US firm expands hunt for native hydrogen in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — US-based Koloma Inc. wants to expand its search for native hydrogen resources beyond Zambales and Pangasinan, this time proposing to explore offshore Palawan.

In an invitation for challenge, the Department of Energy (DOE) said other interested companies may submit competing applications for the 712,000-hectare area nominated by Koloma in the East Palawan Basin.

A pre-submission conference was scheduled for Sept. 4, while challengers have until Oct. 14 to submit their documents, when the bids will also be opened.

Challengers must pay the corresponding application fee of P1 million on or before the bid submission deadline.

If Koloma secures the area, it would become the company’s fourth native hydrogen service contract in the Philippines.

The government granted Service Contract 92 to the US firm in July, expanding its exclusive exploration rights to western Zambales.

This followed the two other native hydrogen contracts — SCs 83 and 84 in Central Luzon — that the company secured last year.

Koloma earlier kicked off exploration activities in Pangasinan with a 2D seismic survey to map underground geological features and identify potential hydrogen-bearing formations.

The survey came after initial geological sampling showed findings that warranted further studies and exploration.

The DOE expects drilling activities to begin later this year or early 2027. 

If commercially viable reserves are confirmed, native hydrogen could emerge as an additional indigenous energy source to support the country’s clean energy transition.

Native hydrogen is a naturally occurring resource found beneath the earth’s surface, unlike conventional hydrogen, which is produced through industrial processes. 

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the awarding of hydrogen contracts underscores the government’s push to diversify the country’s power mix.

Currently, coal dominates the power mix at around 60 percent, while renewable energy accounts for roughly 25 percent.