Bulgargaz has received an LNG cargo from Shell under an agreement covering 1 million MWh for the 2026–2027 heating season. The delivery is intended to strengthen Bulgaria’s winter supply position via the Alexandroupoli–Chiren corridor.
LNG unloading, regasification and entry into regional transmission
The cargo was unloaded at the Alexandroupoli LNG terminal in northern Greece. After unloading, it was regasified and injected into the regional transmission network. The gas will then be transported to Bulgaria for storage at the Chiren underground gas storage facility until it is required during winter.
A volume of 1 million MWh is broadly equivalent to around 90–100 million cubic metres of natural gas, depending on calorific value. The quantity is described as large enough to provide a material seasonal buffer. It is also noted as only one component of Bulgaria’s broader winter procurement and storage programme.
Alexandroupoli corridor role and cross-border supply access
The transaction highlights the commercial role Alexandroupoli is beginning to play in Southeast Europe. The terminal provides Bulgaria with access to seaborne gas without relying exclusively on routes through Turkey or legacy Russian supply infrastructure. It also supports deliveries into neighbouring markets through increasingly interconnected Greek and Bulgarian transmission systems.
Storage at Chiren changes how the cargo can be used across the season. Instead of consuming the gas immediately during summer, Bulgargaz can retain it for periods of higher winter demand, pipeline disruption or elevated spot-market prices.
Seasonal storage economics and operational coordination
The economic outcome depends on the acquisition price, terminal and transmission charges, storage costs and the winter gas-price spread. Even if the seasonal spread is modest, holding the cargo can reduce exposure to emergency procurement during cold weather.
Bulgaria’s approach combines LNG delivered through Greece with pipeline gas from Azerbaijan and regional interconnection capacity. This increases supplier diversity, while also introducing infrastructure tariffs and requiring coordination of terminal slots, transmission bookings and storage availability.
For Alexandroupoli, regular Bulgarian cargoes are relevant for utilisation and revenue. LNG terminals have substantial fixed costs, and commercial sustainability depends on maintaining throughput beyond occasional security-driven deliveries.
The Shell transaction links global LNG supply, Greek regasification infrastructure and Bulgaria’s domestic storage system. Its value is described as tied to operational flexibility as well as the energy contained in the cargo.
