**Executive Summary**
This document contains the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Imbalance Management Services) Amendment Regulations, 2025, published on October 14, 2025. These regulations further amend the 2016 regulations concerning imbalance management services. The amendments primarily address the utilization of funds in the "Imbalance charges account." They come into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Title and Commencement:** The regulations are called the "Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Imbalance Management Services) Amendment Regulations, 2025" and are effective from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
* **Amendment to Regulation 4:**
* The "Escrow account" is now referred to as "Imbalance charges account," regardless of any prior regulations.
* The fund available in the "Imbalance charges account" must be utilized in the manner and for the purposes as specified under Schedule-1 of these regulations.
* **Schedule-I: Scope of Imbalance Charges Account:**
* The funds in the account comprise balances from:
* System indiscipline and overrun charges deposited by transporters as per the 2008 regulations.
* Amounts deposited by transporters due to "Imbalance management services" as per the 2016 regulations.
* Interest earned on investments made from the bank account for imbalance charges.
* **Schedule-I: Usage of Imbalance Charges Account:**
* Funds can be used for:
* Capacity determination of gas infrastructure.
* PNGRB's expenses related to regulation framing/amendment.
* Consultancy services for natural gas infrastructure development.
* Setting up PNGRB office spaces and infrastructure.
* Training and development of PNGRB personnel.
* Education and awareness programs for entities and consumers.
* Skill development for CGD and NGPL industries.
* Projects related to development and innovation in the natural gas sector.
* Start-up/ research and development fund.
* Expenses on study for the growth of hydrogen, CBG, LNG, gas-based power plants, gas market etc.
* Usage of fund towards adjustment in the unified tariff/ deficit amount,
* Any other activities approved by the PNGRB Board for development and support of the natural gas pipeline industry
* **Schedule-I: Manner of Utilization:**
* A utilization budget is prepared annually, limited to the interest earned during the previous year, with Board approval. Exceptions apply to expenses of item at 2(iv) and 2(xi).
* Unutilized interest can be used for adjustment in the unified tariff/deficit.
* The Industry Committee is to submit proposals to the Board by January 31st for consideration.
* The Industry Committee must solicit and consider stakeholder views, establishing a mechanism for input.
* **Schedule-I: Accounting:** Separate accounting details of all expenses from the Imbalance charges account must be maintained.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for managing the "Imbalance charges account" and ensuring funds are utilized as per the amended regulations.
* **Action Required:** Implement the amended regulations, prepare a utilization budget annually, oversee fund allocation, and maintain separate accounting records for the "Imbalance charges account."
**Stakeholders: Transporters of Natural Gas**
* **Impact:** Continue depositing system indiscipline charges and imbalance management service payments into the "Imbalance charges account."
* **Action Required:** Adhere to regulations regarding deposits and be aware of the new mechanism for utilizing funds from the "Imbalance charges account."
