The Measures for the Fair and Open Regulation of Oil and Gas Pipeline Networks will come into effect on November 1

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Recently, the **Development and Reform Commission issued the \"Regulations on the Fair Access to Oil and Gas Pipeline Networks\" (hereinafter referred to as the \"Regulations\"), which will come into effect on November 1, 2025. Oil and gas pipeline networks connect the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry; they represent typical examples of natural monopolies in this field. Promoting the fair and open access to such pipeline networks is an important aspect of reforming the mechanisms for their operation. As the reform of China’s oil and gas system continues to advance, particularly since the establishment of the pipeline network groups, the \"X+1+X\" oil and gas market framework has been gradually improved, and market participants’ demands for fairness and openness are increasing day by day. **A responsible official from the Energy Bureau said that by introducing the \"Regulatory Measures,\" oversight of the fair and open access to oil and gas pipeline infrastructure will be further strengthened, thereby facilitating the implementation of the decisions and directives issued by the Party Central Committee ； Further refine and implement the requirements stipulated in the Energy Law to ensure its effective enforcement. The newly introduced \"Regulatory Measures\" have been elevated to departmental regulations, with additional penalty provisions added, thereby significantly enhancing the effectiveness of supervision. The official also introduced the key points of the Regulatory Measures. In the process of formulating the Regulatory Measures, the principles of acting in accordance with laws and regulations, problem orientation, fairness and justice, and keeping pace with the times were adhered to, with full consideration given to the provisions of the Energy Law, the requirements set out in central government documents, as well as experience gained from regulatory practices. First, there are new clauses regarding user registration and service acceptance. It is specified that oil and gas pipeline network facility operators shall establish specific procedures for user registration, conditions and processes for handling requests for services, as well as detailed rules for the allocation of capacity. These operators are encouraged to use convenient methods such as online platforms to handle service requests. Further optimize the response time for handling requests related to oil and gas pipeline infrastructure on a decentralized basis, thereby improving the level of fair and open services. Second, new provisions on penalties for unfairness and lack of openness have been added. It is fully aligned with the penalties for unfair practices stipulated in the Energy Law; it specifies 9 scenarios in which oil and gas pipeline network operators violate relevant regulations, and sets corresponding penalty standards for each such violation, thereby facilitating law enforcement by energy regulatory authorities at all levels. At the same time, to prevent some users from deliberately disrupting market order, five scenarios in which users violate the regulations are specified, thereby ensuring a stable and orderly oil and gas market. Third, amend the information disclosure provisions. According to information categories, the relevant information on the fair opening of oil and gas pipeline networks is made publicly available in a hierarchical manner. Relevant enterprises should proactively disclose to the public basic information such as the fair and open system, user registration requirements and procedures ； Regarding sensitive information such as remaining capacity and operational status, relevant enterprises should disclose it to registered users, taking into account both the security of facility information and user needs. Which oil and gas pipeline network facilities are subject to regulation under the Regulatory Measures? Article 35 of the Regulatory Measures clearly stipulates that oil and gas pipeline network facilities refer to those that provide public services such as the transportation, storage, unloading, and gasification of crude oil, refined oil, and natural gas (including liquefied natural gas), and include pipelines, storage facilities, as well as other supporting and auxiliary facilities. They do not include transmission pipelines that are part of onshore and offshore oil and gas development projects (such as internal pipelines from wellheads to processing plants or purification plants), inter-well pipelines, pipelines connecting offshore platforms to onshore terminals, pipelines within petrochemical plant areas and airport premises, chemical product pipelines, urban gas facilities, and gas stations. Specifically, the scope of regulation includes not only facilities such as oil and gas pipelines, LNG receiving stations, and underground gas storage facilities operated by pipeline network companies, but also oil and gas pipeline networks operated by various entities including central state-owned enterprises, local state-owned enterprises, and private enterprises. The official said that the **Development and Reform Commission** and the **Energy Bureau** will strengthen organizational coordination as well as publicity, interpretation, and guidance. They will give full play to the role of the Energy Bureau’s dispatched agencies and local energy authorities at all levels, urge oil and gas pipeline network operators to provide open services, supervise the quality of such services, continuously standardize the practice of opening up oil and gas pipeline networks, improve the level of fair and open service provided by these operators, and promote the high-quality development of the oil and gas industry.