# Bulgaria-BOTAŞ gas contract transparency dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-bota-natural-gas-contract-disputes
> Updated: 2026-09-09T09:37:58.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 3.

The legal dispute between Bulgaria and the Turkish state-owned company BOTAŞ regarding natural gas contract transparency has escalated following a Sofia Administrative Court ruling. The court ordered Bulgargaz to disclose delivery and payment data for the 2023–2025 period, overturning the company’s claim that such information constituted a trade secret. The ruling, prompted by a request under the Access to Public Information Act, emphasized a “prevailing public interest in knowing how public funds are being spent.”

While Bulgargaz has partially complied by releasing delivery volumes, it continues to withhold specific pricing and financial data. The company reported receiving 664,438 MWh in 2023, 3.34 million MWh in 2024, and 4.38 million MWh in 2025—volumes representing an estimated 1% to 5% of Bulgaria’s total gas consumption. 

Bulgargaz CEO Georgi Tatarski defended the withholding of pricing information by citing objections from BOTAŞ, a stance that directly contradicts the court’s determination of public interest. Amidst these transparency disputes, Bulgargaz has reportedly ceased paying monthly capacity invoices as of July 2024, while negotiations to amend the existing contract terms remain ongoing.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Bulgargaz withholds BOTAŞ contract pricing despite court order

Bulgargaz has released gas delivery volumes for its contract with Turkey's BOTAŞ but continues to withhold payment details despite a court ruling citing public interest.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgargaz-withholds-bota-contract-pricing-despite-court-order

### 2026-08-10: Bulgargaz ordered to disclose BOTAŞ gas delivery and payment data

A Bulgarian court has ordered Bulgargaz to release data on natural gas deliveries and payments made to Turkey's BOTAŞ between 2023 and 2025, citing a prevailing public interest in transparency.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgargaz-ordered-to-disclose-bota-gas-delivery-and-payment-data

### 2026-07-12: Bulgaria Reaches Deal to Stop Paying for Unused BOTAS Gas Capacity

Bulgaria’s energy minister says a new 15‑month plan will stop payments for unused BOTAS gas capacity, shielding the budget and citizens while allowing payment only for actual deliveries.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-reaches-deal-to-stop-paying-for-unused-botas-gas-capacity

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Cite as: Bulgaria-BOTAŞ gas contract transparency dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-bota-natural-gas-contract-disputes