site.btaBulgaria Has Fuel Reserves for 35 Days of Petrol and Over 50 Days of Diesel, Says State Reserve Head Asenov

Asen Asenov, Chair of the State Agency State Reserve and Wartime Stocks, said in an interview with bTV on Tuesday that Bulgaria has petrol reserves sufficient for about 35 days and diesel reserves for more than 50 days.

He explained that the country currently holds around 98% of the legally required 90-day fuel reserves, with about half stored within Bulgaria at agency facilities and private warehouses. Some of the reserves are kept abroad, including in Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovakia, Greece, and Romania, and can be transported to Bulgaria within seven to 45 days if needed.

Asenov confirmed that three companies are failing to meet their fuel storage obligations, including Insa Oil and two smaller firms, which have cited lack of storage capacity as a reason. The agency regularly wins court cases against them, he said, but current legislation does not impose financial penalties. The missing quantities represent about five days of the mandatory 90-day reserves.

Approximately 80% of the reserves required to be maintained by private companies are currently provided by Lukoil, Asenov noted, adding that the state will ensure the necessary reserves regardless of circumstances.

Contracts have been signed with inspection firms to monitor both the quantity and quality of stored fuels, with monthly checks conducted, he said.

Regarding the Burgas refinery, Asenov stated that operations will not cease. "Even if production is reduced or temporarily halted, there are prepared options to ensure that crude oil will still be processed into diesel and petrol," he added.