Bulgaria expects its natural gas production to rise to some 574 million cubic metres in 2013 from over 490 million cubic metres last year, the energy ministry said.
Domestic production of natural gas, which is 35% cheaper than imports, is seen growing further to 655 million cubic metres in 2014, the ministry said.
Last year, Bulgaria's proceeds from concessions and explorations rose to 186 million levs ($126.6 million/95.1 million euro) from 63 million levs in 2011, including a 40 million euro ($53.3 million) bonus payment made by France's Total for a five-year deepwater gas drilling permit, the statement added.
A total of 194 exploration licences and 481 mining concessions were active in Bulgaria at the end of 2012.