{"id":378385,"date":"2026-03-14T10:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T04:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=378385"},"modified":"2026-03-13T16:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T10:51:36","slug":"petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Recasting India’s Upstream Petroleum Governance"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

India’s upstream petroleum regulatory framework has historically evolved through executive contracts rather than comprehensive statutory instruments.<\/p>\n

Analysis of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948<\/a> (ORD Act<\/a>) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a> (New PNG Rules<\/a>)1<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

The ORD Act<\/a>, has served as the basic sstatute governing India’s upstream petroleum sector for over seven decades. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 1959<\/a> (Old PNG Rules<\/span><\/a>)2<\/sup><\/a>, framed under the Act, provided the operational framework for exploration and production activities, mainly for government companies with limited private participation. In 2025, the Central Government introduced significant amendments to the Act and replaced the Old PNG Rules<\/a> with the New PNG Rules<\/a>. This article examines the transition from the old regime to the new framework, highlighting key structural, procedural, and substantive reforms and makes a comprehensive and critical analysis of the Rules.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

India’s upstream petroleum regulatory framework has historically evolved through executive contracts rather than comprehensive statutory instruments. The ORD Act<\/a> provided broad enabling powers, while detailed governance was left to contractual arrangements such as Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and, later, Revenue Sharing Contracts (RSCs).<\/p>\n

The Old PNG Rules<\/a> was based on the regulatory philosophy of their time, with limited private participation, rudimentary environmental safeguards, and minimal procedural codification. The enactment of the New PNG Rules<\/a>, alongside amendments to the ORD Act, marks a decisive shift towards a modern era philosophy of procedural clarity, regulatory certainty, sustainability, and operational flexibility.<\/p>\n

Structural expansion and legislative maturity<\/h2>\n

A notable feature of New PNG Rules<\/a> is the substantial expansion and precise regulatory framework. While the Old PNG Rules<\/a> comprised only 35 rules arranged across 7 chapters with a single schedule, the New PNG Rules<\/a> contain 65 rules structured into 12 chapters supported by 8 schedules. This expansion is not merely quantitative in nature; rather, it reflects a clear legislative intent to move from a skeletal, contract-driven regime to a comprehensive rule-based framework. The new structure introduces detailed procedural prescriptions, clearly defined timelines for regulatory decision-making, standardised application formats, and statutory recognition and resolution of operational and commercial realities that earlier remained unaddressed or only addressed through executive contracts, policies or office orders. Accordingly, enhancing transparency, certainty, and regulatory robustness in the upstream petroleum sector.<\/p>\n

Conceptual shift: Departure from mining law paradigms<\/h2>\n

The Old PNG Rules<\/a> were heavily influenced by mining law terminology, leading to conceptual ambiguity between mining and petroleum operations. The New PNG Rules<\/a> consciously abandon this legacy. By clearly distinguishing, exploration, appraisal, development, and production of mineral oils, the 2025 framework aligns petroleum governance with industry-specific technical and commercial realities. This clarity will reduce unnecessary regulatory hurdles for the exploration sector.<\/p>\n

Unified petroleum lease and ease of doing business<\/h2>\n

Under the 1959 regime, separate exploration licences and mining leases were required, resulting in multiple regulatory approvals and clearances during the project lifecycle. The New PNG Rules<\/a> replace this fragmented structure with a single unified petroleum lease covering all mineral oil operations. This reform shall reduce procedural complexity, approvals, and advances the government’s ease of doing business agenda.<\/p>\n

Codified procedures, timelines, and deemed approvals<\/h2>\n

A major deficiency of the Old PNG Rules<\/a> was the absence of clear procedures for grant, renewal, extension, and modification of leases. The New PNG Rules<\/a> address this through prescribed application formats, defined timelines for governmental decisions and deemed approval mechanisms where timelines are not adhered to.<\/p>\n

The lease tenure framework has also been rationalised, initial term: 4 to 30 years and further extensions are provided till the economic life of the field, in instalments of up to 30 years (Rules 7 and 10)3<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Area management and operational flexibility<\/h2>\n

