(1) A distribution company may request a new customer to provide an advance deposit against bills starting from the date of first supply.

(2) The amount of the deposit shall be calculated using the estimated monthly consumption of natural gas as agreed between the customer and the distribution company and in accordance with the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s approved natural gas rates.

(3) The distribution company may in addition to the advance deposit, request a bank guarantee in respect of an industrial or commercial customer where the customer is unable to pay the full amount of the advance deposit requested.

(4) Where an industrial or commercial customer consistently pays bills as required over a period of twelve months, the bank guarantee provided shall cease to apply at the expiration of the twelfth month.

(5) Where a distribution company requests a customer to provide an advance deposit, the advance deposit shall be subject to the payment of interest in accordance with rule 20.