^

Headlines

Phl shelves seismic project in Spratlys

- Donnabelle L. Gatdula -
May 23, 2011 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines -  The government has put on hold plans to conduct a seismic undertaking in the Kalayaan Islands in the Spratlys, a top energy official said over the weekend.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said they decided to put the proposed program in the back burner pending resolution of some issues.

“As far as the DOE (Department of Energy) is concerned... it has been put on hold. We do not want to move without the go signal from the foreign affairs department,” he said.

Almendras said “it’s better to ask the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) on this matter. The DFA group has the most appropriate answer on this.”

He also said the Philippines has talked with the government of Vietnam on a possible cooperation agreement similar to the joint marine seismic undertaking (JMSU).

The JMSU, which was signed in March 2005 by the Philippines and China, called for the two countries’ joint exploration of petroleum resource potential in the South China Sea. When Vietnam, a claimant of portions of the Spratlys, protested, it was included in the agreement. The JMSU was not renewed after it lapsed in July 2008.

“There was a good development in ASEAN: we’re all going to work together to try to resolve some problems common to all of us, particularly fuel and food supply. There have been discussions. It’s a common problem. ASEAN will discuss it further. The foreign affairs ministers will discuss, and the Department of Foreign Affairs is in the best position to discuss these issues,” Almendras said.

Since late 2009 the DOE has reportedly been in the process of selecting international contractors to conduct seismic acquisition program for the Reed Bank Basin, including the Kalayaan Islands.

Earlier released data from the DOE showed a shortlist of four international contractors for the 2D seismic survey.

The shortlist includes PGS Asia Pacific (Singapore) through its representative Nick Newham, CGG Veritas (Singapore) through Dominic Boitier, Fugro Geo Team AS of Norway through Armat Jani Girsang, and Geraldine Geo Survey Lt. of the United Kingdom represented by Cliff Whatrup.

Sources at the DOE earlier revealed this was merely data gathering that would allow the Philippine government to identify potential reserves in these areas.

The DOE noted that the program, with a cost of P75 million, was specifically utilized for the so-called Philippine National Continental Shelf Delimitation Project.

“The provision of services to acquire and process new 2D seismic data, gravity and magnetic data in the Reed Bank and Kalayaan Island Group is for the Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) Project submission to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas,” the document said.

The DOE sources, however, declined to elaborate on project details as this may result in another controversy on the disputed territory.

The Reed Bank basin is about 71,000 sq. km. in area and located about 250 kms west of Palawan.

The DOE earlier estimated total resources in the basin at 440 million barrels of oil.

vuukle comment

ALMENDRAS

ARMAT JANI GIRSANG

ASIA PACIFIC

CLIFF WHATRUP

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

DOE

DOMINIC BOITIER

ENERGY SECRETARY JOSE RENE ALMENDRAS

EXTENDED CONTINENTAL SHELF

KALAYAAN ISLANDS
  • Latest
  • Trending
Trending
Latest
Trending
abtest
abtest
EJK remains a ‘serious problem’ in the Philippines — U.S. State Department

EJK remains a ‘serious problem’ in the Philippines — U.S. State Department

By Ian Laqui | 11 days ago
In a 58-page Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the U.S. Department of State said that the human rights situation...
Headlines
fbtw
10 provinces launching action plans in West Philippine Sea

10 provinces launching action plans in West Philippine Sea

By Bella Cariaso | 10 hours ago
The 10 provinces covering the entire stretch of the West Philippine Sea will launch this month provincial action plans in...
Headlines
fbtw
Fil-Ams in Hawaii concerned over West Philippine Sea issue

Fil-Ams in Hawaii concerned over West Philippine Sea issue

By Iris Gonzales | 10 hours ago
Filipinos in Hawaii are concerned over the growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea given the island state’s proximity...
Headlines
fbtw
More granular, location-specific heat indexes sought

More granular, location-specific heat indexes sought

By Cecille Suerte Felipe | 10 hours ago
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) should come up with more granular...
Headlines
fbtw
16 areas could hit 'danger' level heat index

16 areas could hit 'danger' level heat index

By Rosette Adel | 22 hours ago
A total of 16 areas in the Philippines are forecast to fall under the "danger" heat index classification on...
Headlines
fbtw
Latest
abtest
P40/kilo rice not achievable – FFF

P40/kilo rice not achievable – FFF

By Bella Cariaso | 10 hours ago
The retail price of rice will not return to its previous level of P40 per kilo as the prevailing cost in the market remains...
Headlines
fbtw
Ex-DA chief: El Niño damage to agriculture underreported

Ex-DA chief: El Niño damage to agriculture underreported

By Bella Cariaso | 10 hours ago
The damage caused by the El Niño phenomenon to the agriculture sector is underreported, according to former Department...
Headlines
fbtw
DOLE stops issuing permits for POGO foreign workers

DOLE stops issuing permits for POGO foreign workers

By Mayen Jaymalin | 10 hours ago
The Department of Labor and Employment is no longer issuing work permits to foreign workers employed in Philippine offshore...
Headlines
fbtw
3 Philippine universities rank in 4 subject areas in Quacquarelli Symonds

3 Philippine universities rank in 4 subject areas in Quacquarelli Symonds

By Neil Jayson Servallos | 10 hours ago
Three Philippine universities landed in four of five major subject areas in this year’s Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World...
Headlines
fbtw
Bill seeks P5,000 allowance for government day care workers

Bill seeks P5,000 allowance for government day care workers

By Delon Porcalla | 10 hours ago
An administration lawmaker has filed a bill in the House of Representatives that aims to provide each day care worker...
Headlines
fbtw
Recommended
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with