Today, PGEI and Schlumberger entered into a joint venture agreement to conduct MagnetoTellurics (MT) geophysical surveys in prospective geothermal areas in the Philippines. SLB, as a world-leader in MT equipment and software processing techniques, including 3D inversions processing and interpretation, will also provide technology transfer to PGEI geophysicists and MT technicians on the latest MT field procedures and methods, data interpretation and analysis. PGEI on the other hand, with more 30 years’ experience in geothermal exploration, both local and international, will provide the manpower, including geophysicists and MT technicians and field crew in the conduct of all these surveys. PGEI will also be responsible with the final geophysical resource assessments of all the projects.

The kick-off area will be the Mt. Cagua-Baua Geothermal Project of Pan Pacific Power Philippines Corporation. Succeeding geothermal areas include the Batangas geothermal field of Maibarara Geothermal Incorporation and Cervantes Geothermal Project of Pan Pacific. The three exploration areas of Basic Energy Corporation in Bataan, Mankayan and Batangas are also under negotiation. Unexplored areas in Mindanao Island, including Mt. Parker and Aboitiz’ Mt. Sibulan-Kapatagan prospects are also being considered for MT coverage.

Eventually, with DOE’s 5-year program of a complete assessment of the remaining geothermal prospects in the Philippines, MT coverage are expected to be conducted in the most promising areas.

MT surveys are historically very expensive to consider. Hopefully, with this PGEI-SLB cooperation, a cheaper alternative is now available for a new phase and advancement of Philippine geothermal exploration.