The Chiren natural gas storage facility covers only one third of Bulgaria`s needs and the country`s heating utilities would require Lukoil fuel oil supplies in order to continue operating, the Bulgarian Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov stated. He said that the heating facilities were now going to use a mix of gas and fuel oil.

The Minister explained that he had talks with the Lukoil management and they have specified the volume to be provided. Lukoil is to immediately begin supplying the country`s heating utilities with fuel oil, according to the Minister.