We're not expecting rise in the natural gas price for the time being',Kiril Gegov, executive manager of Bulgargas, declared. 'Currently the gas price in Bulgaria is 312 levs per 1000 cubic meters (cm)', he reminded. The last rise in the price by 16.5% was in November. 'The venture has spent 140 mln levs under the investment program till 2002, but there's a limit of 153 mln levs, provided by the state', Gegov said in addition. 440 km of pipeline network throughout the country were repaired in the last year by the company. New 109 km transit pipeline stretch to our border with Greece and Turkey was built. In this year another 46 km (28.5 miles) are pending to be constructed. In March, a new compressor station 'Provadiya' will be put in operation. It's envisaged for annual gas transit increase to Turkey by the 2.5 bln c m. 60% of the Ukrainian debt of 1.260 mln c m gas under the Yambourg agreement is already paid', reported in addition from Bulgargas. 'Till early-2001 the other 40 pct will be paid', Kiril Gegov said