Azerbaijan's SOCAR is becoming a competitor of local Bulgarian Bulgargaz for the domestic market of imported gas, Professor Todor Tanev at Sofia University, former minister of education, told Report.
“The company will receive a natural gas trading license from KEVR (Bulgarian state energy committee) within two weeks, will open an office here and will probably provide 1 billion cubic meters per year, which is 35% of Bulgaria's consumption,” he said.
“The signing of the Solidarity Ring memorandum provides an opportunity to increase the supply of Azerbaijani gas to South-Eastern Europe. The signing of the Solidarity Ring memorandum provides a STRATEGIC opportunity for Bulgaria and all the rest of countries involved, e.g. lasting interests.
Bulgaria plays a huge role in the Solidarity Ring gas initiative, which plans to supply Azerbaijani gas throughout Europe. It is very likely that our country will double the supply of natural gas from Azerbaijan, but through direct sales from SOCAR, and not through Bulgargaz,” he added.