The import, export, storage, transport, distribution and supply of natural gas in Morocco will soon be regulated by law. Indeed, a preliminary draft was posted online on the website of the General Secretariat of the Government (SGG) to receive comments from the public for a month.
This text provides for an organization of the natural gas sector structured around four categories of actors: the aggregator who is responsible for supply and storage, the transport network manager, distributors and suppliers.
Read also: Reversal of the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline: 403% increase in Moroccan gas imports from Spain in 2023
Thus, the supply and storage of natural gas is, under the preliminary project, ensured by an aggregator which takes the form of an economic interest group (EIG), created under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy. Pending the establishment of this GIE, an establishment or a public company designated by regulation assumes, on a transitional basis, the mission of aggregator.
Among the aggregator's obligations are the reliable supply of the country with competitive natural gas, the conclusion of contracts for the purchase of liquefied natural gas from international operators and contracts for the purchase of natural gas from producers exploiting the deposits domestics.
It must also define storage capacities in alignment with the national energy policy, guarantee third parties authorized by the supervisory ministry freedom of access to its storage capacities without discrimination and permanently ensure the balance of natural gas flows between purchasing and wholesaling.
The obligations of the transport network manager
The gas transport network manager must guarantee an equal right of access to its gas works, namely all gas infrastructures which incorporate liquefied natural gas terminals and regasification, transport, storage, distribution and their associated facilities.
It is also required, among other obligations, to develop a ten-year plan for the development of gas works with planned investments and to update it annually in consultation with the ministry.
It must also ensure the connection of natural gas installations and connections with the installations developed by the holders of gas field concessionaires and ensure interconnections at the borders of the national transport network with the transport networks of neighboring countries.
Read also: Morocco to build a gas pipeline linking the GME to the new gas terminal at the Nador West Med port
It concludes standard contracts with infrastructure users, which must be validated by the ministry and establishes, in consultation with distributors and the ministry, a network code specifying the conditions of connection and access to its gas works.
The manager of natural gas transmission networks, whatever the nature of his shareholding (public, private or mixed), is required to make a public offering of at least 25% of his share capital, in a maximum period of 6 years from its creation.
Regarding distribution, it is subject to an authorization for an initial period of 10 years, issued by the administration and which must fulfill the same obligations as for the management of natural gas transport networks.
Calculating prices
He adds that any change of control likely to occur in the shareholding of the holder of a distribution authorization is subject to the prior agreement of the administration.
The distributor designs, builds, operates and maintains its distribution network in consultation and coordination with the transport network manager and the ministry.
Concerning the activity of supplying natural gas, it is also subject to an authorization, the initial duration of which is 10 years and to the prior agreement of the administration for any change of control likely to occur in the shareholding.
Read also: Liquefied natural gas: soon a call for tenders for the construction of a floating terminal in Nador West Med
The calculation of tariffs relating to natural gas is carried out according to the mechanisms established by the Ministry of Energy, taking into account the methods for setting wholesale and retail sales prices, including the setting of transport and storage costs. , distribution, network access, as well as margin caps.
From the entry into force of this law, and in the event of maturity of the market, its regulation will be ensured by the government authority in charge of energy, prior to its transfer to the regulator established for this purpose in order to regulate the natural gas sector, notes the text.
Related News :