoli terminal in Greece.

The tender is for the supply of one cargo each month of 1,000 gigawatt hours (GWh), according to a press release from the company.

The first tanker carrying liquefied gas for Bulgaria is currently being unloaded at the new regasification terminal in Alexandroupolis, just two days after it became operational. This vessel, belonging to the French company TotalEnergies, holds a volume of 1 million MWh of liquefied gas, which is designated for the state gas supplier, Bulgargaz.

Bulgaria's state gas supply company, "Bulgargaz," has once again blocked all accounts belonging to the municipal heating company, "Toplofikatsia Sofia" (Heating Systems Sofia). This development was initially reported by" Focus" media, citing reliable sources, and later confirmed by BNT.

Bulgaria's Energy and Water Regulation Commission (EWRC) has announced that the price of natural gas for October will be set at 63.72 leva per MWh, excluding access, transmission, excise, and VAT charges. This price will apply to "Bulgargaz" EAD, which supplies natural gas to final suppliers and licensed thermal energy producers.

This morning, the European Prosecutor's Office gained access to the gas operator "Bulgartransgaz" with the assistance of local police, as reported by bTV. The European Commission has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, and the exact number of participants remains undisclosed.

In August, natural gas prices in Bulgaria will see a slight increase. The Commission for Energy and Water Regulation has set the price at 60.75 leva per MWh, excluding additional costs such as access, transmission, excise duty, and VAT. This price applies to sales by "Bulgargaz" EAD to final suppliers and those licensed for thermal energy production and transmission.

An informal agreement was reached on the possibility of Bulgargaz offering for transfer part of the rights under its agreement with Turkish energy company BOTAS ,signed on January 3, 2023, said caretaker Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov during a hearing in Parliament.

Bulgargaz, Bulgaria's state gas supplier, has initiated legal proceedings against Gazprom, the Russian energy giant, seeking 400 million euros in compensation for damages caused by the unilateral suspension of natural gas supplies over two years ago, by the end of April 2022, reports BNT.

During an open meeting, Ivan Ivanov, the chairman of the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation, revealed that the price of natural gas is set to increase by slightly over 8% in June. This announcement comes after the regulator discussed the proposal put forth by "Bulgargaz" on May 16.