The New PNG Rules<\/a> introduce flexibility in area management through freedom to select lease areas at the application stage, structured relinquishment procedures with notice periods and timelines (Rule 11)4<\/sup><\/a>, introduction of a special petroleum lease for surveys and data acquisition, with a maximum term of four years, and permission to merge multiple leases for operational efficiency. Such provisions align Indian regulation with global upstream best practices.<\/p>\n

Financial regime: Rent, royalty, and security deposits<\/h2>\n

The Old PNG Rules<\/a> required payment of dead rent or royalty, whichever was higher. The New PNG Rules<\/a> adopt a clearer financial structure: lease rent payable at revised rates for the full lease term (Rule 9)5<\/sup><\/a>, and royalty payable strictly as per the ORD Act<\/a> upon commencement of production.<\/p>\n

Security deposits have been revised to Rs 25 lakh from the nominal amounts prescribed in 1959, a revision justified by inflation and the contemporary scale of operations.<\/p>\n

Reservoir extension and statutory recognition of subsurface reality<\/h2>\n

Earlier the issues were addressed through contractual provision is in PSC\/RSC, wherein powers are with a Management Committee, are now statutorily recognised (Rule 12)6<\/sup><\/a>. Now, lessees are required to notify the Central Government upon discovering reservoir extensions beyond lease boundaries, ascertain the reservoir extent and apply for lease area extension up to reservoir limits. This provision strengthens legal certainty while recognising geological realities.<\/p>\n

Lease cancellation and regulatory balance<\/h2>\n

While the power to cancel leases for default is retained, the New PNG Rules<\/a> introduce a 90-day cure period (Rule 18)7<\/sup><\/a>, reflecting a more rational and investor-friendly approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unitisation: Statutory recognition with diluted authority<\/h2>\n

The New PNG Rules<\/a> introduce statutory unitisation provisions (Rule 13)<\/span>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span>, requiring cooperation among lessees where reservoirs extend across adjoining areas. Production continuity is prioritised in public interest.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the earlier provisions in the contract were more stringent than the provisions in the New PNG Rules<\/a>. Under the contract, the Government is empowered to call for a joint development plan from an independent agency and despite disagreement between the parties if such joint development plan is approved by the Government, it is binding on the parties. This mechanism provides a first-tier resolution of dispute. The contractual provision is diluted in the statute, and such dilution may lead to unnecessary litigations.<\/p>\n

Stabilisation and expropriation safeguards<\/h2>\n

The inclusion of a stabilisation clause (Rule 15)<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> provides assurance against adverse economic impacts of legal changes by restoring economic equilibrium. Additionally, expropriation for public purposes is accompanied by compensation based on fair market value, which surely will enhance the investor confidence, particularly foreign investor.<\/span><\/p>\n

ESG integration and decarbonisation mandates<\/h2>\n

For the first time, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles have been comprehensively embedded in subordinate petroleum legislation through Rules 37—42<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span>, introducing a structured regulatory framework for environmental accountability in upstream operations. These provisions mandate monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, measurement and disclosure of gas flaring, planned reduction of emissions, the imposition of a flaring cap of 0.5 per cent of monthly production, and the requirement of permits for greenhouse gas injection and sequestration. Collectively, these measures align India’s upstream petroleum regulations with global climate commitments and international best practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Integrated energy projects and post-lease continuity<\/h2>\n

The New PNG Rules<\/a> permit integration of renewable and alternative energy projects such as solar, wind, hydrogen, and geothermal, within oilfield areas, even beyond the term of petroleum lease term. This marks a significant step towards integrated energy planning, though the absence of single-window clearances may limit practical ease of implementation.<\/p>\n

Infrastructure sharing<\/h2>\n

Shared infrastructure is permitted, allowing lessees to jointly develop facilities or seek access to excess capacity of another lessee’s infrastructure. Where mutual agreement on such use cannot be reached, a lessee may apply to the Central Government for determination of excess capacity and permission for its use. The Central Government, either on such application or suo motu in public interest, may call for information, determine the existence of excess capacity, and after hearing both parties, prescribe the terms and conditions for its use, having due regard to the operational requirements of the owner or developer. The measures taken are really workable and will certainly be helpful in optimal utilisation of infrastructure and resources.<\/p>\n

