The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has announced new regulations governing the registration for establishing and operating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in India. These regulations, titled the “Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board [Registration for Establishing and Operating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminals] Regulations, 2025,” were issued on May 8, 2025, and have come into force from May 9, 2025.
The new regulations will apply to both entities planning to establish or operate LNG terminals after the appointed day and those already operating such terminals immediately before the regulations came into effect.
Key Provisions of the New Regulations
Application for Registration
Entities intending to establish or operate an LNG terminal after the appointed day are required to submit an intimation along with detailed information to the PNGRB before making their Final Investment Decision (FID), as per Schedule – I.
Entities already operating LNG terminals before the commencement of these regulations are not required to submit an initial intimation but must submit an application for registration as per sub-regulation (3) of regulation 4 as soon as possible, and no later than 45 days after the regulations take effect.
Certificate of Registration
Upon examining the application, supporting documents, performance bank guarantee, and application fee, the PNGRB may issue a certificate of registration allowing the entity to establish or operate an LNG terminal, or both, for a period of 30 years. This period commences from the date of commissioning or the date of registration, whichever is earlier, as outlined in Schedule-V.
Existing LNG Terminals
Entities operating LNG terminals before the appointed day must submit relevant information and supporting documents as per Schedule IV. The PNGRB will then issue a letter of acceptance to these entities. These entities will also be required to comply with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities) Regulations, 2018, and other applicable regulations under the PNGRB Act, 2006.
Capacity Expansion
Entities planning to expand the capacity of existing LNG terminals must submit a request for amendment to their existing certificate of registration or letter of acceptance to the PNGRB at least 90 days before the commencement of expansion activities.
Change of Ownership
Any change in ownership, management control, or other significant changes related to an LNG terminal after the issuance of the registration certificate or letter of acceptance must be informed to the PNGRB within 60 days of the change, along with supporting documents and a request for amendment.
Submission of Information
All entities covered by these regulations are required to submit information to the PNGRB on the 1st of April and the 1st of October each year, in the format specified in Schedule-III, and also host this information on their own websites.
Suspension or Termination of Registration
The PNGRB has the authority to suspend the certificate of registration for up to three months if a registered entity engages in restrictive trade practices, defaults on obligations under the safety regulations of 2018, or fails to adhere to the conditions of their registration certificate. Entities will be given an opportunity to rectify the default during the suspension period. In cases posing an imminent danger to public safety or deemed necessary in public or state security interest, the PNGRB can order immediate temporary suspension of operations, with a subsequent opportunity for a hearing.
These new regulations by the PNGRB establish a comprehensive framework for the registration and operation of LNG terminals in India, aiming to ensure safety, compliance, and orderly development of the sector.
