SOCAR is showing interest in gas fields on the Bulgarian shelf of the Black Sea, acting Bulgarian Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said on Bulgarian National Television, Report informs.
The minister said that this week the new Bulgarian government plans to launch a tender for the search and exploration of oil and natural gas in the Block 1-26 Khan Tervel site, located in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone on the Black Sea.
“Geological and seismic 3D studies throughout the Black Sea show that there is a fairly high percentage not only of the discovery of fields, but also of hydrocarbon production. This week we will begin the tender procedure for one of the blocks of the Khan Tervel field. SOCAR and other companies are showing interest in this,” the minister noted.
Malinov added that discussions on this topic took place with representatives of the Azerbaijani government during his visit to Baku last week as part of a delegation accompanying Bulgarian President Rumen Radev.
“Expanding geological exploration work in the Black Sea will make a serious contribution to ensuring our energy independence,” he emphasized.
The total area of the Block 1-26 Khan Tervel site is 4,032 square kilometers. There has been no drilling work on this block so far.