US firm eyes wider search for native hydrogen

MANILA, Philippines — US-based Koloma Inc. is hoping to expand its search for native hydrogen resources in the Philippines, with the East Palawan Basin as its latest target.

Based on an invitation posted on its website, the Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking other parties to challenge Koloma’s application for a nominated area covering 712,000 hectares.

READ: DOE eyes Palawan ‘white hydrogen’ as potential energy source

Potential participants have until Oct. 14 to submit their documents. The opening of the proposals would likewise be conducted on the same day.

The winning bidder would secure a contract under the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program.

So far, the Philippines has three natural hydrogen service contracts, all awarded to Koloma to exclusively explore portions of Pangasinan and Zambales.

In a previous statement, the DOE cited geological studies, showing that Central Luzon was “among the world’s most promising areas for naturally occurring hydrogen.”

READ: US firm secures new natural hydrogen service contract

Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of sources, which experts said is more climate friendly since it does not emit carbon dioxide.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin earlier said that the government is ramping up efforts to tap more indigenous energy sources to cut its reliance on imported fuels.

Government data show that up to 98 percent of crude oil imports used to come from the Middle East. INQ