PNGRB releases draft rules allowing up to 5% hydrogen in household gas

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has published draft guidelines that allow hydrogen to be mixed with domestic piped natural gas at levels not exceeding 5 %. The document stresses that the blended fuel must not compromise existing city-gas distribution obligations, covering safety, integrity, quality, metering, billing, service standards and emergency handling. Authorities may impose tighter limits, halt hydrogen supply or require a return to conventional natural gas if safety protocols are threatened by incidents, complaints or billing discrepancies.

Consumers, local governments and emergency services must receive advance notice of hydrogen concentrations and related guidance. The scope of the guidelines is limited to the point of hydrogen receipt through the blending facility to the downstream distribution area, while upstream production, transport and storage remain subject to separate regulations. Hydrogen blending is excluded from compressed natural gas, automotive fuel, transmission pipelines, pure hydrogen supply, refuelling stations, de-blending operations and non-domestic piped natural gas.