Reason for delayed LNG project sought

By Jordeene B. Lagare – July 03, 2019
from The Manila Times

The Department of Energy (DoE) said it would wait for answers as to why Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc., the joint venture of Phoenix
Petroleum Philippines Inc. and CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd. (CNOOC G&P) needs more time to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the country.

“What I heard is they will ask for an extension,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said on Monday. “I still have to receive [their application].”

The notice to proceed (NTP) issued by the Department of Energy (DoE) to Tanglawan in December last year has already expired last month.

When asked if the firm would face sanctions for failure to jump-start the LNG terminal within six months from the issuance of the NTP, Cusi said the agency “will wait for their justification [as to why] they did not make it. We still have to hear that.”

While the Energy chief implied that Tanglawan’s NTP might be canceled for failing to meet the deadline, the DoE has to check the reasons for the delay and if it encountered hurdles in meeting their timeline.

The issuance of NTP is governed by Department Circular DC2017-11-0012, also known as the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation (PDNGR).