The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded a grant to promote competition in India's oil and gas industry.

Awarded to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the money will be used to develop a more transparent regulatory environment.

The $348,339 (£196,625) will be used to fund a series of technical workshops on oil and gas education in India and the US, as well as site visits and internships.

Established by the Indian government in 2006, the PNGRB aims to develop and consolidate regulation of the country's growing oil and gas industry.

The grant will assist it in developing midstream and downstream regulations across pricing, utility accounting and monitoring, safety and infrastructure development licensing.

Last week the Oxford Princeton Programme said that India provides an "ideal setting" for world-class oil and gas training.

The educational organisation added that it is committed to India building its competency both upstream and downstream.

5th Global Education and Training event for Oil and Gas: Exploration and Production