New laws could mean gas companies who breach regulations could be fined £20,000 a day.
The Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority has published the results of a consultation it carried out into regulating the gas industry through new legislation.
It says in future it would mean the maximum fine for breaking the rules would be 10 per cent of a company's turnover.
But it says where a firm ignores instructions from the authority, it could impose a £20,000 a day financial penalty.