Natural gas eyed as fuel for transport sector

The government has formed a multi-agency task force that will push for programs aimed at encouraging the use of indigenous sources of energy, such as natural gas, in the transport sector, a ranking government official said.

In a recent forum sponsored by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Energy undersecretary Cyril del Callar said the task force will be composed of the Department of Energy (DOE), Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA). It will study the prospects of natural gas and other indigenous sources as an alternative fuel for transport applications.

Del Callar said they are now focusing on compressed natural gas (CNG) as a possible source of cheap fuel in the future. The government has tapped the Japan Export and Trade Organization (JETRO) for technical assistance in a study on the prospects of converting diesel-run vehicles into CNG-powered vehicles (CNG).

The JETRO-sponsored study titled "Feasibility Study on CNG Development" is expected to come up with a national program to commercialize natural gas vehicle (NGV).

At the same time, DOE said it is in discussions with a German firm for the possible construction of a CNG plant and/or supplying the fuel needs of CNG buses and trucks. The Germany-based company is known as one of the leading suppliers of CNG vehicles.

Another endeavor is the conversion of DOE/PNOC-Energy Development Corp. shuttle buses and a DOE service vehicle to NGVs. This is a joint project to showcase NGVs in the forthcoming National Energy Week celebration in December.

Initially, the DOE is targeting to convert some buses traversing the routes of EDSA, Manila-Batangas and Isabela-Batangas. These areas are being considered as possible sites for a depot or terminal of the country’s natural gas resources.

So far, there are only two natural gas reservoirs in the country. These are the Malampaya natural gas field in Northwest, Palawan and a small gas reservoir in Isabela.

Malampaya, the biggest gas reservoir in the country, had its first gas delivery this month. – Donnabelle Gatdula