Import: Procurement of the natural gas through import is allowed under an import license.
The following conditions should be met by the legal entities applying for import license:
- Technical and economical capability for import,
- Availability of definite information and guarantees regarding the source, reserves, generation facilities and transmission system of the natural gas to be imported,
- Having obtained such commitment and guarantees (as required by the EMRA) from the legal entities which shall conduct storage activity, concerning the ability to store an amount corresponding to 10% of the natural gas to be imported every year, in the national territory for five years,
- Capability to contribute to the improvement and security of the national transmission system, and accordingly, to provide economic support to the investments to be made by legal entities for the improvement of the system.
Import companies must obtain licenses for each import contract respectively. Import companies must inform the EMRA of the terms of the contracts, as stated in their import contracts, extension of the terms, envisaged annual and seasonal import amounts and the changes in such amounts, and the obligations related to the security of the system which are stated in the contracts or in any extension thereof. Import companies may market imported natural gas to the free consumers abroad provided that they have obtained an export license as well as transferring the natural gas to wholesale companies or export companies within the country through sales contracts. However, the transfer made to export companies may not release the liabilities of the importing company under its license.
Annual natural gas amount procured through import by any import company may not exceed 20% of the national gas consumption forecast to be determined by the EMRA.