Temenuzhka Petkova: Local extraction from deep-water Black Sea will increase liquidity of the gas exchange

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Local extraction in deep-water Black Sea is one of the most real forms of diversification of energy resources – an objective that our government is aiming at and actively working on. Local resources will contribute for higher energy independence and better liquidity on the gas trading exchange, Energy Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said during a visit to the Noble Globetrotter II drilling rig of Shell International Exploration and Development Italia S.p.a. in Burgas. Energy Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev were introduced to the site with the upcoming activities on exploratory drilling in Khan Kubrat block. According to Deputy Prime Minister Donchev, preliminary studies in the block give grounds for a drilling, which is quite an optimistic perspective.

The Government has already focused its efforts on building the missing infrastructure and developing the natural gas market in the country, Minister Petkova stressed during the visit. She recalled that a concept for realization of a gas hub is developed with the European Commission and one of the possible sources of supply is namely local production.

The updated energy strategy of the country at the end of last year outlined as one of the main perspectives the liberalization of the natural gas market and the establishment of a gas trading exchange. In implementation of this strategy, Bulgartransgaz EAD has already registered a subsidiary– "Gas Hub Balkan" EAD, which will operate trading platforms for market needs within the gas hub. Petkova stressed that the Government's long-term vision provides for 49% of the ownership of this company to be granted to private investors – industrial consumers, gas transmission and gas distribution network operators, licensed gas exchange operators and others.

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