Strengthened enforcement and dispute resolution<\/h2>\n

Enforcement mechanisms have been significantly and rationally strengthened through decriminalisation and enhanced penalties of up to Rs 25 lakh, along with daily penalties for continuing contraventions, the establishment of an adjudicating authority vested with powers akin to those of a civil court. New rules provide a detailed procedure for imposition and adjudication of penalty.<\/p>\n

Earlier arbitration was provided in the contract. Now in accordance with the provisions of the Act, New PNG Rules<\/a> are drafted incorporating arbitration in the rules. Precise guidelines for arbitration are provided, including specifying New Delhi (or a neutral jurisdiction for foreign companies) as the seat of arbitration. Provisions will certainly be helpful in attracting investment in India.<\/p>\n

Transitional provisions<\/h2>\n

One of the established touchstones for assessing the quality of legislation is how it manages the shift from the earlier regime to the new framework for existing stakeholders. Judged on this criterion, the transitional provisions provide a smooth and orderly transition. Existing lessees are permitted to continue operations under their prevailing contractual arrangements until the expiry of their respective leases, with an option to migrate to the new regime during the subsistence of the lease. Upon expiry of the lease, transition to the framework under New PNG Rules<\/a><\/span> is mandatory.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relinquishment of idle nomination blocks<\/h2>\n

New PNG Rules<\/a> provide for relinquishment of long-idle nomination blocks with no production activity. Such areas, once relinquished, may be offered under the open acreage licensing system, potentially attracting new investment and enhancing hydrocarbon production in national interest.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The New PNG Rules<\/a> represent a substantive evolution in India’s upstream petroleum governance, shifting from contract-centric regulation to a rule-based statutory framework. While certain areas may require further strengthening but still reforms largely succeed in aligning regulatory certainty, investor confidence, environmental responsibility, and national interest. Considerable effort is evident in the framing of the Rules, and it is hoped that their implementation will augur well for the future of the exploration and production sector in India.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

*Chief Manager — Legal, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), BCom, LLB from Delhi University, LLM (Kurukshetra University), CAIIB (Indian Institute of Banking and Finance) Course in International Commercial and Investment Treaty (NLU Delhi) Course in Cyber Law ( The Indian Law Institute). Author can be reached at: satishkumar002@bharatpetroleum.in<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

1.<\/a> Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025, G.S.R. 888(E) (Notified on 9-12-2025).<\/p>\n

2.<\/a> Note: The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i<\/span>), vide, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 1959<\/a>, G.S.R. 1288 (Notified on 25-11-1959), and subsequently amended vide—<\/p>\n

1. Notification No. G.S.R. 842 dated 30th May, 1964, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i<\/span>)<\/p>\n

2. Notification No. G.S.R. 339 dated 26th February, 1965, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i).<\/p>\n

3. Notification No. G.S.R. 371 dated 9th March, 1966, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

4. Notification No. G.S.R. 1868 dated 25th September, 1968, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

5. Notification No. G.S.R. 792 dated 3rd March, 1969, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

6. Notification No. G.S.R. 161 dated 3rd February, 1973, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

7. Notification No. G.S.R. 398 dated 4th April, 1973, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

8. Notification No. G.S.R. 684 dated 5th May, 1976, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i).<\/p>\n

9. Notification No. G.S.R. 792(E) dated 8th September, 1976, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

10. Notification No. G.S.R. 1457 dated 22nd November, 1979, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

11. Notification No. G.S.R. 211(E) dated 26th March, 1981, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

12. Notification No. G.S.R. 1034(E) dated 25th August, 1986, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

13. Notification No. G.S.R. 867 dated 29th September, 1987, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

14. Notification No. G.S.R. 296, dated 17th April, 1989, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

15. Notification No. G.S.R. 108(E) dated 18th February, 1991, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

16. Notification No. G.S.R. 761(E) dated 10th September, 1992, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

17. Notification No. G.S.R. 51(E) dated 5th February, 1993, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

18. Notification No. G.S.R. 686(E) dated 12th September, 1994, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

19. Notification No. G.S.R. 152(E), dated 27th March, 1996, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

20. Notification No. G.S.R. 295(E), dated 1st April, 2003, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

21. Notification No. G.S.R. 813(E), dated 16th December, 2004, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i).<\/p>\n

