site.btaEnergy Ministry: EC Formally Notifies Bulgaria that Investigation into Botas Agreements Is Closed with No Violations Found

The Directorate General for Competition of the European Commission (EC) has officially notified Bulgargaz EAD and Bulgartransgaz EAD that the case regarding the agreements concluded between the Bulgarian companies and the Turkish energy company Botas has been closed, with no finding of an infringement of competition, the Energy Ministry said in a press release on Saturday. 

In October 2023, the EC opened a case under Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2003 of December 16, 2002, on the enforcement of competition rules. The subject of the investigation were agreements concluded in late 2022 between Bulgargaz, Botas and Bulgartransgaz for the supply of LNG to terminals in Turkiye and the reservation of capacity at interconnection points between Bulgaria and Turkiye.

In this respect, the EC's Directorate-General for Competition sent questions to Bulgargaz EAD and Bulgartransgaz EAD. Both companies fully cooperated with the EC authorities, provided all requested documents and provided comprehensive answers to all questions.

In its letter to the two Bulgarian companies, Bulgargaz and Bulgartransgaz, the EC confirms that the investigation has been closed without a finding of infringement.