Bulgaria to continue to rely on Russian gas: PM

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov here on Thursday said his country would continue to use Russian gas, but in the meantime, it would diversify the supply of the blue fuel.

"I think that the Russian gas has to be used," Borissov said while addressing an international gas infrastructure conference.

This should be done according to the rules of the European Union, Borissov said.

Meanwhile, Bulgaria has been taking measures to diversify supplies through liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and connectivity to various gas streams, in order to be guaranteed that the country's economy would not be blocked at a given moment, Borissov said.

He added that Bulgaria has started modernization of its gas transmission network including the construction of compressor stations with reverse flow compressors, and would be able to transport natural gas in all directions.

Bulgaria would also build interconnectors with its neighbors, he said.

The interconnector with Romania is under extensive construction, while construction of such facilities with Turkey and Greece would commence within two weeks and this year respectively, Borissov said.

Currently, Bulgaria relies on Russia for 96 percent of its gas needs through a single pipeline passing through Ukraine. In the winter of 2008, it was the country most impacted when Russia halted gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine. Endit