**Stakeholders: Shippers and Stakeholders in the Natural Gas Industry**
* **Impact:** The manner in which the 'Imbalance charges account' is utilized may impact tariff adjustments and overall gas infrastructure development.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the Industry Committee and provide input on proposals for the utilization of the "Imbalance charges account" funds.
**Stakeholders: Consumers of Natural Gas**
* **Impact:** These regulations aim to safeguard the interests of consumers.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Imbalance Management Services) Regulations, 2016: The principal regulations being amended by this notification; it establishes framework for managing imbalances in natural gas supply and transportation.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006: Enabling legislation that grants powers to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), which this amendment utilizes.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Access Code for Common Carrier or Contract Carrier Natural Gas Pipelines) Regulations, 2008: Regulation referred to regarding escrow accounts and their connection to 'Imbalance charges account'.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB): The central regulatory body for the petroleum and natural gas sector; the primary entity issuing and implementing the regulations.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-16102025-266967
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग III—खण् ड 4
PART III—Section 4
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 673] िई दिल्ली, मंगलवार, अक्त बू र 14, 2025/आजव ि 22, 1947
No. 673] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2025/ASVINA 22, 1947
परे ोजलयम एव ंप्राकृजतक गसै जवजियामक बोडड
अजधसचू िा
िई दिल्ली, 1 अक् तूबर, 2025
फा. स.ं पीएििीआरबी/कॉम/2-एििीपीएल टैररफ(11)/2021 खडं -II (भाग फाइल) (ई-5939).—पेरोजलयम और
प्राकृजतक गैस जवजियामक बोड डअजधजियम, 2006 (2006 का 19) की धारा 61 द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का उपयोग करत े हुए,
पेरोजलयम और प्राकृजतक गैस जवजियामक बोडड, अपि े पेरोजलयम और प्राकृजतक गैस जवजियामक बोडड (असंतलु ि प्रबंधि
सेवाएं) जवजियम, 2016 म ेंआगे संिोजधत करि े हते ु एतद्द्वारा जिम्नजलजखत जवजियम बिाता है, अर्ाडत:् -
1. लघ ुिीर्कड और प्रारंभ
(1) इि जवजियमों को पेरोजलयम और प्राकृजतक गैस जवजियामक बोड ड (असंतलु ि प्रबंधि सेवाएं) संिोधि जवजियम,
2025 कहा िाएगा।
(2) ये जवजियम सरकारी रािपत्र म ेंप्रकािि की तारीख़ से प्रवृत होंगे।
2. पेरोजलयम एवं प्राकृजतक गैस जवजियामक बोडड (असंतलु ि प्रबधं ि सेवाएं) जवजियम, 2016 म,ें -
क) जवजियमि 4 के उप-जवजियम (11) के पश्चात जिम्नजलजखत को िाजमल दकया िाएगा, अर्ातड ्:
6875 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
“(12) पीएििीआरबी (सामाजिक वाहक या संजविा वाहक प्राकृजतक गैस पाइपलाइिों के जलए एक्सेस कोड)
जवजियम, 2008 या दकसी अन्य जवजियमि म ें जिजहत दकसी भी बात के बाविूि, एस्ट्रो खाते को ‘असंतुलि प्रभार
खाता’ कहा िाएगा। ‘असंतुलि िुल्क खाते’ में उपलब्ध जिजध का उपयोग इि जियमों की अिुसचू ी-1 के तहत जिर्िडष्ट
तरीके और उद्देयों के अिुसार दकया िाएगा”।
ख) जवजियम 5 के पश्चात ्जिम्नजलजखत अिुसूची-I प्रजतस्ट्र्ाजपत की िाएगी, अर्ाडत:् -
अिसु चू ी-I
{जवजियम 4(13) िेख}ें
1. जवस्ट्तार
पीएििीआरबी द्वारा रखे गए असंतुलि प्रभार खाते म ेंजिम्नजलजखत म ेंसे उपलब्ध िेर् राजि िाजमल होगी:
i. पेरोजलयम और प्राकृजतक गैस जवजियामक बोडड (सामान्य वाहक या अिुबंध वाहक प्राकृजतक गैस पाइपलाइिों
के जलए एक्सेस कोड) जवजियम, 2008 के जवजियम 13 के उप-जवजियम 10 में प्रावधाि के अिसु ार प्रणाली
अिुिासिहीिता और ओवररि िुल्क के कारण पररवाहकों (रासं पोटडर) द्वारा िमा की गई राजि।
ii. पेरोजलयम एवं प्राकृजतक गैस जवजियामक बोडड (असंतलु ि प्रबधं ि सेवाएँ) जवजियम, 2016 के जवजियमि 4
के उप-जवजियम 4 म ें प्रावधाजित ‘असंतलु ि प्रबंधि सेवाओं’ के कारण रांसपोटडरों द्वारा िमा की गई राजि,
तर्ा
iii. ‘असंतलु ि प्रभार खात े के जलए बैंक खाते’ में जिजधयों से दकए गए जिवेि पर जमलि े वाला ब्याि।
2. जिजधयों का उपयोग
‘असंतलु ि प्रभार खाते’ में जिजधयों का उपयोग जिम्नजलजखत उद्दे यों के जलए दकया िा सकता ह:ै
i. गैस अवसंरचिा की क्षमता जिधाडरण म ेंहोि ेवाला व्यय।
