DOE plans CNG, LNG terminals in Visayas

The Department of Energy (DOE) is planning to put up compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the Visayas to help augment power requirement in the province.

In its natural gas action plan for the period 2008-2030, the DOE said it will be putting up at least two CNG refilling stations in Region 6 by 2010 to serve at least 100 to 500 units of tricycles.

In 2020, additional CNG stations for the use of buses, taxis and jeepneys will also be added.

To further encourage multi-sectoral advocacy, support and action promoting the development and use of natural gas, the DOE expects that colleges and universities will include courses and social topics on natural gas.

A few years from now, the DOE also expects that natural gas studies will be part of curriculum in colleges and universities and eventually BS Natural Gas Engineering will also be introduced.

At present, there are three natural gas fields in the country. These are the Malampaya gas project (with 2.7 trillion cubic feet) discovered in 2001; San Antonio gas (with 2.6 billion cubic feet) which went on commercial operation in 1994 and Libertad  gas field 3 which has an estimated reserves of 0.6 BCF.

The government is now promoting the use of natural gas in industry, transport, buildings andagriculture.

It is also prioritizing natural gas greenfield projects to meet up the additional power requirement of the country.

State-owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) is now taking the lead in the construction of an LNG terminal which is one of the mandates of President Arroyo to spur development in the country’s LNG industry.

PNOC , it expects to complete its $1.26 billion Bataan-Manila LNG II terminal by 2012. The terminal is expected to have a capacity of 180 million standard cubic feet per day.

Based on the proposed initial plan of PNOC-EC, the LNG terminal would power up to 1,600 megawatt (MW) power plant.

Of this, 600 MW will be for Limay A and B and possible 1,000 MW for a Greenfield natural-gas power facility.

Batman II is envisioned to be integrated with an LNG project. It would be a receiving terminal for the proposed Batman I natural gas pipeline project.

Batman I is a priority energy sector project of the government and has been declared by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) as a  project of national significance. EC secured the Environmental Compliance Certificate or ECC for the project in March 2004.

The DOE is eyeing to produce 3,000 megawatt (MW) from Greenfield natural gas projects and 1,500 MW for conversion.

Aside from the proposed 100-kilometer Batangas-Manila 1 (Batman 1) gas pipeline and 140-km Bataan-Manila II (Batman 2), the government is also proposing to construct 40 km-ET (Edsa-Taft) Loop ; 35-km Sucat-Manila (Su-Ma); 40 km Bataan-Cavite (Batcave); 35 km Robin (Rosario- Binan) and 30 km Calaca-Spurline (Catline).

Also included in the strategies of the government for natural gas development, he said, is the mandate to convert the coal-thermal power plants Sucat, Limay and Malaya to natural gas-fired power facilities.

He said aside from the conversion, they would also be promoting the construction of Greenfield natural gas facilities.