CITY OF BOGO
The Department of Energy (DOE) under service contract with NorAsian Energy Philippines, Inc. conducted offshore oil and gas exploration project in the waters of Bogo starting the first week of June this year.
The three-dimensional (3D) marine seismic survey covered an operational area of 464 sq. kms. traversing the municipalities of Borbon and Sogod including the City of Bogo while data acquisition covered mainly the waters of San Francisco and Palompon.
The territorial waters of Bogo along with other 16 municipalities of 3 provinces are part of Service Contract (SC) 69 which covers and area of 7,040 sq. kms over the Camotes Sea. SC 69 aims to acquire approximately 880 line kms of seismic data that will be used in the evalutation of geologic features that may have potential deposit for oil and gas.
Atty. Russ Mark Gamallo, Legal Officer-Visayas Field Office, said 3D survey follows a 2D survey when data gathered indicate potential results. The 2D survey was conducted between March to April 2010 which identified 2 prospects.
The 3D marine seismic survey is expectedto take a better impression of the area that may lead to exploratory drilling, Atty. Gamallo added.
On board the seismic vessel, BGP MV Discoverer 2 is a marine mammal observer installed to ensure the safety of marine mammals along the exploration site. The vessel travels a speed of 8 kms per hour (7.5 mins./km), tows 4 cables of 4.5 kms in length each at 5-8 meters underwater. On the surface orange buoys with flashing lights are attached to the end of cables.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod passed Resolution No. 048-2011 on May 11, 2011 expressing support to the petroleum exploration program of the national government and favorably endorsing the project.
Local authorities, along with department heads and representative from Bantay Dagat sat down with DOE and Norasian Energy Phils., Inc. on May 6, 2011. Among the issues and concerns the forum addresed were as follows:
1. The survey shall be outside coral reefs, marine sanctuaries and marine protected areas, dive sites and other shallow areas;
2. Safety measures shall be in placed for protection of marine stocks;
3. Safety of the seafaring vessels and the interest of fisherfolks shall not be prejudiced;
4. A just compensation scheme to a valied claim, if there will be any.
DOE through its service contractor also presented the Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The project is a realization of policy thrust of Philippine Government to ensure energy security which aims to develop the country’s indigenous energy resources under its Petroleum Exploration Program.
By Ruby Ortega-Uy
July 2011 Issue, Vol. 1 No. 1
KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN
this is bias because of atty.gamallo. vested interest in bogo city. atty.gamallo in favor because of someone from bogo.
ReplyDeleteatty.gamallo has vested interest in bogo city from doe because of someone. unfair to the govt.
ReplyDeleteyeah atty.gamallo is really bias bec. he has his favorites operator for mining company. thats unfair to the aquino administration.
ReplyDeleteYeah atty gamallo she conduct a survey to influence to her/him Ka bayanihan
ReplyDelete