Sharkawy & Sarhan explain how the draft gas law will affect down- and mid-stream activities

The draft Gas Law gives private parties access to the gas infrastructure and provides details of a new licensing regime through regulating transmission, distribution, storage, liquefaction, regasification, shipping, and the supply of gas, according to a note by Sharkawy & Sarhan. The law creates a new independent public entity affiliated with the Oil Ministry that will be responsible for granting licences to parties, ensuring competitiveness and transparency, setting tariffs, and settling disputes. The law firm says the draft will change market dynamics as “EGAS and EGPC will continue to ship gas along with other licensed parties. EGAS and EGPC will contract with [Transmission System Operator] and be committed to the obligations regarding the supplying, shipping and using the grids. EGAS and EGPC will also be bound by the tariff determined by the Gas Regulator and shall preserve transparency.”