PNGRB releases draft technical, safety standards for oil refineries, gas processing plants

PNGRB has released draft technical standards and safety specifications for refineries and gas processing plants, and has sought comments from stakeholders within 30 days
PNGRB releases draft technical, safety standards for oil refineries, gas processing plants
  • The regulations lay down minimum requirements of layout for unloading or loading, storage, processing, transfer & handling of hydrocarbons, et al in refineries and gas processing plants

  • Any entity intending to set up Refineries and Gas Processing Plants shall make available its detailed plan to PESO for approval prior to approaching PNGRB

New Delhi: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has released draft 'Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Petroleum Refineries and Gas Processing Plants,' and has sought comments from stakeholders within 30 days. The regulations lay down minimum requirements of layout within the plant boundary for unloading or loading, storage, processing, transfer and handling of hydrocarbons/ other hazardous substances / chemicals in Refineries and Gas Processing Plants and shall apply to all refineries and gas processing plants.

"This regulation applies to all entities engaged in Operation of Petroleum Refineries and/ or Gas processing plant to ensure Safe and reliable operations through complete lifecycle of the project. It shall be necessary to comply with all statutory rules, regulations and Acts in force as applicable and requisite approvals shall be obtained from the relevant competent authorities for Refineries and Gas Processing Plants," said the draft released by PNGRB.

PNGRB regulations focus primarily on safety aspects

These standards are intended to ensure uniform application of design principles in layout and to guide in selection and application of materials and components, equipment and systems and uniform operation and maintenance of the Refineries and Gas Processing Plants and shall primarily focus on safety aspects of the employees, public and facilities associated with Refineries and Gas Processing Plants, said the regulatory board.
The regulations also cover engineering considerations in design, installation, operation, maintenance, inspection including fire protection and safety systems. 

PNGRB or board-accredited third party to monitor compliance

Compliance to these regulations will either be monitored directly by PNGRB or through an accredited third party. "The Board of the entity (refinery or the gas processing plant) shall appoint one of its directors, within ninety days of these regulations coming into force, to be responsible for ensuring compliance to these regulations," said the document.

"Any entity intending to set up Refineries and Gas Processing Plants shall make available its detailed plan, including design consideration, conforming to these regulations to PESO for their approval prior to seeking registration with the Board," said PNGRB.

What if a refinery or gas processing plant is found lacking?

If an entity has laid, built, constructed, under-construction or expanded the refineries and gas processing plants based on some other standard or is not meeting the requirements specified in these regulations, the entity shall carry out a detailed analysis through one or combination of multiple PHA techniques such as: HAZOP, HAZID, Qualitative Risk Analysis, LOPA and QRA of its infrastructure, the PNGRB said. 

"The entity shall thereafter take approval from its Board for non-conformities and mitigation measures. The entity's Board approval along with the compliance report, gap analysis, mitigation measures and implementation schedule shall be submitted to the PNGRB Board within six months from the date of notification of these regulations… In case of any deviation or shortfall, including any of the following defaults, the entity shall be given reasonable time limit for rectification of such deviation, shortfall, default," said the document.

In case of non-compliance, the entity shall be liable for any penal action under the provisions of the Act or termination of operation or termination of authorisation, said PNGRB. There shall be a system for ensuring compliance to the provision of these regulations through conduct of technical and safety audits during the construction, pre-commissioning and operation phase.

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