Natural Gas Consumer Access Amendments of 1983

Natural Gas Consumer Access Amendments of 1983 - Amends provisions of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 relating to the transportation of natural gas by pipeline. Requires a pipeline, without discrimination, to transport natural gas on a reasonable request if: (1) the owner of the gas submits to the pipeline a formal application for transportation which shall include documentation for the sale of a minimum of a total of 250 Mcf per day of natural gas for a period of at least six months; (2) the owner agrees to compensate the pipeline in accordance with the tariff rates established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); and (3) the pipeline has sufficient available throughput capacity. Directs FERC to establish just and reasonable maximum rates and charges for such transportation. Requires FERC's responsibilities over any intrastate pipeline to be delegated to the appropriate State commission. Directs FERC to prescribe regulations governing contractual relationships and obligations relating to transportation under this Act.

Authorizes FERC to require the interconnection of two or more pipelines or the extension of a pipeline for purposes of increasing available throughput capacity. Defines "available throughput capacity" to mean that portion of pipeline capacity which during the term of the transport contract would otherwise be unused except during periods of peak usage.

Defines the term "free access gas" to mean natural gas produced from any well in the United States: (1) the dirlling of which began on or after May 1, 1983; (2) which is not subject to a sales contract as of a certain time; (3) which is released by the purchaser or otherwise made available by the exercise of a market-out clause, or other similar contract provision; (4) which is subjected to a material unilateral modification of the sales contract by the purchaser; (5) which is subjected to any material breach of the sales contract by the purchaser in either the price paid or the amount of gas required to be taken; or (6) which is subjected to any termination of contractual obligations. Authorizes free access gas to be sold to any purchaser capable of taking delivery and the seller shall be considered released from all duties and obligations with respect to who may purchase free access natural gas.

Provides that in the case of any existing contract provision enforceable before January 1, 1985, if a pipeline or local distribution company which is a party to such contract transmits to the other parties a written notice requesting that such contract be voided, such contract shall be unenforceable with respect to any natural gas sale, transportation, or storage required under such contract after the expiration of the later of: (1) the 60 day period beginning or the date notice is received; or (2) the date specified in the notice for contract termination.

Provides that in the case of any existing contract enforceable after January 1, 1985, if a producer, pipeline, or local distribution company which is a party to such contract transmits to the other parties a written notice requesting that it be marketed out, such contract shall be unenforceable with respect to any natural gas sale, transportation, or storage required under such contract after the expiration of the later of: (1) the 60 day period beginning on the date notice is received; or (2) the date specified in the notice for contract termination.

Directs FERC and the Department of Justice to undertake a cooperative study of and to report to Congress on the competitive effects of vertical integration in the production, purchase, transport, storage, and sale of natural gas, and the effects of vertical integration on the price, availability, and deliverability of natural gas to local distribution companies and ultimate consumers.