In Panama a bill has been put to public consultation that establishes a legal framework for developing the activity of importing natural gas, its storage, local distribution and re-export.

The bill declares the promotion and development of the provision of a public natural gas service in the country to be of public and national interest. The import, export and re-export of natural gas are declared as activities of general interest. 

In addition, the project declares that the storage and regasification in a fuel-free zone, transportation of natural gas by pipeline, distribution of natural gas by pipeline network, and transportation and / or virtual distribution of natural gas to be a public service.

See also: “Natural Gas for Central America from Panama“

Up until Monday, July 24, time will be given to submit comments and observations on the bill to the National Authority of Public Services (ASEP). 

From a presentation by the ASEP:

General structure of the bill: 

• Establishes the general provisions in which the applicability of the law and the necessary definitions of law are enshrined. 

• It contains the basic regulatory principles of the natural gas chain: the conditions of entry to activities, separation of activities, open access, price or tariffs and obligations of providers. 

Read the brief about the law proposal (in spanish).
Text of the law proposal.