EXPLORATION

Gas2Grid extension application denied in Philippines

AUSTRALIAN Securities Exchange-listed Gas2Grid has been notified by the Philippine Department of Energy that its application to delay drilling the Nuevo Malolos-1 Deepening until late July has been knocked back, and subsequently the company will need to be begin by July 3.

Gas2Grid extension application denied in Philippines

 

The company was told by its contractors that activities would need to be delayed due to the election period as the local drilling crew and engineers refused to attend the site over safety concerns.

The conventional gas explorer applied to push back drilling of the well on safety grounds due to the Philippines federal and municipal elections - held last month - which have been known to generate election-related violence, it said.

This election saw 33 people die and 19 others wounded in election related events.

 "The company therefore has no choice but to defer commencing site work until the end of July, 2019 and formally request the Department of Energy grant deferral of the start date under Force Majeure, provided for under service contract 44," Gas2Grid said.

Gas2Grid said it would challenge the basis of the department's decision and also took issue with the timing of correspondence.

Gas2Gris has a 100% interest in the SC44 license and was granted an extension of tenure for two more years until September 2020 as the government seeks to fast track further oil and gas exploration. 

The company said in its recent half yearly report that it had already commenced preparation and received approvals for deepening, completing and testing for oil from the NM-1 well. 

The junior announced in April that it would move out of France in light of legal challenges and sovereign risk surrounding its St Griede permit in the Aquitaine Basin.

Gas2Grid had been embroiled in a fight with the French government over the permit for several years after the government decided not to renew the permit. 

Gas2Grid shares were worth 0.3 cents per share. It has a market cap of A$3.43 million.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the energy sector, brought to you by the Energy News Bulletin Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the energy sector, brought to you by the Energy News Bulletin Intelligence team.

editions

ENB Cost Report 2023

ENB’s latest Cost Report findings provide optimism as investments in oil and gas, as well as new energy rise.

editions

ENB Future of Energy Report 2023

ENB’s inaugural Future of Energy Report details the industry outlook on the medium-to-long-term future for the sector in the Asia Pacific region.

editions

ENB Cost Report 2021

This industry-wide report aims to understand current cost levels across the energy industry

editions

ENB Social Licence Report 2021

In its second year, this research now includes trends and new findings surrounding impacts and responses as the energy industry seeks to secure and maintain a social licence to operate.