en.Wedoany.com Reported - Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) last week formed a majority opinion on new rules for non-discriminatory third-party access to natural gas transportation and processing infrastructure, planning to initiate a public consultation. The topic was originally scheduled to complete public consultation by 2026 and issue a new resolution before December, but was postponed due to a request from ANP Director Artur Watt to suspend deliberations. According to the rules, deliberations can be suspended for a maximum of 30 days, with a possible extension of another 30 days.
Despite resistance from Petrobrás, large natural gas users are satisfied with the proposal put forward by the ANP. The Gas Forum (Fórum do Gás), composed of representative entities from various economic sectors, has expressed support for the regulatory discussions advanced by the ANP, while emphasizing that the debate is urgent, cannot be delayed, and must be conducted within the scope of the public consultation.
The ceramics industry, a major consumer of natural gas, is awaiting approval of the new regulations. Luís Fernando Quilici, Director of Institutional Relations at the São Paulo Ceramic Tile Association (ASPACER), stated that the main expected effect is increased competition in the natural gas value chain. He noted that with heightened competition and improved utilization of existing infrastructure, the entire system is expected to become more efficient, and in the medium term, this trend could help foster more competitive prices. He also argued that the ANP director's request for suspension should be addressed promptly, as any additional delay could postpone investment decisions.
Regarding the details of the draft, market assessments consider it an important and necessary step forward in opening Brazil's natural gas market. The details presented in the draft indicate that the ANP is working to increase transparency and establish clearer rules for access to key infrastructure such as pipelines and natural gas processing units (UPGNs). The industry emphasizes that the key now is to ensure the process continues to move forward, focusing on industry development through professional technical dialogue, avoiding significant deviations from the originally scheduled timeline for launching the public consultation due to the suspension of deliberations.
Industry analysts believe that the suspension request temporarily halts the process, but it is part of the regulatory procedure. The regulatory body must consider the urgency of the issue and its impact on Brazil's economic development. The natural gas market has long called for progress in infrastructure access, which is fundamental to expanding competition. Any additional delay could postpone investment decisions and the maturation of a more open and efficient market.
If this regulatory revision moves toward ensuring more open and non-discriminatory access to key infrastructure, the main expected effect will be increased competition in the natural gas value chain. In practice, this will expand the entry of new participants, increase available supply in the market, and reduce logistical bottlenecks that constrain trading dynamics. With heightened competition and improved utilization of existing infrastructure, the efficiency of the entire system is expected to improve. In the medium term, this trend could help foster more competitive prices, but the effect will depend on factors such as production, contracts, and supply conditions.
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