22. Notification No. G.S.R. 507(E), dated 28th August, 2006, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

23. Notification No. G.S.R. 899(E), dated 25th November, 2009, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

24. Notification No. G.S.R. 874(E), dated 13th November, 2014, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, S. 3, sub-sec. (i)<\/p>\n

25. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Petroleum and Natural Gas (Amendment) Rules, 2018, G.S.R. 671(E) (Notified on 24-7-2018).<\/p>\n

3.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

5.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

6.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

7.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

8.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

9.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

10.<\/a> Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Satish kumar*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":378386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42503,1191],"tags":[100526,100525,100521,100520,100523,100524,100527,100522],"class_list":["post-378385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-analysis","category-op-ed","tag-exploration-and-production-law-india","tag-oil-and-gas-regulatory-framework-india","tag-oilfields-regulation-and-development-act-analysis","tag-petroleum-and-natural-gas-rules-2025","tag-petroleum-regulatory-reforms-india","tag-png-rules-2025-commentary","tag-scc-times-petroleum-law-article","tag-upstream-petroleum-governance-india"],"yoast_head":"\nPetroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025: Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Analysis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and reforms under the Oilfields Act reshaping India's upstream petroleum governance.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Analysis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and reforms under the Oilfields Act reshaping India's upstream petroleum governance.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SCC Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-14T04:30:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"886\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"590\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/\",\"name\":\"Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025: Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-03-14T04:30:02+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe\"},\"description\":\"Analysis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and reforms under the Oilfields Act reshaping India's upstream petroleum governance.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.webp\",\"width\":886,\"height\":590,\"caption\":\"Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Recasting India’s Upstream Petroleum Governance\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"SCC Times\",\"description\":\"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe\",\"name\":\"Editor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Editor\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_4\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025: Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance","description":"Analysis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and reforms under the Oilfields Act reshaping India's upstream petroleum governance.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance","og_description":"Analysis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and reforms under the Oilfields Act reshaping India's upstream petroleum governance.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/","og_site_name":"SCC Times","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/","article_published_time":"2026-03-14T04:30:02+00:00","og_image":[{"width":886,"height":590,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Editor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Editor","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/","name":"Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025: Recasting India's Upstream Petroleum Governance","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.webp","datePublished":"2026-03-14T04:30:02+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe"},"description":"Analysis of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and reforms under the Oilfields Act reshaping India's upstream petroleum governance.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.webp","width":886,"height":590,"caption":"Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/14\/petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025-upstream-petroleum-governance-analysis\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Recasting India’s Upstream Petroleum Governance"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/","name":"SCC Times","description":"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/84e42bab48238baf12c7e33b3d9761fe","name":"Editor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/34e366be721c41333586de05faa13743195f5b142dcd7a015c6fabd2389521d0?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Editor"},"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/editor_4\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Petroleum-and-Natural-Gas-Rules-2025.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":378576,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/17\/cam-advises-government-of-india-petroleum-natural-gas-rules-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":378385,"position":0},"title":"Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India on the drafting of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025","author":"Editor","date":"March 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, on drafting the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025 under the Oilfield (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025. The firm also assisted in revising the Model Revenue Sharing Contract under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy.","rel":"","context":"In "Law Firms News"","block_context":{"text":"Law Firms News","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/news\/law-firms-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"CAM Advises Government On Petroleum Rules 2025","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CAM-Advises-Government-On-Petroleum-Rules-2025.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CAM-Advises-Government-On-Petroleum-Rules-2025.