In relation to the extremely cold weather and the increased consumption of natural gas in all East-European countries and the Russian Federation, gas transit has been carried out in extremely bad conditions resulting in shortages for the Balkan region. All countries on the Balkan Peninsula are taking measures in order to reduce the energy intensity and gas consumption.

 

Bulgaria’s Ministry of economy energy and tourism created a special operative staff which includes Bulgartransgaz and Bulgargaz which should guarantee the uninterrupted gas supplies to and inside the country.

 

According to the operational staff’s findings the gas transit from Bulgaria to neighbor countries has not been interrupted. No administrative restrictions on gas supplies were issued. Bulgaria uses all available quantities of natural gas, including those in the gas storage Chiren and from Galata gas field in the Black Sea near the coast of Varna. The energy ministry ensured that the quantities in Chiren are enough to cover the current gas demand of the country for an extended period, if needed.