Azerbaijan covers about 27% of Bulgaria’s natural gas needs

The volumes of Azerbaijani natural gas delivered via the Bulgaria-Greece (IGB) interconnector cover about 27% of Bulgaria’s needs and are of key importance in achieving favorable prices for the blue fuel, Report informs referring to the Bulgarian media.

The Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (EWRC) approved the price of natural gas for the month of January in the amount of BGN 179.33 per megawatt hour (MWh), which is 22.75% more than the price of the blue fuel for December.

At this price, Bulgargaz EAD will sell natural gas to final suppliers and to persons who have been issued a license for the production and transmission of thermal energy.

The price mix includes the entire agreed amount of Azerbaijani natural gas delivered via the IGB at prices according to the current long-term contract with Azerbaijan.

The Bulgaria-Greece gas pipeline was put into commercial operation in early October 2022. IGB provides for the transportation of gas to Bulgaria produced within the second stage of operation of the Shah Deniz gas condensate field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

The state company Bulgargaz EAD signed a contract with the Shah Deniz consortium for the supply of 1 billion cubic meters of gas from the Shah Deniz-2 field. Azerbaijani natural gas will be able to satisfy 25-30% of Bulgaria’s needs.

As many as 150 kilometers of the pipeline with a total length of 182 kilometers run through the territory of Bulgaria. The annual capacity of the pipeline is expected at 3-5 billion cubic meters.