How to become a customer – commercial

A new customer shall submit a request for connection to the network to “SOCAR Georgia Gas”/ “Sakorggaz” local service center (or submit a request via email to the address:  socargas@socar.ge). The procedures of connection of a new customer to a distribution network are regulated by Articles 19 and 19¹ (see Annex 1) of “Rules for Supply and Consumption of Natural Gas” approved by Georgian National Energy and Water Supply Regulatory Commission (GNERC).

The application for connection to the network is approved in case of payment of the connection fee or upon mutual agreement.

A new customer (low pressure (<0.005MPa) new customer) connection fee to the network applies to the site within 300m radius of the distribution licensee owned distribution network (except for non-gasified settlements defined by the Commission).

The list of non-gasified settlements is approved by the Decree of GNERC (Decree #68/16 dated August 30, 2018) (see Annex 2), the list is also available on GNERC web-page.

Where tariff for connection applies:

• A new commercial customer shall submit a network connection application complying with the application form approved by GNERC (see Annex 5 and see Annex 6) and ppay 50% of connection fee before submitting the application. ("SOCAR Georgia Gas" account number -  GE63BG0000000162448486; "Sakorggazi" account number - GE16BG0000000967107400).
• If upon construction of a residential building, industrial enterprise or other facility, two or more new customers have to join the distribution network, the applicant is obliged to apply to the distribution licensee and submit a joint application and pay a new customer connection fee prior to submitting this application. ("SOCAR Georgia Gas" account number -  GE63BG0000000162448486; "Sakorggazi" account number - GE16BG0000000967107400).
  
• The distribution licensee shall review a submitted application within five workdays and notify the requestor on approval of the application or on any incompliances revealed. In case of rejection of the application, for connection to the network the application shall be resubmitted.
• Upon approval of the application, a natural gas distribution licensee (a network owner) is obliged to ensure connection of a new customer to a natural gasification network within period, defined by the Regulation of GNERC. A new customer is obliged to make a lump-sum payment of connection fee within the time defined by the Regulation.
• The cost of connection of a new customer to the network is determined in accordance with the connection pressure and capacity packages offered by GNERC (see Annex 3) and is subject to single-payment.
• In case the natural gas distribution licensee fails to connect a new customer to the network within defined timeframe, the cost of connection will be reduced to half. In case of re-exceeding the set deadlines, the connection fee will be canceled, and in case of exceeding the deadline third and more times, the customer will be reimbursed 50% of the connection fee for each case.
• A new distribution network (including gas meter and other equipment), created as a result of connection of a new customer, is a property of a natural gas distribution licensee. Internal network from the customer-owned site area up to the natural gas connection point is a property of a customer.

Where tariff for connection does not apply:

• Connection to a network is performed based on a mutual agreement between a customer and a natural gas distribution licensee (See Annex 7).
• In case parties fail to reach an agreement, a natural gas distribution licensee is obliged to provide the requestor with technical provisions for connection to a network free of charge within 10 days after reception of a written request. The requestor will perform connection works independently or with support of another contractor.
• Regardless who performs connection works, only a natural gas distribution licensee has the right to perform on-site construction supervision, install a gas meter and perform all required cutting/installation works at a distribution network for appropriate payment (the costs of on-site construction supervision, a gas meter installation and cutting/installation works at a distribution network is approved by GNERC (See Annex 4).
• In case the requestor performs construction-connection works independently (or with support of another contractor), he/she shall in advance and in writing notify the distribution licensee.

Customer registration

In case of purchase of a real estate or other facilities, a new owner shall apply to a local service center of “SOCAR Georgia Gas” / “Sakorggazi” on change of ownership.

The application shall contain:

• The applicant's name and address;
• The name of the distribution licensee;
• The place (address) of provision of service and natural gas supply;
• The ownership form of the facility for service provision;
• Natural gas consumption purpose (household or commercial);
• The list of customer-owned natural gas appliances and devices with indication of the type and capacity. 

When an individual rents a real estate, in case of written consent of the landlord, he/she is entitled to submit a request on his/her registration as a customer. While processing the application the distribution licensee has the right to request the customer place a certain amount on its deposit and cover the accumulated (current) debt. Otherwise, the distribution licensee retains the right to refuse the registration of the applicant at the specified address.