The Revolution in the Gas Market in Sergipe
Sergipe has emerged as a leader in the Free Gas Market Ranking (RELIVRE), a position announced at an event at the Brazilian Institute of Oil and Gas (IBP). The president of IBP, Roberto Ardenghy, highlighted the importance of RELIVRE, launched in March 2023, as a milestone for the opening of the free gas market in the states, following the principles of the new federal natural gas law.
RELIVRE has been a vital channel for dialogue among states to improve local natural gas regulations. As of October 2023, of the 19 states with regulations on the free natural gas market, only half scored above 40% in the ranking. Throughout 2023, several states introduced new regulations, improving their positions in the ranking.
Leadership and Innovation in Sergipe
Valmor Barbosa Bezerra, Secretary of State for Infrastructure and Urban Development of Sergipe, emphasized the role of Governor Fábio Mitidieri, an enthusiast of the natural gas sector, in efforts to harmonize and modernize local gas legislation, resulting in the new regulation approved in December 2023. This new regulation is crucial for ensuring legal certainty for investments in natural gas in the state.
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RELIVRE, a partnership between IBP, ABRACE, and ABPIP, is a tool that monitors and analyzes state norms regarding the opening of the free natural gas market. The ranking evaluates 37 regulatory items based on four pillars: Ease of Migration, Equality between Captive and Free Consumers, Commercialization, and De-verticalization.
Regulatory Modernization and Collaborative Dialogue
The modernization of the natural gas regulation in Sergipe was the result of extensive debate with the participation of all segment stakeholders. Luiz Hamilton Santana, President Director of the Regulatory Agency for Public Services of Sergipe (AGRESE), highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation for the state to reach the top of RELIVRE.
Anabal Santos Junior, executive secretary of ABPIP, emphasized the need for a plural market, promoting natural gas as a key energy resource in the national and global energy transition. He stressed that RELIVRE has accelerated the improvement of state regulations.
The Vital Role of Sergipe in the Gas Sector
Tiago Santovito, gas transportation and distribution regulation manager at IBP, pointed out that Sergipe was a pioneer in restricting ‘self-dealing,’ a practice that hindered fair competition in the market. Douglas Santos, Director of the Technical Chamber for Piped Gas at AGRESE, highlighted the importance of public hearings and consultations for the debate and support of state regulation modernization.
Natalia Seiko, energy analyst at ABRACE, noted that since 2016, Sergipe has seen significant progress in piped gas regulation, with decrees and public consultations that facilitated the migration and commercialization of natural gas in the state.
Continuous Growth of the Gas Market in Sergipe
Sylvie D’Apote, Executive Director of Natural Gas at IBP, mentioned the expectation of an expanded natural gas supply and the importance of new state regulations that stimulate the free market for the growth and diversification of natural gas demand.
Rogério Manso, CEO of ATGás, highlighted the New Gas Law as a facilitator for the expansion of the gas pipeline network, crucial for the sector’s development.
In conclusion, Sergipe’s progress in RELIVRE reflects a strong commitment to innovation and efficiency, establishing the state as an example for harmonizing state regulations with the Gas Law and promoting significant advancement in the natural gas market.
Source: Rodrigo Dutra.

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