The ministry is preparing at least two tender procedures, Stankov said as quoted by Capital Daily. He did not elaborate.
In September, the energy ministry said it had chosen Dutch-based Shell Exploration and Production to explore for oil and gas in Bulgaria's 1-14 Silistar block in the Black Sea. Shell will invest18.6 million euro ($19.9 million) in exploration works, plus a 4.9 million euro bonus it will pay the state upon signing the contract, the ministry said at the times release.
In April the energy ministry opened a tender for five-year permits for oil and gas exploration in two Black Sea blocks - 1-14 Silistar and 1-22 Teres - in line with the government's policy to ensure the diversification of energy supplies.
According to local media, Shell was the only candidate to file a bid in the tender for the 1-14 Silistar block and no bids were filed for the 1-22 Teres block.
(SEENews)
