BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 12. Bulgaria’s Chiren Underground Gas Storage (UGS) has reached 90.24 percent of its technical storage capacity, surpassing the EU’s mandatory 90 percent gas storage requirement well ahead of the November 1 deadline set by European Regulation 2017/1938, Trend reports via the Bulgartransgaz EAD.
This marks the second consecutive year that Bulgaria has achieved this milestone in advance, reinforcing the country's commitment to safeguarding energy supply.
The gas injection season at Chiren UGS will continue until October 31, 2024, with further injections expected based on the capacities already booked. Currently, 12 companies—7 Bulgarian and 5 international—are storing natural gas in the facility.
The high fill levels at Chiren underscore the facility's critical role in ensuring energy security for both Bulgaria and the broader Southeast European region. With robust preparatory measures in place for the autumn-winter period, Chiren UGS is well-positioned to guarantee a secure natural gas supply for the upcoming heating season.
Bulgartransgaz EAD owns and operates the Chiren Underground Gas Storage (UGS), providing essential natural gas storage services. The facility is equipped with 24 exploitation wells, a compressor station with a total installed capacity of 10 MW, and various other infrastructure necessary for gas injection, withdrawal, and quality maintenance.
Historically, the highest gas withdrawal in a single season from Chiren UGS has been 390 million cubic meters (mcm). However, over the past three years, withdrawals have generally ranged around 300 mcm, adjusted according to national market demands. During the January 2009 gas crisis, the facility reached a peak withdrawal rate of 4.2 mcm per day, a level sustained for two weeks.
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