Bulgarian-Russian company Overgas has denied receiving a letter from Russian energy giant Gazprom calling on it to prepared for a halt in supplies from January 1.

A statement on the company's website [BG] reads that the gas supply contract with Gazprom is in force until 2017, and Overgas abides by all of its commitments, with no overdue payment.

On Wednesday, Bulgarian media outlets reported the Bulgarian-Russian company, in which Gazprom Export is a 50% shareholder, received a letter where it was advised to prepare for a halt, overdue debt being a possible reason.

According to these reports, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov met top energy officials of the country, instructing them to stand ready to supply Overgas if its own deliveries from Gazprom Export come to a halt.

"Overgas Inc. is a supplier of gas for gas distribution companies and industrial customers around the country. The biggest volumes supplied are to Overgas Mrezhi ["Overgas Networks"] whose customers are more than 55 000 households and 3000 industrial consumers. None of our clients faces a risk of a halt in natural gas supplies," the statement goes on.

Earlier in December reports emerged Gazprom was considering to withdraw from Overgas, but this has not been confirmed.