27.08.2026 22:10
The Energy Market Regulatory Authority has opened the new draft regulation to the opinions of relevant institutions, organizations, and the public, aimed at strengthening safe operational practices, service quality, and consistency of application in natural gas distribution. With the draft, it is envisaged that safety practices in natural gas distribution, from emergency response services to leak inspections, from the re-commissioning of networks after disasters to personnel training, will be tied to common standards across the country.
The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) has opened a new draft regulation to the opinions of relevant institutions, organizations, and the public, aimed at strengthening safe operational practices, service quality, and uniformity of application in natural gas distribution.
PROCEDURES AND PRINCIPLES TO BE APPLIED IN MANY AREAS HAVE BEEN DETAILED
According to the statement made by EPDK, as a result of tenders organized by the Institution and distribution area expansion procedures, natural gas distribution services are provided in all 81 provincial centers, 853 districts, and 140 towns in Turkey. The length of the pipeline manufactured in the natural gas distribution sector has exceeded 230 thousand kilometers.
Natural gas distribution activities are carried out through 73 distribution companies licensed by EPDK. As the natural gas network spreads across the country, efforts towards safe operations also continue.
In this context, EPDK has prepared the "Draft Procedures and Principles Regarding Technical Operational Activities of Natural Gas Distribution Companies" to ensure uniformity of practice among distribution companies in areas such as effective operations, consumer satisfaction, service quality, and system security.
With the draft, it is envisaged that the procedures and principles to be applied in many areas of technical operations, from emergency response processes to maintenance and repair, from leak surveys to re-commissioning the network after disasters, will be determined in detail.
COMMON PRACTICE IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES
According to the draft, the classification of reports coming to emergency response centers, preparation of instructions based on reports, guidance of the reporting person, and the processes from the receipt of the report to the completion of field intervention will be made maximally efficient and standardized for all distribution companies.
The designs and required qualifications of emergency response and maintenance-repair vehicles will also be determined. Thus, natural gas emergency response vehicles serving throughout Turkey will have a standardized design. It is aimed that citizens can easily recognize the vehicles and prevent time loss during emergency interventions.
The minimum training required for emergency response and maintenance-repair personnel working in the field will also be determined by this regulation. Training processes will be implemented to enable personnel to intervene effectively in the field and to be trained with competence, especially in safety.
SUPPORT MECHANISM BETWEEN DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES IN DISASTERS
Promptly activating the emergency crisis center in emergency and disaster situations is also among the topics regulated in the draft.
When necessary, personnel, vehicle, equipment, and material support can be provided from other natural gas distribution companies. Thus, it is envisaged that more effective and efficient cooperation will be established between distribution companies operating in different regions during disaster and emergency situations.
Provisions will also be introduced regarding the determination of maintenance programs for the distribution network and operational equipment, and the effective execution of stock tracking for the network.
PERIODS FOR NATURAL GAS LEAK SURVEYS WILL BE CLARIFIED
The periods for natural gas leak survey activities carried out to ensure the safety of life and property of citizens will also be made more explicit.
In the event of a disaster, emergency, or damage to the network, conducting leak surveys promptly in the affected regions will be a priority. The draft also envisages maximizing the amount of odorant material in the network so that citizens can smell gas leaks.
On the other hand, an opportunity will also be provided to supply unodorized gas to eligible consumers who wish to use natural gas without odorization in industrial production lines.
INTERVENTION AND NOTIFICATION PROCESSES IN NETWORK DAMAGE WILL BE CLARIFIED
In case of damage to the network, details regarding securing the area where the damage occurred, notifying customers, methods of intervention for damages, and costing of damages will be clarified.
Rapid securing of the incident site and, when necessary, obtaining support from security units will be ensured. If a gas interruption occurs or is expected, customers affected by the interruption will be informed.
Reports related to damage will be standardized. Measures will be taken to handle calls that may come to the call center and emergency response center after damage. Prompt repairs will be carried out after damage, and it will be determined how cost items for repairs, including waste gas fees, will be calculated. This fee will be charged to the institution or organization causing the damage.
Details will also be elaborated regarding compliance with standards in cathodic protection applications to prevent corrosion in steel lines, grounding applications to prevent electrical arcing, conducting necessary on-site inspections, and issues related to companies that can perform these activities.
SIGN POSTS AND WARNING SIGNS WILL ALSO BE STANDARDIZED
Details regarding the designs and installation locations of sign posts and warning signs used to inform citizens that a natural gas distribution network or station is present in streets and rural areas, and that network work is being carried out in the region, will be standardized.
The draft will also determine the minimum rules to be followed for the initial commissioning of the natural gas distribution network and its recommissioning after a disaster or damage repair.
Minimum procedures for preparatory work and commissioning in the event of initial network commissioning will be regulated. In the case of recommissioning after a disaster or damage, a procedure will be determined for how stations, lines, and, when necessary, internal installations will be brought under control and recommissioned. Before natural gas is re-supplied to buildings, each apartment will be visited individually and subscribers will be informed.
The draft was prepared considering the experiences gained especially after the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş in 2023 and some problems encountered in practice in recent years. After evaluating the opinions to be received from relevant institutions, organizations, and sector stakeholders, the draft, which will be finalized, will be submitted to the Energy Market Regulatory Board for approval.