^

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.

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
NBI issues subpoena to VP Sara Duterte over ‘assassination’ remarks

NBI issues subpoena to VP Sara Duterte over ‘assassination’ remarks

By Ian Laqui | 20 hours ago
NBI personnel served the summons to Duterte on Tuesday afternoon at the Office of the Vice President in Mandaluyong City...
Headlines
fbtw
Palace hits Duterte ‘ selfish’ call for AFP action

Palace hits Duterte ‘ selfish’ call for AFP action

By Alexis Romero | 10 hours ago
Malacañang yesterday assailed former president Rodrigo Duterte over what it branded as a “selfish” and...
Headlines
fbtw
Sara Duterte gets technical: 'I never used the word assassin'

Sara Duterte gets technical: 'I never used the word assassin'

By Cristina Chi | 17 hours ago
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, November 26, railed against accusations she threatened to kill President Ferdinand...
Headlines
fbtw
Duterte: Military is only hope for fractured Philippines

Duterte: Military is only hope for fractured Philippines

By Edith Regalado | 10 hours ago
Describing the country as currently in a state of “hemorrhage” under the administration of President Marcos, former...
Headlines
fbtw
OVP’s Lopez to seek court relief from House detention

OVP’s Lopez to seek court relief from House detention

By Neil Jayson Servallos | 10 hours ago
Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez will be suing for her freedom from detention under the House of Representatives, Vice President...
Headlines
fbtw
Latest
abtest
President Marcos, UAE leader vow to boost economic ties

President Marcos, UAE leader vow to boost economic ties

By Alexis Romero | 10 hours ago
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have committed to strengthen cooperation in key areas as President Marcos...
Headlines
fbtw
DA OKs additional 8,280 metric tons fish imports

DA OKs additional 8,280 metric tons fish imports

By Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas | 10 hours ago
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it approved the additional importation of 8,280 metric tons (MT) of frozen small pelagic...
Headlines
fbtw
Comelec mulls anti-discriminatory campaign rules

Comelec mulls anti-discriminatory campaign rules

By Mayen Jaymalin | 10 hours ago
The Commission on Elections is looking to implement “anti-discrimination” campaign rules for the May 2025 midterm...
Headlines
fbtw

China mining black sand in Zambales? AFP keeps watch

By Michael Punongbayan | 10 hours ago
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is keeping a tight watch over possible black sand mining in Zambales, allegedly by the Chinese who might be using its iron and mineral content for military technology p...
Headlines
fbtw
Senate OKs 2025 budget minus OVP, AKAP funds

Senate OKs 2025 budget minus OVP, AKAP funds

By Cecille Suerte Felipe | 10 hours ago
The Senate passed on third and final reading yesterday the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025, but with controversial...
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