Bulgaria Won’t Negotiate on New Gas Purchase Deal with Gazprom
- No way to talk with Gazprom now, deputy premier says
- Bulgaria’s long-term contract with Gazprom expires at year-end
This article is for subscribers only.
Bulgaria will not renew a natural gas supply contract with Russia’s Gazprom PJSC amid the war in Ukraine, and will look at alternative supplies and a future joint European Union contract to avoid a shortfall, Deputy Prime Minister Assen Vassilev said Saturday.
The Balkan country gets almost all of its gas through a 10-year contract with Gazprom that expires at end-2022. For years, it has delayed projects to diversify its sources, including a pipeline link with neighboring Greece and an expansion of the country’s single gas storage facility. The government is looking to speed up both projects amid fears that the war in Ukraine may cause disruption.