A common carrier system implies that capacity in a natural gas pipeline, over and above the pipeline entity’s own requirement and capacity allocated on a contract carrier basis, available to any other entity on a non-discriminatory “first-come-first served” basis subject to the latter entering into a contract for transporting a volume of natural gas normally for a period of less than one year.

A contract carrier system implies the capacity in a natural gas pipeline, over and above the pipeline entity’s own requirements, available to any other entity subject to execution of a firm contract for transportation of a volume of natural gas for a period of minimum one year, on mutually agreed terms and conditions.