EN Official Journal of the European Union C 276/41

DECISION No 777

of 5 October 2009

on the opening of a procedure for granting authorisation for the prospection and exploration of oil and natural gas — underground natural resources as defined in Article 2(1)(3) of the Underground Natural Resources Act, at Block 1-18 ‘Trakiya’, located in Haskovo Province, and announcing that authorisation will be granted on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure

2009/C 276/09

REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Pursuant to Article 5, subparagraph 2, Article 42(1)(1) and Article 44(3) of the Underground Natural Resources Act, in conjunction with Article 4(2)(16) and Section 1(24a) of the Additional Provision of the Energy Act,

THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A procedure shall be opened for granting authorisation for the prospection and exploration of crude oil and natural gas in Block 1-18 ‘Trakiya’, having a surface area of 940,12 km2 and coordinates 1 to 10 as specified in the Annex.

2. The authorisation referred to in point 1 shall be granted on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure.

3. The authorisation period for prospection and exploration shall be set at five years from the date on which the prospection and exploration agreement enters into force, with a right to extend this period pursuant to Article 31(3) of the Underground Natural Resources Act.

4. The competitive tendering procedure to determine who is granted the authorisation referred to in point 1 shall be conducted, on the 150th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union, in the Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism’s building at the following address: ul. Triaditsa 8, Sofia.

5. The time limit for purchasing the tender dossier shall be 17:00 on the 120th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.

6. The time limit for submitting applications to take part in the competitive tendering procedure shall be 17:00 on the 130th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.

7. The time limit for submitting bids in accordance with the tender dossier shall be 17:00 on the 144th day following the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.

8. The competitive tendering procedure shall be non-presential.

9. The price of the tender dossier shall be set at BGN 500. The tender dossier is to be purchased from Room 802 at the Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism building at the following address: ul. Triaditsa 8, Sofia, within the time limit specified in point 5.

10. Applicants wishing to take part in the competitive tendering procedure must comply with the requirements of Article 23(1) of the Underground Natural Resources Act.

11. Tenders shall be evaluated on the basis of the proposed work programmes, resources devoted to environmental protection and training, bonuses and managerial and financial capacities, as provided for in the tender dossier.

12. The deposit for participation in the competitive tendering procedure shall be set at BGN 10 000, payable within the time limit specified in point 6 into the bank account of the Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism indicated in the tender dossier.

13. Applicants who are not admitted to the competitive tendering procedure shall have their deposits reimbursed within 14 days after being informed that they have not been admitted.

14. The successful bidder’s deposit shall be forfeit and the other bidders deposits shall be reimbursed within 14 days following the publication in the State Gazette of the Council of Ministers decision to grant authorisation for prospection and exploration.

15. Applications to take part in the competitive tendering procedure and bids under the competitive tendering procedure shall be submitted to the Ministry of the Economy, Energy and Tourism at: ul. Triaditsa 8, Sofia, in Bulgarian, in accordance with the requirements of Article 46 of the Underground Natural Resources Act.

16. Bids shall comply with the requirements and conditions specified in the tender dossier.

17. The competitive tendering procedure shall take place even if only one applicant is admitted to take part in it.

18. The Minister for the Economy, Energy and Tourism:

18.1. shall send this Decision for publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, in the State Gazette and on the website of the Council of Ministers;

18.2. shall organise the conduct of the competitive tendering procedure.

19. Appeals against this Decision may be lodged with the Supreme Administrative Court within 14 days following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Prime Minister Boyko BORISOV Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Rosen ZHELYAZKOV Certified true copy, Director of the Government Office Directorate Vesselin DAKOV