New Delhi, March 19: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has issued the Petroleum and Natural Gas (Furnishing of Information) Order, 2026, requiring all industry participants to submit comprehensive operational data to the Central Government. Under the new mandate, the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) will serve as the nodal body responsible for the collection and analysis of information across the energy value chain.
The Central Government invoked Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, to establish this centralized monitoring mechanism. This legal framework allows for the regulation of production and distribution in the interest of the general public. The order encompasses a wide array of activities, including refining, storage, marketing, and the distribution of both petroleum products and natural gas.
Every entity, whether in the public or private sector, must now provide granular details regarding stock positions, import-export volumes, and transportation logistics. The directive applies to crude oil producers, LNG terminal operators, and city gas distribution firms alike. Officials stated that the move aims to create a robust data ecosystem to track supply-demand dynamics and prevent potential market disruptions.
The notification specifies that data must be provided in formats determined by the PPAC, potentially on a daily or weekly basis. A significant provision in the order clarifies that existing confidentiality clauses between private parties will not exempt them from these reporting requirements.
Government representatives maintained that these measures are intended to strengthen the national energy security framework. “The order provides the necessary transparency to ensure the availability of essential fuel resources across the country,” a ministry official affirmed. This new regulation builds upon previous frameworks, including the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, to ensure a seamless flow of information.
