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GMA announces discovery of natural gas in Tarlac |
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 President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today announced that after two months of
drilling, natural gas has been discovered by a Philippine National Oil
Company (PNOC) consortium in Victoria, Tarlac in Central Luzon. In
an impromptu press conference at the Reception Hall of Malacanang, the
President said that the site where the indigenous fuel was found,
called the Victoria 3, was spudded last December 1, 2001 and drilled
to a total depth of 9,000 feet and natural gas flowed and flared at
the depth of between 5,175 and 5,505 feet."The well has continuously been flowing since Friday, February 8," the President said. While the total volume of the gas reserves has yet to be fully determined pending the conduct of further evaluation tests and drilling operations by the consortium, the President expressed optimism that this latest natural gas discovery will be a catalyst that will spur exploration and drilling operations in the area and eventually generate economic activities in what is considered to be a basically agricultural region. The Philippines is now producing natural gas and crude oil from the multibillion-dollar Malampaya gas project off the waters of Palawan. According to the President, this new natural gas find may provide additional energy source for the country. She said it is also a good indication of the prospects of Central Luzon not only as a rice-producing region but also as a petroleum basin. The gas find is nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Mt. Arayat in Central Luzon. "Much has been said about increased economic activities in Southern Luzon. We believe it is about time that we further develop Central Luzon as we introduce a new industry – the natural gas industry," the President said. The results of Victoria 3 discovery tests would enhance the petroleum prospects of Central Luzon, the President pointed out, as she expressed the belief that this find will generate interests from foreign exploration and power companies. The President called on Filipino and foreign companies with expertise in this sector to tie up with PNOC to fully develop this gas potential further.  Energy
Secretary Vicente Perez explained that the drilling of Victoria 3 was
in compliance with the instruction of the President last October 2001
to increase exploration development activities of prospective fields
and revisit discovered onshore wells in different parts of the country
in a bid to sustain the growth of natural gas industry, especially in
the countryside.
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