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CAM-Advises-Government-On-Petroleum-Rules-2025.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/CAM-Advises-Government-On-Petroleum-Rules-2025.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":380120,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/04\/03\/pngrb-consumer-protection-regulations-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":378385,"position":1},"title":"PNGRB (Consumer Protection) Regulations, 2025 — Consumer Rights & Grievance Redressal","author":"Kriti","date":"April 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"These Regulations have been notified to strengthen consumer rights across India\u2019s oil and gas sector. These Regulations ensure safety, quality supply, fair trade practices, timely grievance redressal, and consumer education, while preserving rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.","rel":"","context":"In "Legislation Updates"","block_context":{"text":"Legislation Updates","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/legislationupdates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"PNGRB Consumer Protection","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PNGRB-Consumer-Protection.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PNGRB-Consumer-Protection.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PNGRB-Consumer-Protection.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PNGRB-Consumer-Protection.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6693,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2015\/07\/14\/petroleum-and-natural-gas-regulatory-board-cannot-determine-the-mrp-and-compression-charges-for-cng-with-regard-to-city-or-local-gas-distribution-network\/","url_meta":{"origin":378385,"position":2},"title":"Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board cannot determine the MRP, and compression charges for CNG with regard to city or local gas distribution network","author":"Sucheta","date":"July 14, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Supreme Court: While deciding the issue that whether the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (hereinafter the Board) is empowered to regulate\/fix the maximum retail price (MRP) of the gas sold by entities like Indraprasth Gas Ltd., and fix network tariff and compression charge for entities having their own distribution\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Supreme Court"","block_context":{"text":"Supreme Court","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/supremecourt\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":211816,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2019\/03\/12\/utt-hc-court-places-confidence-on-the-ministry-on-its-policy-decision-to-setup-petroleum-retail-outlets-puts-locus-standi-itself-into-question\/","url_meta":{"origin":378385,"position":3},"title":"Utt HC | Court places confidence on the Ministry on its policy decision to setup petroleum retail outlets, puts locus standi itself into question","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"March 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Uttaranchal High Court:\u00a0The Division Bench of Ramesh Ranganathan, CJ and N.S. Dhanik, J. dismissed an appeal while placing reliance on the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for its policy decision and found no reason to entertain the petition since the locus standi of the petitioner was itself in doubt.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":378520,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/03\/16\/lpg-amendment-order-2026-png-lpg-dual-connection-ban\/","url_meta":{"origin":378385,"position":4},"title":"LPG Amendment Order 2026: PNG Users Barred from Domestic LPG Connections","author":"Kriti","date":"March 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"LPG Amendment Order bars PNG consumers from retaining or obtaining domestic LPG connections, mandating surrender and prohibiting dual connections by Government oil companies.","rel":"","context":"In "Legislation Updates"","block_context":{"text":"Legislation Updates","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/legislationupdates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"LPG Amendment Order 2026 PNG LPG dual connection ban","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LPG-Amendment-Order-2026-PNG-LPG-dual-connection-ban.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LPG-Amendment-Order-2026-PNG-LPG-dual-connection-ban.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LPG-Amendment-Order-2026-PNG-LPG-dual-connection-ban.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LPG-Amendment-Order-2026-PNG-LPG-dual-connection-ban.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":254389,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/09\/17\/petroleum-and-natural-gas-regulatory-board-integrity-management-system-for-petroleum-and-petroleum-products-pipelines-regulations-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":378385,"position":5},"title":"Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Integrity Management System for Petroleum and Petroleum Products Pipelines) Regulations, 2021","author":"Prachi Bhardwaj","date":"September 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has published the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Integrity Management System for Petroleum and Petroleum Products Pipelines) Regulations, 2021 on August 27, 2021. Key features of the Regulations are: Applicability: These regulations shall apply to all the entities engaged in laying, building,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Legislation Updates"","block_context":{"text":"Legislation Updates","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/legislationupdates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Parliament_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Parliament_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Parliament_Colour.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Parliament_Colour.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Parliament_Colour.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67011"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=378385"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378385\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/378386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=378385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=378385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=378385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}