Bhopal: The two-day First National Sustainability Conference in the Indian Oil and Gas Sector, organised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) in association with GAIL (India) Limited, commenced at GAIL Vijaipur on Monday with a ceremonial lamp-lighting ceremony.
The conference brought together industry executives, PNGRB board members and experts to discuss sustainability challenges and explore practical solutions for the oil and gas sector. The discussions focused on balancing economic viability with environmental responsibility, strengthening energy security and promoting sustainable business practices.
GAIL Vijaipur Hosts National Sustainability Conference
Welcoming the participants, R.K. Singh, Executive Director (O&M-CR), said the true value of the conference lay not merely in sharing achievements but also in learning from challenges and developing solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
He highlighted the importance of exchanging experiences and identifying practical approaches to integrate sustainability into the operations of the oil and gas industry.
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PNGRB Emphasises the Need to Practise Sustainability
A.K. Tiwari, Member (Commercial), PNGRB, began his address by quoting a line from the Atharvaveda: “Earth is my Mother and I am her child.”
Using the reference to Mother Earth, he encouraged participants to reflect on their responsibility towards the environment and whether their actions demonstrate responsible behaviour. He cautioned that neglecting environmental responsibilities would have consequences and emphasised the need to translate sustainability commitments into everyday practices.
Tiwari also highlighted the importance of the conference in promoting sustainable approaches across the sector and drew attention to GAIL Vijaipur’s initiatives to improve sustainability.
Sanjay Kumar Highlights Global Warming Concerns
Sanjay Kumar, Director (Marketing), GAIL, administered the integrity oath during the inaugural programme. He also raised concerns over global warming and welcomed the delegates attending the conference.
The integrity oath reinforced the importance of ethical conduct and accountability, complementing the conference’s broader focus on responsible and sustainable business practices.
PNGRB Chairperson and Industry Experts Share Perspectives
Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson, PNGRB, addressed the participants virtually, highlighting the importance of sustainability within the Indian oil and gas sector.
Daniel Grossman, Vice President at ETEDF, drew attention to the impact of methane losses. He explained that methane losses result in wasted energy, reduced revenue and weakened energy security, underlining the importance of addressing methane emissions across the sector.
Priti Sharma, Head of the Mehta Family School at IIT Indore, discussed the differences between conventional business goals and sustainable business objectives. Her discussion focused on the importance of incorporating sustainability into business decision-making.
The speakers collectively highlighted the need for the oil and gas industry to adopt approaches that support environmental protection while maintaining economic and operational efficiency.
Compendium of Successful Case Studies 2.0 Released
A key highlight of the inaugural programme was the release of the Compendium of Successful Case Studies 2.0.
The compendium was released in the presence of oil-sector executives and PNGRB board members. It showcased the importance of documenting successful initiatives and sharing practical experiences that can help organisations learn from one another and strengthen sustainability practices.
The release also supported the conference’s objective of encouraging the wider adoption of effective sustainability measures across the industry.
Poster Exhibition Inaugurated
The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Maneesh David Singh, followed by the inauguration of a poster exhibition.
The exhibition provided an additional platform for presenting sustainability-related initiatives and ideas to participating delegates.
The two-day conference aims to encourage collaboration among industry stakeholders and promote practical, scalable solutions for a more sustainable Indian oil and gas sector.
About GAIL (India) Limited
GAIL (India) Limited is a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. The company operates across the natural gas value chain, including natural gas transmission and marketing, processing, petrochemicals and related energy businesses. GAIL plays an important role in developing India’s natural gas infrastructure and supporting the country’s evolving energy requirements.
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