Section 15(1) of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 provides that every entity desirous of:
(a) Marketing any notified petroleum or petroleum products or natural gas; or
(b) Establishing or operating a liquefied natural gas terminal; or
(c) Establishing storage facilities for petroleum, petroleum products or natural gas
Exceeding such capacity as may be specified by regulations,
and fulfilling the eligibility conditions as may be prescribed shall make an application to the Board for its registration under this Act.
Provided that no registration under this Act shall be required for any entity carrying on any activity referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) immediately before the appointed day but shall inform the Board about such activity within six month from the appointed day.
2. Further, Section 60(2)(e) of the Act provides for the Central Government to notify Rules relating to the eligibility conditions which an entity shall fulfill for registration under Section 15(1).
3. It is, therefore, proposed to hold consultations to finalize the eligibility conditions for registration as LNG infrastructure, inter-alia, specifying minimum capacity, open access commitment, physical specifications etc.
4. Accordingly, all interested stakeholders are requested to convey their comments regarding “eligibility conditions” for establishing or operating a LNG terminal to the Ministry by 24th April, 2012 positively.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India
New delhi, April 20, 2012
