The government is all set to make revision in OGRA Natural Gas (Regulated Third Party Access) Rules 2012 and tariff regime for the gas sector and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority will start consultation with stakeholders during the current week prior to notify it, it is learnt.
Official sources aware of the development informed Pakistan Today that OGRA is set to seek comments from the stakeholders regarding revision in OGRA (Regulated Third Party Access) Rules 2012. And, it (OGRA) will conduct consultation session with stakeholders to obtain their point of view. They said the government has been devising third part accesses (TPA) rules to utilise the idle capacity of the country’s gas system and to set the tariff regime. All relevant stakeholders including gas utility companies, LNG (liquefied natural gas) developers, licensees, general public have been asked to furnish their comments in writing within fifteen days, said the sources.
It is also learnt that after getting stakeholders nod, the OGRA will forward the draft rules to the government for necessary approval. And, after the government’s approval, new rules and tariff regime for natural gas sector will be notified.
Documents available with Pakistan Today reveal OGRA’s schedule of engagement sessions with stakeholders in order to make the process meaningful. Similarly, brief presentation and general comments will be elicited. Also, in order to make the process fruitful, OGRA will arrange meaningful engagement sessions with stakeholders in Peshawar on 21-11-2017, Islamabad on 23-11-2017, Lahore on 27-11-2017, Karachi on 04-12-2017, and Quetta on 05-12-2017, said documents.
Following the approval of federal government, OGRA (Regulated Third Party Access) Rules 2012 were notified by OGRA in 2012. And, in 2015, the government suspended various operative Rules i-e 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 & 16. However, currently, the government is developing a medium to long term vision for the natural gas sector, which includes among others promoting competition in natural gas supply, moving towards a liberalized gas market.
The sources also said that the gas sector reforms been initiated in collaboration with World Bank. It has also been envisaged that in the new structure of the competitive gas market in the country a new set up of TPA rules is required which will apply to the all essential infrastructure facilities. Accordingly, OGRA Natural Gas (Regulated Third Party Access) rules 2012 are expected to be revised soon and placed on OGRA’s website www.ogra.org.pk, they added.
It is worth mentioning that OGRA has been in the process of reviewing the existing tariff regime for the natural gas sector in view of the prevalent integrated companies, proposed unbundled structure, changing business dynamics in the local market as well as international best practices. Accordingly, a proposal responsive to balancing the interest of all stakeholders will be developed and placed on OGRA’s website very soon.
