Bulgargaz ordered to disclose BOTAŞ gas delivery and payment data

The Sofia Administrative Court has ordered Bulgargaz to disclose data regarding natural gas deliveries and payments made under its contract with the Turkish state-owned company BOTAŞ for the period of 2023–2025. The ruling overturns Bulgargaz's previous refusal to provide this information, which the company had claimed was a trade secret related to ongoing renegotiations.

The legal action was initiated by Factcheck.bg following a request under the Access to Public Information Act. The court ruled that because Bulgargaz is owned by the state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding, there is a prevailing public interest in knowing how public funds are being spent and what quantities of gas are being received in return.

The court noted that the request does not target the entire contract or future terms, but only the actual deliveries and payments already completed. Furthermore, the court highlighted that for deliveries between 2023 and June 2024, the two-year restriction on information related to negotiations has already expired. Bulgargaz has been ordered to provide the requested data within 14 days and cover the legal costs.