PNOC eyes deal with Indonesian coal firms

PNOC-Exploration Corp., the coal and oil exploration unit of state-owned Philippine National Oil Co., is gearing up for possible supply agreements with Indonesian-based coal firms, The Philippine Star reported Saturday.

Company officials said they have been exploring talks with a number of coal concessionaires in Kalimantan.

The possible supply contracts would allow the Philippines a steady supply of coal.

The Philippines is sourcing most of its coal requirements from China, Australia and Indonesia, currently one of the world?s biggest coal suppliers.

In 2007, PNOC-EC had talks with various Indonesian coal mines to conduct geologic surveys. It sent draft memorandum of agreements to PT Sumber Kurnia Buana for the conduct of due diligence in the offered coal mines.

PNOC-EC also completed the preliminary evaluation of coal mine concessions PT Berkat Banua Inti, PT Senajaya Energimas Mulia, PT Antang Gunung Meratus, PT Bangun Banua Persada and PT Satui Bara Tama.

The laboratory analyses of all Indonesian coal samples were conducted on the Malangas and Naga coal laboratories of PNOC-EC.(*)