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Actual problems of Russian law
Reference:

Sharifullina, A.F. Legal regulation of access to gas transportation systems

Abstract: Transportation of gas is mostly arranged via the pipeline transportation. In the situation of limited carrying capacity of gas transportation system the issue of non-discriminatory access of independent organizations becomes especially topical. The article includes analysis of the legal regulation of non-discriminatory access to gas transportation system belonging to the OAO “Gazprom” and the local gas distribution systems. Transportation of gas via pipelines is based on natural monopoly. However, unlike with transportation of oil (natural monopoly is recognized only for the transportation of oil via the long-distance pipelines) the natural monopoly for gas transportation applies to any types of pipelines. Access of independent organizations to the gas transportation system is based upon contracts and is available only upon the presence of free capacity in the gas transportation system from the place of connection to the place of gas drawing throughout the period of gas delivery required by the supplier. If the available free capacity is not sufficient for the transportation of the entire amount the legislation establishes the order for satisfying claims for transportation. Priority is provided to the suppliers of gas for utilities and consumer needs. The refusal to provide access may be challenged in the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) of Russia. Judicial practice includes cases when the owners of gas transportation systems challenge the decisions of the FAS on violations of anti-monopoly law. S tarting from 2007 the FAS of Russia took a number of unsuccessful attempts to lobby a new Resolution of the Government according to which the OAO “Gazprom” and its affiliated entities should have access to pipelines on equal terms with the independent gas producers. The FAS has developed a draft Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation “ On the Guarantees of Non-Discriminatory Access to Gas Distribution Systems in the Russian Federation” instead of the current provisions on access dating back to 1998.


Keywords:

transportation of gas, non-discriminatory access, the United Gas Supply System; gas distribution networks, natural monopolies, independent gas producers, gas transportation system, the FAS of Russia, OAO “Gazprom”, free capacity.


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