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Gazette Tracker

Core Purpose

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board makes the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Plants) Amendment Regulations, 2026, to further amend the 2023 Regulations.

Detailed Summary

This notification, issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board on January 16, 2026, under section 61 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 (19 of 2006), introduces the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Plants) Amendment Regulations, 2026. These regulations, effective upon publication in the Official Gazette, amend the 2023 Principal Regulations, originally published on March 29, 2023 (F.No. PNGRB/Tech/8-T4SR&GP/(1)/2023 (P-4247)) and July 23, 2025 (F.No. PNGRB/Tech/18-penalty-T4SReg./(9)/2024/(E-5488)/11). Key amendments include: replacing "MWAP" with "MAWP" in Regulation 2(1)(z); inserting a new paragraph in Regulation 9 mandating compliance with Ministry of Environment and Forests Notification no. GSR 186 (E) dated 18.03.2008 for fugitive emissions; substituting "alcohol" with "Ethanol/EBMS" in Schedule-1, sub-clause 1.5.1(a)(ii); and making several changes in Schedule-2, including modifying noise level requirements and updating standards from "IS 5571" to "IS-16724/IEC-60079-14". Schedule-3 introduces new requirements for third-party inspections, procurement, and maintenance of critical equipment, including direct TPI appointment, specific procedures for high-pressure fittings/valves (>50 Kg/Cm²) for hydrocarbons and H2 service, and 100% Positive Material Identification (PMI). Schedule-3 also adds new clauses on Energy and Environment management systems, mandating compliance with ISO: 50001, ISO: 14001, and schemes like PAT or CCTS. Schedule-4 revises DC supply unit battery backup durations, specifies 6-hour backup for certain control systems like CCTV and F&G Detectors, updates references to "CEA Regulations as amended from time to time", and requires fireproofing for cables within a Fire Scenario Envelope in accordance with API 2218. Schedule-5 merges sub-clauses 5.3.8(a) and (b), replaces "Oil" with "Class A & B Petroleum" in sub-clause 5.3.9(a), specifies 4000 kg capacity for one DCP tender and two vessels of 2000 kg capacity for another in sub-clause 5.15.1(c)(ii), and clarifies manual call point identification in sub-clause 5.17.11(g)(ii). Finally, Schedule-11, sub-clause 11.5.3(b) now requires permit records to be "available at site".