ii. जवजियमि/दििाजििेि आदि बिािे/संिोजधत करि े से संबंजधत पीएििीआरबी द्वारा दकया गया व्यय;
iii. पीएििीआरबी द्वारा प्राकृजतक गैस अवसंरचिा जवकास के जलए परामि डसेवाओं पर दकया गया व्यय;
iv. िेि में प्राकृजतक गैस क्षेत्र के जवकास के जलए पीएििीआरबी म ेंक्षेत्रीय कायाडलयों और अन्य बुजियािी ढांचे सजहत
कायाडलय स्ट्र्ाि की स्ट्र्ापिा, जिसमें जिगरािी या आईटी या एमआईएस या पीएििीआरबी बोडड द्वारा जवजधवत
अिुमोदित आपातकालीि हडैं ललंग के जलए केंद्रीकृत सेवाओं की स्ट्र्ापिा िाजमल है;
v. जवजियामक गजतजवजधयों से संबंजधत पीएििीआरबी कर्मडयों के प्रजिक्षण और जवकास पर व्यय;
vi. उपभोिा जहतों की सुरक्षा सुजिजश्चत करिे के जलए सगं ोजियों, व्याख्यािों, आयोििों, सम्मेलिों, कायडिालाओं,
प्रकाििों (लप्रंट और इलेक्रॉजिक मीजडया) आदि के माध्यम से कंपजियों और उपभोिाओं के जलए जिक्षा और
िागरूकता कायडरम;
vii. सीिीडी और एििीपीएल उद्योगों के जलए िैक्षजणक और तकिीकी संस्ट्र्ािों के सहयोग से कौिल जवकास करिा
viii. प्राकृजतक गैस क्षेत्र से संबंजधत जवकास, िवाचार के क्षेत्रों से संबजं धत पररयोििाए ंिुरू करिे के जलए व्यय;[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
ix. िेि म ें प्राकृजतक गैस अवसंरचिा के समर्डि और जवकास के जलए स्ट्टाटड-अप/अिुसंधाि और जवकास जिजध की
स्ट्र्ापिा/रखरखाव/उपयोग से संबंजधत व्यय, जिसे पीएििीआरबी बोड ड द्वारा जवजधवत अिुमोदित दकया गया
हो;
x. हाइड्रोिि, सीबीिी, एलएििी, गैस आधाररत जबिली संयंत्रों, गैस बािार आदि के जवकास के जलए अध्ययि पर
व्यय;
xi. बोडड द्वारा जवजधवत अिुमोदित एकीकृत टैररफ/घाटे की राजि, यदि कोई हो, म ें समायोिि के जलए जिजध का
उपयोग।
xii. प्राकृजतक गैस पाइपलाइि उद्योग के जवकास और समर्डि के जलए पीएििीआरबी बोड ड द्वारा अिुमोदित कोई
अन्य गजतजवजधयाँ।
3. ‘असतं लु ि प्रभार खात’े म ेंउपलब्ध िर्े राजि के उपयोग का तरीका
i. जिजधयों के उपयोग का बिट हर साल तैयार दकया िाएगा और यह उपयोग जपछल े जवत्तीय वर्ड के िौराि बोडड
की मंिूरी से असतं ुलि प्रभार खाते में िमा राजियों पर अर्ितड ब्याि तक ही सीजमत होगा, हालांदक उपयुडि
2(iv) और 2(xi) मि के खचों पर यह सीमा लागू िहीं होगी। तर्ाजप, जपछले जवत्तीय वर्ड के िौराि अर्िडत दकसी
भी अप्रयुि/असंबद्ध ब्याि का उपयोग बोडड द्वारा जवजधवत अिुमोदित एकीकृत टैररफ/घाटे की राजि, यदि कोई
हो, में समायोिि के जलए दकया िाएगा।
ii. पीएििीआरबी (प्राकृजतक गैस पाइपलाइि टैररफ का जिधाडरण) जवजियम, 2008 की अिुसचू ी-घ के जवजियम
2.1(ड.) के तहत बोड ड द्वारा गरित उद्योग सजमजत, बोडड के जवचार के जलए जवत्तीय वर्ड के िरूु होि े से पहल े 31
ििवरी तक र.सं. 2(vi) से 2(xi) में सूचीबद्ध अपिे प्रस्ट्ताव प्रस्ट्तुत करेगी।
उद्योग सजमजत, बोड ड को अपिा प्रस्ट्ताव भेिि े स े पहले, जिपस ड और जहतधारकों स े आमंजत्रत करेगी और उि पर
जवचार करेगी। इस प्रयोिि के जलए, उद्योग सजमजत जिपस ड के जलए एक प्रणाली बिाएगी, तादक वे सजमजत के
सार् अपिे जवचार साझा कर सकें। दफर इस प्रणाली को मंिूरी के जलए बोड डके समक्ष प्रस्ट्तुत दकया िाएगा।
4. लखे ाकं ि
असंतुलि प्रभार खाते स े दकए गए सभी खचों का अलग-अलग लेखा जववरण रखा िाएगा।
अंिि कुमार जमश्रा, सजचव
[जवज्ञापि-III/4/असा./407/2025-26]
पाि रटप्पणी: मुख्य जवजियमों को फा.स.ं पीएििीआरबी/एम(सी)/48, दििांक 29 अप्रलै , 2016 द्वारा अजधसूजचत
दकया गया र्ा और तत्पश्चात फा.स.ं पीएििीआरबी/एम(सी)/48, दििांक 23 माचड, 2018,
पीएििीआरबी/कॉम/2-एििीपीएल टैररफ (2)/2012, दििांक 19 िूि, 2020,
पीएििीआरबी/कॉम/2-एििीपीएल टैररफ(2)/2012(पी-910), दििांक 11 िवंबर, 2020 और
फा. सं. पीएििीआरबी/कॉम/2-एििीपीएल टैररफ (2)/2012 (पी-3116) दििांक 23 िवंबर, 2020
द्वारा संिोजधत दकया गया र्ा।4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS REGULATORY BOARD
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 1st October, 2025
F. No. PNGRB/COM/2-NGPLTariff(11)/2021Vol-II (Part File) (E-5939).—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 P0065troleum and Natural
Gas Regulatory Board (Imbalance Management Services) Regulations, 2016, namely: -
1. Short title and commencement
(1) These regulations may be called the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Imbalance Management
Services) Amendment Regulations, 2025.
