🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📌 The Question:

Consider the following activities:

I. Production of crude oil
II. Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum
III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products
IV. Production of natural gas

How many of the above activities are regulated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in our country?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four

✅ Correct Answer: (b) Only two

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🧠 Curiosity Raiser

Why does the government regulate downstream energy markets but not the actual drilling of oil and gas?
Because competition and consumer protection matter most where products meet markets.

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📘 Enrichment Notes (Statutory Clarity)

🔹 About PNGRB

• Established under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006
• Objective:
  • Protect consumer interests
  • Promote competitive markets
  • Ensure adequate and uninterrupted supply

🔹 What PNGRB regulates

• Refining, processing, storage of petroleum ✅
• Transportation, distribution of petroleum & natural gas ✅
• Marketing and sale of petroleum products ✅

➡️ Hence:

• Statement II ✅ Correct
• Statement III ✅ Correct

❌ What PNGRB does NOT regulate

• Production of crude oil ❌
• Production of natural gas ❌

(Upstream exploration & production are governed by separate policy and contractual frameworks like NELP/HELP)

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Applying to the question

• I ❌
• II ✅
• III ✅
• IV ❌

➡️ Total regulated activities = 2

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🧘‍♂️ IAS Monk Whisper

The wellhead belongs to policy, but the marketplace belongs to regulation.