The relevance of this topic is due to the fact that, amid the ongoing large-scale gasification of the country under economic sanctions, the legislation previously regulating the legal relations under consideration is being amended. At the same time, work continues on creating new gas supply routes to replace existing ones. According to A.B. Miller, Chairman of the Management Board of Gazprom PJSC, in addition to a strategic cooperation agreement, a memorandum was signed with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) on the construction of the Power of Siberia‑2 gas pipeline to China and the Soyuz–Vostok transit gas pipeline through Mongolia, which together constitute the largest gas project in the world. Earlier, at the Gas of Russia 2025 forum, S.V. Gustov, CEO of Gazprom mezhregiongaz LLC, reported more than 1.1 million new gas consumers. As a result, the issues of ensuring the safe use of gas in households, as well as its affordability and economic viability, have become increasingly acute. The growing importance of gas law is driven by the demand for this energy resource in both domestic and international markets. The modernization of current fuel and energy sector legislation continues. Notable changes include the amendments in Federal Law No. 308-FZ of July 31, 2025. The adopted rules (effective March 1, 2026) will have a significant impact on the future operations of gas distribution organizations. Conducting scientific research in the field of energy law is therefore already an urgent necessity driven by current realities. Conditions now exist for the further development of legal regulation across various segments of the energy sector, including the gas industry. In particular, firstly, a unified methodology for determining the cost of maintaining gas equipment shall be approved to replace existing approaches. Secondly, the cost of maintaining gas equipment should be incorporated into the cost of the resource itself, while gas suppliers and gas distribution organizations should be merged into a single gas supply entity. Thirdly, diagnostic works shall be included in the minimum list of works under the Rules for Gas Use. Fourthly, for this purpose, amendments should be made to Part 9 of Article 157.3 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, specifically by adding the term “diagnostics”. Fifthly, amendments entering into force on March 1, 2026, revise Part 10 of Article 157.3 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, allowing specialized organizations to carry out not only repairs outside the minimum list, but also installation and replacement of gas equipment. The term “gas distribution” should be replaced with “specialized”.
Sergey Puzikov (Wed,) studied this question.