The AER has published its final Pipeline Access Dispute Guide following reforms to the gas pipeline regulatory framework made earlier this year.
A key aspect of these reforms was to improve the pipeline access negotiation and dispute resolution frameworks, including simplifying the regime, and making it easier for small shippers to raise disputes, including by introducing the option to mediate.
Our guide, published today, provides guidance to arbitrators, mediators and those who may become a party to an access dispute with information on:
- the pathways to resolve an access dispute under the National Gas Rules (NGR) and National Gas Law (NGL)
- the procedures for starting an access dispute and the hearing of access disputes
- matters that the AER, arbitrator or mediator must consider in deciding how to resolve the dispute, and the effect of their decisions
- procedural issues involved in the dispute resolution process.
This Guide only provides guidance on gas pipelines access disputes. It does not provide guidance on other disputes under the national energy regime.
An overview of the reforms to the NGR and NGL is available on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.