PNGRB WILL FACILITATE & SUPPORT SETTING UP OF LNG TERMINALS WITH EASE AND NOT WITH STRINGENT REGULATIONS, SAYS ITS CHAIRPERSON AT PHDCCI

No.PR-170

March 26, 2019

New Delhi

PNGRB WILL FACILITATE & SUPPORT SETTING UP OF LNG TERMINALS WITH EASE AND NOT WITH STRINGENT REGULATIONS, SAYS ITS CHAIRPERSON AT PHDCCI

Chairperson, Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Mr D K Sarraf on Tuesday categorically stated that no stringent regulations would be made applicable on new LNG terminals, proposed to be put up by multinationals to make sure that the required LNG availability is made available for industrial consumptions.

“The job of the petroleum regulator is to facilitate and support investment inflows and it is with that spirit that the PNGRB would move on. However, the required norms and standards for registration and safety for laying gas pipelines, CNG stations and even LNG terminals would have to be strictly observed by the concerned stakeholders”, said Mr Sarraf.

Addressing a Natural Gas Conclave 2019 – India Moving Towards Clean Energy under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Sarraf also indicated that the PNG Regulatory Board could initiate and promote competition in this sector enable it record the desired growth in terms of gas infrastructure expansion as also extend necessary relief to customers even in terms of pricing.

Briefly elaborating his articulation on stringent norms and regulations particularly for proposed LNG terminals by cross border entities, Mr Sarraf was of the view that the regulator would support and facilitate so that investments on this front fructify and India moves on the growth trajectory to increasing the contribution of gas to a level of 15% in India’s total energy basket.

The regulator expressed satisfaction saying that whatever bidding has happened so far and contracts awarded for laying out of gas pipelines, CNG Stations and LNG Terminals, work is moving on in the right direction and hoped that intended results would follow with the passing of time.

Managing Director, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), Mr Saurabh Kumar in his presentation emphasized that the peak power demand of the country could be met through the suitable integration of gas with renewable and other fossil fuels. He was of the view that energy generated through gas can also address the issue of cooling and heating energy demand both on industrial and domestic front with trigeneration.

Senior Vice President, PHDCCI, Mr D K Aggarwal in his welcome remarks emphasized that the share of natural gas in total energy basked of India could be accelerated in time bound manner through technological tie-ups on import fronts for LNG and other such similar joint initiatives between domestic and overseas industries.

Among others who were also present on the occasion comprised Chair, Energy Committee, PHDCCI, Mr Rajeev Mathur; Chair and Co-Chair, Hydrocarbons Committee, PHDCCI, Mr Sanjeev Agrawal and Mr Pawan K Tibrawalla including its Principal Director, Dr Ranjeet Mehta.

Ends.

Koteshwar Prasad Dobhal

Consultant (PR)