Bulgaria is preparing to open tenders for onshore oil and gas
exploration, local media reported on Monday quoting deputy energy
minister Zhecho Stankov.
The ministry is preparing at least two tender procedures, Stankov said as quoted by Capital Daily. He did not elaborate.
In
September, the energy ministry said it had chosen Dutch-based Shell
Exploration and Production to explore for oil and gas in Bulgaria's 1-14
Silistar block in the Black Sea. Shell will invest18.6 million euro
($19.9 million) in exploration works, plus a 4.9 million euro bonus it
will pay the state upon signing the contract, the ministry said at the
times release.
In April the energy ministry opened a tender for
five-year permits for oil and gas exploration in two Black Sea blocks -
1-14 Silistar and 1-22 Teres - in line with the government's policy to
ensure the diversification of energy supplies.
According to local
media, Shell was the only candidate to file a bid in the tender for the
1-14 Silistar block and no bids were filed for the 1-22 Teres block.
(SEENews)