Bulgartransgaz appoints Kiril Ravnachki as new chief executive

Bulgaria’s state gas operator Bulgartransgaz is undergoing a major leadership overhaul. Long‑time head Vladimir Malinov, who led the company for more than eight years and oversaw projects such as the Turkish Stream extension and the vertical gas corridor, has been removed from the supervisory board. Darina Koleva was also dismissed.

The supervisory board has nominated Kiril Ravnachki, a former member of the board and former director of the state gas exchange Gazov hub Balkan, to become the new executive director. New board members Roshen Petkov and Lazhar Georgiev will replace Malinov and Koleva. The changes were approved by the board of Bulgartransgaz’s parent, Bulgarian Energy Holding, and have been submitted to the Commercial Register (KEVR) and await final approval from the Energy and Water Regulation Commission.

The restructuring marks the second significant personnel shift at the operator within weeks, reflecting ongoing governance adjustments in Bulgaria’s gas sector.