NEW DELHI. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has approved detailed guidelines for the injection of Compressed Biogas (CBG) into Natural Gas Pipeline (NGPL) and City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks, establishing a standardized framework for the safe and efficient integration of CBG into authorised natural gas infrastructure. The move marks a significant step toward enabling grid-based evacuation of CBG and addressing a critical gap in the biogas ecosystem by ensuring assured market access, improving project viability, facilitating financing, and accelerating nationwide scale-up of CBG production. Developed through an extensive consultative process involving a Technical Committee of CBG producers, CGD entities and NGPL operators, followed by public consultations and an Open House discussion, the final guidelines incorporate stakeholder inputs on quality analysers, calibration, safety instrumentation, cluster-based connectivity under the DPI Scheme and Integrity Management Systems. The framework covers design and technical standards aligned with T4S safety regulations, CBG quality specifications referencing Access Code Regulations and BIS standards, installation procedures, operational and maintenance protocols, and safety requirements including odorization and control systems, along with illustrative schematic drawings to ensure uniform implementation. The integration of CBG into the natural gas grid is expected to boost domestic green gas availability, reduce LNG imports, strengthen energy security, support climate goals, promote waste-to-energy utilisation of agricultural and municipal residues, and generate socio-economic benefits such as enhanced farmer income, rural employment and advancement of a circular economy.
PNGRB Approves Comprehensive Guidelines for CBG Injection into City Gas and Pipeline Networks
