Department of Energy awaits BatMan proposal

The US$ 2.1 billion Batangas-Manila (BatMan) natural gas pipeline faces further delays, pushing completion back to 2016 as the Department of Energy (DOE) awaits proposals from the private sector.

DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho L Petila said the BatMan project may not be completed within the term of the Aquino administration. "Definitely, BatMan will not be completed under President Aquino's term."

According to recent reports, the technical study will take up to 15 months to complete. In addition, the construction of the pipeline will add a further 12 months onto the project's time frame. Once the technical and feasibility studies are completed, the government will bid off the project.

The Japan International Co-operation Agency is currently undertaking a study on the pipeline project. According to Petila, the DOE would be willing to stop the ongoing government studies to fast-track implementation once a private company comes up with a proposal. The government will then publicly invite other firms to beat this initial proposal. The Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPP) would entail strong private sector participation.

The BatMan project is aimed at developing the country's natural gas industry, reducing its dependence on oil. The project will make gas from Malampaya, the country's largest gas field, available to consumers in the industrial, commercial, transport and residential sectors of Manila.

Edited from various sources by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

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