A Philex Petroleum unit, Forum Energy PLC., will no longer send its geotechnical vessel to the Recto Bank area this year to conduct the drilling for exploratory wells in the vicinity.

Manuel Pangilinan, Philex Mining Corp. chairman, told reporters on Wednesday that Forum Energy could not meet the August 2013 deadline given by the Department of Energy for the study of phase 1 drilling for Recto Bank.

He said that the drilling for this year would be very unlikely given that the weather window is from March to April, and much time is needed to mobilize.

“We need a survey sheet first on site to determine the sea basin for stability for an oil rig, on a certain size and weight, plus to determine the base line in ecological characteristics on where we will drill,” Pangilinan said.

“That’s the requirement of government. So before an oil rig can be put in place, we will need this survey sheet to be there to determine these two things—the base line environmental characteristics of the drilling location, and, number two, the stability of the sea floor to support an oil rig. So we haven’t done that yet,” he added.

Pangilinan said that they have asked for an extension regarding the deadline for the phase 1 of the project, and the Energy department gave them an extension until August 2013, which is still not enough time for them to conduct such an activity.

As for the permit for doing the survey, Pangilinan said that, “technically, that is within our work program but remember there was a circular that said before you engage in an activity in the west Philippine sea, you must give 90 days notice to department before we do that.”

“We’ve done that July 4 and no reply, so we couldn’t do it,” he added.

Pangilinan also mentioned that the progress on Recto Bank will “always” be dependent on the country’s issues with China. China is claiming Recto Bank, which is located within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

This drilling on Recto Bank’s exploratory wells is connected with Forum Energy’s petroleum service contract area along the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) under Service Contract 72.

Pangilinan earlier said that Forum Energy might need more time to meet its commitments in exploring Recto Bank.

Philex Mining, through its interests in FEC Resources Inc. and Philex Petroleum Corp., controls 64.45 percent of the capital shares of Forum Energy.

2013 exploratory drilling for Recto Bank postponed

A Philex Petroleum unit, Forum Energy PLC., will no longer send its geotechnical vessel to the Recto Bank area this year to conduct the drilling for exploratory wells in the vicinity.
Manuel Pangilinan, Philex Mining Corp. chairman, told reporters on Wednesday that Forum Energy could not meet the August 2013 deadline given by the Department of Energy for the study of phase 1 drilling for Recto Bank.
He said that the drilling for this year would be very unlikely given that the weather window is from March to April, and much time is needed to mobilize.
“We need a survey sheet first on site to determine the sea basin for stability for an oil rig, on a certain size and weight, plus to determine the base line in ecological characteristics on where we will drill,” Pangilinan said.
“That’s the requirement of government. So before an oil rig can be put in place, we will need this survey sheet to be there to determine these two things—the base line environmental characteristics of the drilling location, and, number two, the stability of the sea floor to support an oil rig. So we haven’t done that yet,” he added.
Pangilinan said that they have asked for an extension regarding the deadline for the phase 1 of the project, and the Energy department gave them an extension until August 2013, which is still not enough time for them to conduct such an activity.
As for the permit for doing the survey, Pangilinan said that, “technically, that is within our work program but remember there was a circular that said before you engage in an activity in the west Philippine sea, you must give 90 days notice to department before we do that.”
“We’ve done that July 4 and no reply, so we couldn’t do it,” he added.
Pangilinan also mentioned that the progress on Recto Bank will “always” be dependent on the country’s issues with China. China is claiming Recto Bank, which is located within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
This drilling on Recto Bank’s exploratory wells is connected with Forum Energy’s petroleum service contract area along the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) under Service Contract 72.
Pangilinan earlier said that Forum Energy might need more time to meet its commitments in exploring Recto Bank.
Philex Mining, through its interests in FEC Resources Inc. and Philex Petroleum Corp., controls 64.45 percent of the capital shares of Forum Energy.

Madelaine B. Miraflor


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