The government has declared a state of emergency regarding the supply of natural gas through production systems, hydrocarbon pipeline transportation, and distribution networks. President José María Balcázar’s administration has issued Supreme Decree No. 002-2026-EM to prioritize domestic supply in order to protect household consumption and ensure the continuity of essential services.
According to the decree, residential consumers and regulated commercial users will have priority access to natural gas supplies. The measure aims to secure energy for homes and businesses that rely on this resource for their daily activities.
The next level of priority is given to public sales points for vehicular natural gas (VNG), facilities supplying VNG in integrated transport systems, direct consumers serving public transport, and compression or liquefaction stations that support these sectors. This step is intended to maintain mass transportation operations.
For other system users—including electricity generators, regulated industrial consumers with daily usage below 20,000 cubic meters, larger industrial users exceeding this threshold, and independent customers with firm or interruptible contracts—a proportional allocation mechanism will be applied. Distribution will be based on average consumption during the seven days before the emergency began. Any surplus at one priority level will be shifted to the next.
Electricity generators will receive allocations according to instructions from the Economic Operation Committee of the System (COES), following technical standards for real-time operation coordination in interconnected systems.
The decree seeks to optimize available natural gas use by focusing on family welfare, basic service continuity, and essential economic activities. The government states: “With these measures, the Government reaffirms its commitment to act swiftly and responsibly to protect the population and guarantee continuity of essential services while making every necessary effort so that the emergency in natural gas supply is overcome as soon as possible.”
Once rationing begins, producers, pipeline transport concessionaires (both for gas and liquids), network distributors, and liquefaction plant operators must take all necessary actions to optimize production levels during the emergency period.
Distribution concessionaires, COES, and independent consumers are required to report estimated daily needs to producers and transporters. Transporters must then communicate daily allocations according to established priorities.
Additionally, if needed based on availability, the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons may exceptionally prioritize industries involved in fuel production; power generators operating outside the National Interconnected Electrical System (SEIN); companies supplying hospitals or health centers; and other entities deemed vital for energy security or public health.
These steps are part of an overall strategy aimed at minimizing disruption caused by temporary shortages during this declared emergency.
