On Thursday September 19, the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) held their 12th TEE (The Everything Energy) Forum at its Energy Center in BGC Taguig. With PNOC President Oliver B. Butalid and Energy Business SVP Atty. Graciela M. Barleta, guest speaker Atty. Rino Abad gave a comprehensive presentation on the LNG space.

PNOC’s Energy Business SVP Atty. Graciela M. Barleta opened the floor saying “LNG has emerged as a pivotal player in the global energy transition. Colloquially called ‘transition fuel’, LNG has comparatively little impact on the environment when measured against other fossil fuels. Today’s forum is an opportunity for everyone present to learn more about LNG and why it is called the fuel of the future.”

A certified public accountant and lawyer, Director Rino Abad was the DOE’s Director for the Energy Resource Development Bureau from February 2013 – July 2017  where he supervised formulating and implementing government policies, programs and regulations relating to the exploration, development and production of indigenous petroleum, coal and geothermal energy resources. Currently, Director Abad serves as the DOE’s Director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau from August 2017 to the present. In his role, he oversees and supervises in formulating and implementing policies, plans programs, regulations on the activities of the downstream oil and natural gas industries such as importation, exportation, stockpiling, storage, shipping, transportation, refining, processing, marketing and distribution of natural gas, petroleum crude oils, products and by products as well as monitors, evaluates and recommends policies, industry guidelines, rules and regulations towards the development and promotion of the downstream oil and natural gas industries.

A luminary of the energy industry with a distinguished career at the DOE, Director Abad is frequently called upon by industry peers and the media to share his expertise, and shed light on various energy issues.

NOT JUST A TRANSITION FUEL, BUT THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE

In the forum, Director Abad shed light on LNG’s striking potential “LNG is the cleanest, safest and most efficient of fossil fuels as it is non-toxic, non corrosive, and leaves no residue when spilled. LNG is a colorless, odorless liquid with a density less than half the density of water.”  The rapt audience composed of foreign LNG and energy partners, BARMM leaders and PNOC employees were given an update on the regulations and developments on the Philippine’s natural gas.

“On the natural gas bill there continues to be ongoing deliberations in Congress; while on the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation, the current regulatory framework remains the same. There continues to be ongoing implementation of the gas policy development project phase 3 (GPDP 3) funded by the economic research institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) with a target completion in May 2026” Abad says.

PNOC LEADERSHIP KEEN TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH LNG

PNOC President Butalid disclosed that prior to the TEE forum he attended a 2PM MOU signing with BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), “Our MOU enumerated certain projects but the key project we agreed on would be to put our efforts on the self-generating industrial park in Parang, Maguindanao. Aside from the MOU, we hope to sign with Dinagat islands and Tawi-Tawi. By November, we will call on these areas and accelerate our programs.”

“As PNOC enters the LNG space, this will inevitably entail challenges since there are so many moving parts. We are inclined to get as many agencies lined up, with the vision of creating a chain of pocket industrial parks that need job opportunities. We will also continue to support our linkages particularly what we are developing now with Petronas, Pertamina and other gas suppliers. It is truly an exciting time for PNOC.” Both BARMM and LNG players were invited and present during the TEE forum.

“To clarify, we will not be a competitor to any of the players in the LNG business. What we intend to do is develop opportunities where there is none yet. Also, we will not be going into the gas to power business. This is already being done well in Batangas. Instead, PNOC will be doing small-scale bunkering to islands in Mindanao or the Visayas” says the PNOC CEO.

PNOC President Oliver Butalid emphasized that the main purpose of these TEE forums is for private players and the government to interact and work together for the better of the country “Only recently did I realize how exciting BARMM is. What seems to be the last frontier of our country, there is only one way to go, and that is up. Given the right programs, BARMM will easily be a model of planned economic growth.”