PNGRB scraps plan of reserving a share of LNG terminals’ capacity for common use

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has scrapped its plan to force liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the country to reserve a share of their capacity for common use after the move was opposed by the industry on the grounds of it being an immature proposal that would hurt local gas demand. In March 2018, the PNGRB had published a draft regulation for LNG terminals necessitating that they register with the board, follow certain safety standards and offer at all times post registration 20 per cent of their short-term (less than five-year contract) uncommitted regasification capacity or 0.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), whichever is higher, as common carrier capacity.