ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 11. Kazakhstan’s
Mazhilis (the lower house of Parliament) approved in the first
reading a draft law introducing amendments on gas supply and the
formation of a culture of efficient gas consumption, Trend reports via the press
service of the Parliament.


The bill proposes amendments to the laws “On State Property,”
“On Gas and Gas Supply,” “On Natural Monopolies,” and “On Public
Procurement.”


The draft law places special emphasis on digitalization and
ensuring transparent gas metering in the domestic market. It
includes state regulation of private gas distribution organizations
and changes to pricing approaches. Control over the implementation
of gas supply projects by the national gas operator will also be
strengthened.


Under the amendments, a ban is introduced on transporting
commercial gas through the same gas distribution system by two or
more distribution companies simultaneously, similar to the
regulation applied to main gas pipelines. Gas distribution
organizations will also be required to establish direct connections
to main gas pipelines.







The bill allows private investors to construct gas pipeline
networks with subsequent transfer to gas distribution organizations
after reimbursement of construction costs. In addition, the draft
law differentiates between “household consumers” and “industrial
consumers.” Local executive bodies will approve gas consumption
norms for household users in accordance with Energy Ministry
regulations.


The national operator in the gas and gas supply sector will be
authorized to approve design assignments for gas pipelines financed
from the state budget and oversee the implementation of publicly
funded gas supply projects. Gas pipelines built with budget funds
will be directly transferred by local authorities to the national
operator.


The amendments also tighten safety requirements for gas filling
stations. Local executive bodies will be empowered to set limits on
the number of auto gas filling stations. New stations will be
required to place storage tanks underground, while existing
facilities must transition to underground storage by January 1,
2031. Refueling of vehicles and household gas cylinders outside
legally designated locations will be prohibited.