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-21012026-269491 EXTRAORDINARY PART III—Section 4 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 51] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026/PAUSHA 30, 1947 PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS REGULATORY BOARD NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 16th January, 2026 F. No. PNGRB/Tech/8-T4SR&GP/(1)/2023-Volume(2) (E-4318).—In exercise of the powers conferred by section 61 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 (19 of 2006), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board hereby makes the following Regulations to further amend the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Plants) Regulations, 2023, namely: - 1. Short Title And Commencement: (1) These regulations may be called the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Plants) Amendment Regulations, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Plants) Regulations, 2023 - (a) In Regulation 2, sub-regulation (1), in Clause ‘z', the word “MWAP” shall be substituted with "MAWP". (b) In Regulation 9, the following paragraph shall be inserted, namely: - "For preventing fugitive emissions and standards for equipment leaks, the refinery and Gas processing plants should comply with the relevant stipulations as stated in the Petroleum Oil Refinery standards notified by Ministry of Environment and Forests vide Notification no. GSR 186 (E) dated 18.03.2008 as applicable." A (c) In Schedule-1, (i) In sub-clause 1.5.1 (a), in serial number (ii) the words, “alcohol” shall be substituted by the words, "Ethanol/EBMS"; (D) In Schedule-2, (i) In sub-clause 2.2.1 (c), serial no. (i), shall be omitted and re-inserted in subclause 2.2.1 (a) under the heading “General” as serial no. (vi); (ii) In sub-clause 2.2.6 (a), under sub-heading “Inlet and Exhaust Conditions", in serial number (ii), the word "shall" be substituted with “should” and the words “to limit the sound as per applicable standard or statutory requirement” shall be omitted. The words “The noise level shall meet the applicable standard or statutory requirement" shall be inserted. (iii) In sub-clause 2.5.2, the words and figures, “IS 5571" shall be substituted by the words and figures, "IS-16724/IEC-60079-14"; B (e) In Schedule-3, (i) After the clause 3.4.5 (d) the following clause shall be inserted, namely:- "(e) Third party inspections, procurement, and subsequent maintenance of critical equipment: i. PO item shall be dispatched based on satisfactory review of inspection documents (as per PO terms & conditions/QAP) and certificate issued by the nominated TPIA and the dispatch clearance issued by PMC/Client. ii. Suitable mechanisms should be adopted for confirmation & verifications of inspection certificates directly from TPI. The bid document must include provision for direct submission of copy of witness test certificates from TPI to entity. TPI to submit the inspection release note (IRN) and stage-wise inspection progress directly to the entity with copy to equipment manufacturer. TPI shall be engaged by PMC/Client and the same shall be incorporated in the PR/MR/RFQ stage. iii. In the Critical Equipment' supply purchase order, the third-party inspection is to be included. In the bid document, the entity must include the list of empaneled TPIs who would carry out the inspection on behalf of Entity. In exceptional cases, where change in TPI is required, approval from owner (entity) is to be sought providing justification for such change. Entity may also make surprise inspections to check the quality of TPI inspection. iv. Entity shall directly appoint the TPI agency(s) for Critical activities (Entities must set criterion for identifying critical activities) rather than selection by the vendor. This will improve quality of inspection by TPI and would avoid fraudulent test certificate submission. V. The procedure for the procurement of critical, high-pressure fittings/valves (more than 50 Kg/Cm²) for hydrocarbons and H2 service fittings/valves shall be in place. Procurement of such fittings/valves should not be done along with the normal fittings/valves. Pre-Qualification Criteria (PQC) for procurement of such fittings/valves to be clearly defined with service and pressure rating. vi. Entities (Refineries) resort to purchase of fittings/valves as per API standards. Wherever, equivalent BIS standards are available, the entity (refinery) may examine considering the equivalent Indian standard in their purchase order. vii. Standard Maintenance Procedure (SMP) should be developed including joint inspection by Mechanical & Inspection personnel for thorough checking during fitting/valve replacement in critical service before installation at site. viii. 100% Positive material identification (PMI) shall be ensured for all critical high rating welded valves for Hydrocarbons in high pressure section more than 50 Kg/Cm² at site including all carbon steel loop in order to identify the dissimilar metals. PMI should be ensured for both the sides of the weld joints in such valve installations. Industry shall devise the criticality for the requirement of PMI. (ii) clause 3.4.5 ( e) shall be re-numbered as clause ‘(f)' (iii) After clause 3.4.5 (f) the following clause shall be inserted, namely:- "3.5 Energy and Environment management systems: i. Entity should also ensure compliance to Energy Management System (ISO: 50001) and undertake periodic audits as specified in the ISO: 50001. ii. Entity should ensure compliance to Perform Achieve & Trade (PAT) scheme or Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), as may be applicable, in accordance with the mandate issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for Energy Intensive Sectors. Entity should set targets for improving GHG Emission Intensity (GEI) and Specific Energy Consumption Target in CCTS and PAT scheme respectively. iii. Entity shoulssd also ensure compliance to Environment Management System (ISO: 14001) and undertake periodic audits as specified in the ISO:14001." (f) in Schedule-4, (i) In sub-clause 4.8.6, under the heading “DC Supply Units”, in serial number (c), shall be re-written as "Fire alarm system shall have a dedicated DC battery backup system. UPS Battery backup Duration after Main supply failure shall be 30 minutes for all control systems." (ii) In sub-clause 4.8.6 (c), the words and numbers starting from “except 6 hours...." and ending with words ".....(such as PA system)" shall be omitted (iii) In Sub-clause 4.8.6 the following shall be inserted “(d) For Control Systems of CCTV, CEEMS Analyzers, Emergency PA System/Services, Flame & Gas (F&G) Detectors, backup shall be of 6 hrs duration." (iv) the sub-clause 4.8.6 under the heading 'DC Supply Units', Serial no. ‘(d)' shall be read as ‘(e)’ (v) In sub-clause 4.8.11 (a), the words and figures, “CEA Regulations, 2010” shall be substituted by the words and figures, "the CEA Regulations as amended from time to time." (vi) In sub-clause 4.8.12 (c), the words “IE Rules” shall be substituted by words “CEA Regulations as amended from time to time." (vii) In sub-clause 4.9.1 (b), the word “DC” shall be substituted by words “battery backed up DC or AC supply" (viii) In sub-clause 4.9.4 (a), under the heading “cable types”, serial number (viii), the words “above ground in Hazardous area shall be of fire-resistant construction" shall be substituted with words "within a Fire Scenario Envelope shall be provided with fire proofing in accordance with API 2218." (g) In Schedule-5, (i) In sub-clause 5.3.8 Serial no. (a) and Serial no. (b) shall be merged and after the words “latest MoEF Regulations...." and before the words "The Gas (Clean Agent...)", the word “However," shall be inserted. (ii) In sub-clause 5.3.9 (a), the word “Oil” shall be substituted with the words “Class A & B Petroleum”. (iii) In sub-clause 5.15.1 in serial number (c) (ii), after the word “One” and before the words “DCP tender.", the words and figures "4000 kg capacity" shall be inserted and after the words "...tender having" and before the words and figures “2000 kg capacity....", the words “two vessels of” shall be inserted. (iv) In sub-clause 5.17.11 (g) in serial number (ii) the words “fire and in the repeater” shall be substituted with words "the fire station and in the repeater panel installed in the respective area control rooms. The location of these manual call points shall be conspicuously marked for proper identification." (h) In Schedule-11, sub-clause 11.5.3, in serial number (b), after the words "...and this permit", the word "record" shall be inserted and the words “in minimum two copies" shall be substituted with words "available at site". ANJAN KUMAR MISHRA, Secy. [ADVT.-III/4/Exty./624/2025-26] Foot Note: 1. The Principal regulations, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board( Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Regulations, 2023 was published in Gazette of India, Part 3, Sec.4, on 29th March, 2023 vide F.No. PNGRB/Tech/8-T4SR&GP/(1)/2023 (P-4247) 2. The Principal regulations, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board( Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Regulations, 2023 was published in Gazette of India, Part 3, Sec.4, on 23rd July, 2025 vide F.No. PNGRB/Tech/18-penalty-T4SReg./(9)/2024/(E-5488)/11

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