International Conference of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulators Marks Inaugural Edition at India Energy Week 2024

Goa: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) successfully organized the inaugural edition of the International Conference of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulators, held from February 5th to 8th, 2024, as part of the India Energy Week (IEW) 2024 in Goa. This landmark event witnessed the participation of major South and Southeast Asian National Energy Regulatory Authorities, including representatives from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. International industry leaders also graced the occasion, with S&P Global Commodity Insights serving as the knowledge partner for the conference.

Under the overarching theme, “Navigating Pathways for Natural Gas Development,” the conference emphasized the pivotal role of natural gas in achieving faster and deeper emission reduction, essential for meeting the climate goals of emerging and developing countries. The five plenary sessions explored diverse topics, ranging from geopolitical uncertainties affecting energy security to rapid infrastructure development, public-private partnerships, and institutional growth. An exclusive roundtable of international regulators provided a platform for sharing best practices and fostering cross-border collaborative strategies to enhance energy security and ensure effective governance.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs, reiterated the Prime Minister’s vision to increase the share of natural gas from 6% to 15% in India’s energy mix. He commended PNGRB for initiating this conference and suggested incorporating the international regulatory conclave of oil and gas regulators as a regular feature of IEW. Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson of PNGRB, underscored the importance of regional collaboration among South and Southeast Asian countries for knowledge sharing to formulate effective regulatory frameworks for natural gas development.

During the conference, speakers emphasized the role of natural gas as a transition fuel towards achieving net-zero emissions and its significance in the energy mix. The discussions delved into geopolitical uncertainties impacting energy supply to developing countries and stressed the need for a united approach from the global south to secure energy supply. The dialogue also shed light on India’s natural gas regulatory and infrastructure development, emphasizing the overall infrastructure and city gas distribution sector to provide reliable and affordable clean energy. Industry leaders advocated for a regional clean energy agenda between South and Southeast Asian nations through interconnected gas and electricity grids.

The International Conference of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulators served as a vital platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and forging partnerships, contributing to shaping the future of natural gas development on a global scale. The event marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration among regulatory authorities and industry leaders to address the challenges and opportunities in the evolving energy landscape.