The AEMC is requesting public submissions on a consultation paper in relation to a rule change request from Jemena Gas Network (NSW) Ltd. Jemena seeks to make permanent a transitional arrangement which exempts it from procuring gas used for operational purposes through the Short Term Trading Market (STTM).

Transitional arrangements for this arrangement, called the matched allocation process, are due to expire on 30 June 2015.

Jemena is seeking to continue the matched allocation process as a permanent arrangement in the National Gas Rules. According to Jemena, since 1996, the level of gas used for operational purposes in the NSW Gas Network has varied between 1.9 and 2.7 per cent of total gas entering the pipeline in a year.

The consultation paper summarises Jemena’s rule change request and identifies a number of issues for further consultation.

Submissions to the consultation paper close on 29 January 2015.