A project is being launched for extending the only gas storage facility in Bulgaria at Chiren in the region of Vratsa, Northwestern Bulgaria. The state-owned company Bulgartransgaz has assigned the project to a consortium that includes Glavbolgarstroy, in partnership with American companies. The facility is scheduled to be extended up to a capacity of 1 billion cubic metres of gas or double its current volume. The Russian equipment from the 1970s and 1980s will be fully replaced by US-made equipment. The project, in which around 600 million Leva (EUR 300 million) will be invested, is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

At the moment Chiren is 80% full. The price of the gas there is high because the facility was filled during the months when gas prices had reached their highest point. That is why it is only used as a last resort.