Bulgaria’s Energy Minister, Zhecho Stankov, has emphasized that domestic natural gas production would be the most cost-effective solution for the country. This statement was made during a meeting with representatives from “OMV Petrom,” a subsidiary of the Austrian energy company OMV, where the future of oil and gas exploration in “Block 1-21 ‘Khan Asparuh'” was discussed. This block is located in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea.
Minister Stankov highlighted that developing local gas fields would significantly enhance the country’s energy security and benefit the region as a whole. He also noted that it would contribute to improving the competitiveness of Bulgarian domestic and industrial consumers. Rob Dobbins, Head of International Relations and Assets at OMV Petrom, provided an overview of the key stages involved in the exploration activities within the block.
The conversation centered on the considerable potential of the Black Sea block, with both parties expressing optimism about achieving positive results. Minister Stankov firmly stated that relying on local gas production would be crucial for diversifying energy sources and ensuring Bulgaria’s national energy independence.
