Join/exit the gas market
Find out how to become a participant in the gas market and make an application. Learn what you need to do if you wish to exit the market.
Joining the gas market
If you wish to join the gas market, you’ll need to make an application to Xoserve. We manage the market entry process for new Gas Traders and Shippers. We also register and provide services to other businesses who wish to enter the market.
Overview of the market entry process
Watch this video to find out how to become a registered Gas Trader or Shipper.
Music featured in this video: "Jellyfish in Space" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Application process for Shippers, Gas Traders and Independent Gas Transporters
Use this process if you wish to join the gas market as a Shipper, Gas Trader or Independent Gas Transporter (IGT).
Before you start
- Applicant Shippers should apply for a gas licence from Ofgem
- To register as a new Shipper or Gas Trader, you’ll need to become a signatory to the Uniform Network Code
Make an enquiry
You can make an initial enquiry to Xoserve by completing the below form. We’ll then get in touch with you to discuss your needs and provide you with a formal application form. If you’re applying as a Shipper or Gas Trader, you’ll need to pay a user administration fee.
What happens next
Below, you can find information about the application process. This includes:
- signing agreements
- Information Exchange (IX) arrangements
- lodging financial security
- going live and accessing additional services
To support your application for market entry, you’ll need to sign several agreements. Our Customer Lifecycle team will send you these agreements. They’ll also be on hand to help with the process and offer advice.
The agreements are:
- Confidentiality Agreement (Shippers and Gas Traders) – this must be signed and processed to continue with the market entry process
- Accession Agreement(s) (Shippers and Gas Traders)
- Data Services Contract (Shippers and IGTs)
- UK Link User Agreement (Gas Traders)
- Amended Reinstated Transporters Framework Agreement (IGTs)
We’ll make arrangements for your organisation to access Information Exchange (IX). This is our secure network infrastructure used to transfer files between organisations. If IX needs to be installed, our service provider will contact you to arrange a time and date for this.
The arrangements will involve:
- agreeing indicative timescales for IX installation and configuration work
- signing an IX installation and sharing agreement
- carrying out a credit check, as well as agreeing the invoicing arrangements for IX installation and configuration, plus any annual maintenance charges
We'll contact you to make arrangements for lodging financial security in respect of Xoserve services. If you’re an applicant Shipper or Gas Trader, you’ll also need energy balancing security in place.
If applicable, we'll provide you with contact details for each of the relevant Gas Transporters. You’ll then be able to arrange financial securities directly with them.
Our Customer Lifecycle team will help you gain access to our systems and services. They’ll also provide onboarding training to get you started.
You’ll then be ready to go-live as a registered market participant.
You’ll also be able to access a range of extra services.
Application process for other organisations
If you are not registering as a Shipper, a Gas Trader or an Independent Gas Transporter, please use the process shown below.
Make an enquiry
You can make an initial enquiry to Xoserve by completing the below form. We’ll then get in touch with you to discuss your needs and provide you with a formal application form.
What happens next
Below, you can find information about the application process. This includes:
- signing agreements
- Information Exchange (IX) arrangements and securities
- go-live and accessing additional services
To support your application for market entry, you’ll need to sign several agreements. Our Customer Lifecycle team will send you these agreements. They’ll also be on hand to help with the process and offer advice.
You may need to make arrangements to install Information Exchange (IX). This is our secure network infrastructure used to transfer files between organisations.
These arrangements involve:
- agreeing indicative timescales for IX installation
- signing an IX installation and sharing agreement
At this stage we’ll arrange for a credit check. We’ll also contact you to agree the invoicing arrangements for IX installation and any annual maintenance charges.
Our service provider will then contact you to arrange a time and date for installation.
We may also need to contact you to make arrangements for lodging financial security in respect of Xoserve services.
Our Customer Lifecycle team will help you gain access to our systems and services. They’ll also provide onboarding training to get you started.
You’ll then be ready to go-live as a registered market participant.
You’ll also be able to access a range of other services.
How to exit the gas market
If you're a Shipper or Gas Trader who wishes to exit the gas market, there are two ways you can do this:
- Termination
- Voluntary Discontinuance
Once you’ve completed the relevant process, you’ll no longer be a market participant under the Uniform Network Code (UNC).
How to exit the market through Voluntary Discontinuance
Voluntary Discontinuance is the controlled process from the UNC that must be completed to exit the gas market. To exit the market, you must issue a Discontinuance Notice to the relevant transporter.
You must also make sure that:
- all amounts payable or due have been paid in full
- you are not the registered user of any supply point
- there are no outstanding imbalances or reconciliations
You can find out more in our User Information Pack for Voluntary Discontinuance.
When exiting the market, you must also meet the obligations within Section 17 of the Data Services Contract (DSC) Terms and Conditions.