We are pleased to announce that the International Comparative Legal Guide – Oil & Gas Regulation 2026 has been published, featuring an in-depth contribution from DGKV on the Bulgarian oil and gas regulatory framework.

 

DGKV’s Partner Milan Pandev, together with Energy practice team members Yana Obreshkova and Vladimir Nedev, authored the Bulgaria chapter, providing a comprehensive and practice-oriented overview of the legal, regulatory, and institutional landscape governing the oil and gas sector in Bulgaria. The chapter analyses the structure and evolution of Bulgaria’s natural gas and oil markets, including the country’s transition towards diversified supply sources, the development of strategic infrastructure such as the Vertical Gas Corridor and gas storage facilities, and the regulatory implications of EU energy security and sanctions regimes.

The contribution further examines the legal framework applicable to the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, including permitting and concession regimes, state ownership of underground resources, environmental and safety requirements, financial guarantees, and restrictions on transfers and exports. It also addresses the regulation of gas transmission, distribution, storage and trading, LNG infrastructure, downstream oil activities, competition law, foreign direct investment screening, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the impact of the energy transition, decarbonisation policies, and hydrogen strategies on the sector.

Published by Global Legal Group, the ICLG – Oil & Gas Regulation guide is a leading comparative resource relied upon by energy companies, investors, and legal professionals worldwide for navigating complex cross-border regulatory issues.

DGKV’s contribution reflects the firm’s strong expertise in energy and natural resources law and its continued commitment to providing clear, reliable, and forward-looking legal guidance in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

You can read the full Bulgaria chapter here:
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/oil-and-gas-laws-and-regulations/bulgaria

This article was first published by Global Legal Group (GLG) in the International Comparative Legal Guide – Oil & Gas Regulation 2026.