Bulgarian Energy Ministry: Bulgaria and SOCAR deepen their traditional good relations in the energy field

Baku. 29 December. REPORT.AZ/ In the field of energy, we have a strategic partnership with the Azerbaijan oil and gas company SOCAR, Bulgarian Energy Ministry told Report, commenting on the country's current energy ties with Azerbaijan.

"For us, it is extremely important to ensure the supply of the contracted 1 billion cubic meters/ year Azerbaijan natural gas for Bulgaria from the second phase of the gas field Shah Deniz. Actually, after 2020, the Azerbaijani natural gas from Shah Deniz 2 will meet about 25%-30% of the consumption of natural gas in Bulgaria, which is a serious share and will significantly increase our energy security and promote competition on the Bulgarian gas market," the press service of the Ministry said.

It also noted that the Bulgarian Government is actively working to ensure diversification of gas supplies by building interconnectors with neighbouring countries.

"The interconnector with Greece, in particular, has a key significance. Its implementation has already become an irreversible process. All major tender procedures are currently in progress so that the IGB will be put into commercial exploitation in 2020 when the first quantities of natural gas from Azerbaijan are expected," the press service said.

The Bulgarian Energy Ministry also voiced support for Azerbaijan in construction of the Southern Gas Corridor.

"Another aspect of our partnership with SOCAR is the institutional support provided by the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy to the application of SOCAR for grants under the EU Connecting Europe Facility for the implementation of specific activities on TANAP pipeline. This is a real expression of the support of the Bulgarian side for the construction of the Southern Gas Corridor."

The Ministry's press service also highly evaluated the meeting between Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his governmental delegation with SOCAR representatives in Baku in January of this year during which SOCAR expressed interest in taking part in the gasification of municipalities in Bulgaria.

"As we know, the company has implemented a similar project in Georgia and its entry into the Bulgarian domestic gas supply market would benefit consumers. One of the options is to include Azerbaijani gas in energy aids as an alternative to heating vouchers. This perspective is being analyzed in detail to clarify possible specific parameters," the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy said.

Moreover, the Ministry noted that last year, Bulgartransgaz and SOCAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding aiming at exploring the possibilities for additional routes for natural gas supply and also transit of gas through Bulgaria to other markets in Southeast Europe.

"All of these are examples of the lasting interest of both sides to deepen their traditional good relations in the energy field," the Ministry said.