South Stream Remains Important for Bulgaria

Sofia is using any surplus to accumulate gas in its only storage in Chiren and would be relying on as much as 3 million cub. m of gas per day from Greece, if needed

South Stream will be more important for Bulgaria for the gas transit fees that it would bring rather than for the additional gas quantities it would supply to the country, Economy and Energy Minister Vasil Shtonov stated today in an interview for the Bulgarian National Television.

Transit fees more important than gas quantities delivered

“From the 63 bcm of gas the South Stream pipeline will pump to Europe per year, just 1 bcm is to be delivered to Bulgaria”, Shtonov said, précising that despite its focus on transit the project has its role for Bulgaria’s course towards supply diversification.

Shtonov and vice-PM Ekaterina Zaharieva have recently re-confirmed for the European Commission Bulgaria's responsibility to stop all new tenders and contracts for South Stream until it becomes compliant with EU legislation. Last week the Economy and Energy Ministry went on to reveal some of the correspondence related to the South Stream project in Bulgaria.

Zaharieva however warned that Bulgaria risks some BGN 400 m (about EUR 200 m) monthly loses, if there are gas supply interruptions in winter due to the kiev-Moscow conflict.

Bulgaria Relying on 3 mcm/d from Greece

Minister Shtonov said that preparations for the winter are underway, with gas quantities being pumped into the country’s only gas storage facility at Chiren.

“We have requested additional budget from the Ministry of Finance and we are using any surplus in the [state-owned gas] companies to pump gas in Chiren”, Shtonov said. 

If needed, Bulgaria will also rely on some 3 million cubic meters per day that could be delivered via an existing pipeline from Greece.

This article originally appeared on Publics.bg, a Natural Gas Europe Media Partner