KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) is currently in discussion with the Energy Commission (EC) and relevant stakeholders on a smoother Third Party Access (TPA) execution, as the company is optimistic on positive development in the local gas industry following the implementation of the system.
"However, it depends on EC to issue the license to support the market. The TPA would not affect PGB's gas transmission and regasification terminals," PGB managing director and chief executive officer Kamal Bahrin Ahmad said, adding that PGB is purely a transporter and processor and is not involved in gas supply.
Kamal said PGB received various queries from potential entities but has yet to make a final decision.
The TPA is a pro-active measure by PGB in anticipation of the gas market liberalisation initiatives by the government and in aligning with the efforts of attaining gas supply security for Malaysia.
"TPA came on the back of new gas supply act as part of the government’s effort to deregulate or liberalise the gas sector.
"It will allow more people to bring more gas into Malaysia and create broader customers base,” he said, noting the company is ready to provide technical specification operation.
Touching on the gas tariff revision next year, he said EC is evaluating the outcomes and it is still premature to determine the potential level.
“We are still in discussion on the level of tariff with EC. It will be decided next year. The tariff is a multiplier to the revenue portion that we have.
“Any cross-business within the group, there must be at the acceptable level for us. We always look at the agreements and arrangements that are market based, following all the guidelines of interrelated parties,” he added.
Earlier this year, the company announced that EC had confirmed the current tariff for the Peninsular Gas Utilisation System, Regasification Terminal Sungai Udang and Regasification Terminal Pengerang will be maintained until the end of this year.