Bulgaria is using natural gas from Chiren's underground gas
repository to compensate for falling gas supply, Bulgarian energy ministry
Vasil Shtonov said on Wednesday.
Pressure on the entry of the Bulgarian gas transmission system must be at least
38 bars while currently it is 30-35 bars, Shtonov said after the government's
weekly meeting, as quoted in a press release of the ministry.
According to Shtonov, Bulgaria has not received an official explanation for the
reduction in the gas supply and the falling pressure is due to a technical
problem.
Bulgaria has already used about 2.5 million cubic metres of gas from Chiren to
ensure the stability of its gas transmission system.
Bulgaria's daily gas consumption in the coldest months is expected to reach
10-11 million cubic metres, Shtonov said, adding that currently it reaches
7.0-8.0 million cubic metres.
According to Shtonov, if Chiren's maximum daily capacity of 4.1 million cubic
metres is exceeded, Bulgaria's heating utilities will start using heavy fuel
oil instead of gas.
Bulgaria imports almost all the gas it needs from Russia via Ukraine.