(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 (Imbalance Management Services) Regulations, 2016, -
a) After sub-regulation (11) of regulation 4, the following shall be inserted, namely:
“(12) Notwithstanding anything contained in PNGRB (Access Code for Common Carrier or Contract Carrier
Natural Gas Pipelines) Regulations, 2008 or any other regulations, the Escrow account shall be referred to as
‘Imbalance charges account’. The fund available in ‘Imbalance charges account’ shall be utilized in the manner
and for the purposes as specified under Schedule-1 of these regulations.”
b) After regulation 5, the following Schedule-I shall be inserted, namely: -
Schedule-I
{see regulation 4(13)}
1. Scope
The funds in the Imbalance charges account maintained by PNGRB shall comprise of the balance available out
of the followings:
i. Amount deposited by the transporters on account of ‘System indiscipline and overrun charges as
provided in sub-regulation 10 of regulation 13 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board
(Access Code for Common Carrier or Contract Carrier Natural Gas Pipelines) Regulations, 2008,
ii. Amount deposited by the transporters on account of ‘Imbalance management services’ as provided in
sub-regulation 4 of regulation 4 of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Imbalance
Management Services) Regulations, 2016, and
iii. Interest on the investment made out of funds in the ‘Bank Account for Imbalance charges account’.
2. Usage of the fund
The funds in the ‘Imbalance charges account’ may be used for following purposes:
i. Expenses pertaining to Capacity determination of gas infrastructure.
ii. Expenses of PNGRB related to framing/ amending regulations/ guidelines, etc;
iii. Expenses on consultancy services for natural gas infrastructure development by PNGRB;
iv. Setting up of office space including regional offices and other infrastructure at PNGRB for development
of natural gas sector in the country including establishment of centralized services for monitoring or IT
or MIS or for emergency handling duly approved by PNGRB Board;
v. Expense on training and development of PNGRB personnel pertaining to regulatory activities;
vi. Education and awareness programs for entities and consumers through seminars, lectures, events,
conferences, workshops, publications (print and electronic media), etc; to ensure safety and safeguard
of consumer interests[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5
vii. Skill Development in collaboration with educational and technical institutions for CGD and NGPL
industries
viii. Expenses to undertake projects related to development, areas of innovation pertaining to natural gas
sector;
ix. Expenses pertaining to set up/ maintaining/ utilisation of start-up/ research and development fund(s) for
support and development of natural gas infrastructure in the country duly approved by the PNGRB
Board;
x. Expenses on study for the growth of hydrogen, CBG, LNG, gas-based power plants, gas market etc;
xi. Usage of fund towards adjustment in the unified tariff/ deficit amount, if any, duly approved by the
Board.
xii. Any other activities as approved by the PNGRB Board for development and support of the natural gas
pipeline industry.
3. Manner of utilisation of balance amount available in ‘Imbalance charges Account’
i. A utilization budget of the fund shall be prepared every year and the utilisation shall be limited to the
interest earned on deposits of Imbalance charges account during the previous financial year with the
approval of Board with an exception of item at 2(iv) and 2(xi) above to which the limit shall not apply.
However, any unutilized/unapportioned interest earned during the previous financial year shall be
utilized towards adjustment in the unified tariff/ deficit amount, if any, duly approved by the Board.
ii. Industry Committee constituted by the Board under regulation 2.1(e) of Schedule-D of the PNGRB
(Determination of Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff) Regulations, 2008, would submit their proposals listed
at Sl No. 2(vi) to 2(xi) by 31st January prior to the start of the financial year for consideration of Board.
Industry Committee shall invite and consider the views of shippers and stakeholders also while framing
up its proposals before submission to the Board. For this purpose, Industry Committee shall frame a
mechanism to invite and submission of views by the shippers to the Industry Committee and submit the
same for approval of the Board.
4. Accounting
Separate accounting details of all the expenses incurred from Imbalance charges account shall be maintained.
ANJAN KUMAR MISHRA, Secy.
[ADVT.-III/4/Exty./407/2025-26]
Foot Note: Principal regulations were notified vide F. No. PNGRB/M(C)/48, dated 29th April, 2016 and
subsequently amended vide F. No. PNGRB/M(C)/48, dated 23rd March 2018, PNGRB/COM/2-
NGPL Tariff (2)/2012, dated 19th June, 2020, PNGRB/COM/2-NGPL Tariff(2)/2012(P-910),
dated 11th November, 2020 and F. No. PNGRB/COM/2-NGPL Tariff (2)/2012 (P-3116) dated
23rd November, 2020.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.