Thursday, June 07, 2007 Australian firm to survey seas off north Cebu
ASIDE from Tañon Strait, another area off Cebu is thought to be rich in oil and gas deposits.
An Australian firm, Nor Asean Energy Limited, already has a certificate of non-coverage from the regional offices of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and a service contract from the Department of Energy (DOE).
The papers will allow the firm to conduct a seismic survey in the waters between Bohol and Cebu.
But just like previous exploration works, the project stirred up a protest from marginal fishers of the affected towns of Argao, Dalaguete and Boljoon.
“It’s a matter of information campaign. We need to tell them that a survey will not in any way disturb the marine life,” said DOE 7 Director Antonio Labios.
An exploration vessel from Australia will arrive in Cebu next week to do the seismic survey.
Labios said the procedure is simple and non-destructive. The vessel will drop a cable some 60 meters deep and drag it within the specified project site to detect deposits of oil and gas underneath the seabed.
The survey will last two to three weeks. Any motor boat is not allowed to get within eight kilometers from the rear of the exploration vessel and 1.5 kilometers from its starboard side.
The prohibition is necessary so as not to disrupt the survey, said Labios.
At Tañon Strait, protests by marginal fishermen of Pinamungajan and Aloguinsan towns failed to stop the oil and gas exploration by the Japan Petroleum Exploration Company (Japex) that covers 1.5 kilometers of offshore land.
The firm obtained an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from EMB for the project, allowing it to start to conduct the drilling anytime.
Labios said that local officials of Argao, Dalaguete and Boljoon favored the project during a meeting between officials from DOE, the Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and representatives of the firm last month.
He identified Kristoffer Fellows, the firm’s chief executive officer, as the one who pushed for the approval of the service contract and the certificate of non-coverage.
After discussing the merits and implications of the project to the local officials, his office and BFAR are now planning to talk with the residents of the three towns, Labios said.
“We’re not drilling. It’s a survey, so nothing to worry about. An ECC will be issued only if there is indeed a deposit of gas and oil and after a public hearing is done where protesting local residents are given a chance to give their arguments,” he said. (AIV)
