The Department of Energy (DOE) has begun a seismic survey in Pangasinan to assess the country’s native hydrogen potential, marking a key step in efforts to develop a new indigenous low-carbon energy source that could support the country’s clean energy transition and strengthen long-term energy security.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin led the launch of the 132.6-line-kilometre two-dimensional (2D) seismic survey in Bugallon, Pangasinan on July 10.
The survey is being undertaken by Koloma Inc., operator of Service Contract (SC) No. 84, with the support of the provincial governments of Pangasinan and Zambales.
The seismic campaign will generate detailed images of underground rock formations to identify geological structures that may contain naturally occurring, or native, hydrogen.
The results will guide succeeding exploration activities and improve understanding of the area’s subsurface geology, the DOE said.
The survey follows an aerial gravity and magnetic (AGM) survey completed by Koloma from March to early June this year, covering 27,976.5 line kilometres across the contract area. Processing of the AGM data is ongoing.
Before the survey launch, Garin conducted an aerial inspection of the Los Fuegos Eternos natural gas seep area, where geological sampling carried out in May produced promising preliminary indications of hydrogen gas, according to the DOE.
The department said the initial findings warrant further studies and exploration.
Native hydrogen, also known as geologic or white hydrogen, occurs naturally beneath the Earth’s surface, unlike conventional hydrogen that is produced through industrial processes.
If commercially viable deposits are confirmed, the resource could provide the Philippines with an additional domestic source of clean energy while reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Interest in native hydrogen has accelerated globally in recent years as governments and energy companies explore new low-carbon energy sources.
Unlike green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable electricity through electrolysis, native hydrogen exists naturally underground and may offer a lower-cost alternative if recoverable in commercial quantities.
The DOE said the seismic survey forms part of its broader strategy to evaluate the country’s native hydrogen resources and diversify indigenous energy sources.
Koloma is also conducting exploration under the adjacent Service Contract No. 83, which covers portions of Zambales.
To support the emerging industry, the DOE has integrated native hydrogen into the country’s existing petroleum service contract system, establishing a regulatory framework intended to encourage private investment while maintaining government oversight.
Under the Philippine service contract regime, all technical, operational and financial risks associated with exploration are borne entirely by the contractor, meaning no direct government funds are used for native hydrogen exploration, development or production.
Garin thanked Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III, Bugallon Mayor William Dy and local government officials for supporting the project, saying close coordination with host communities is essential to the successful implementation of exploration activities.
The native hydrogen initiative adds to a series of measures by the DOE to broaden the country’s clean energy portfolio beyond solar, wind, hydro and geothermal.
In recent months, the agency has advanced policies promoting renewable energy deployment in off-grid areas, launched reforms to prioritize renewable energy-based distributed energy resources over diesel generation, strengthened accountability in the development of renewable energy projects, and expanded support for battery energy storage systems as part of efforts to improve grid reliability and accelerate the country’s energy transition.
The department has also continued to encourage investments in emerging energy technologies alongside conventional renewables as the Philippines works toward increasing the share of clean energy in its power generation mix while enhancing energy security through the development of indigenous resources.
If successful, the exploration programme could position the Philippines among a growing number of countries evaluating naturally occurring hydrogen as part of their long-term energy transition strategies.
