Photo credit: ACEN Renewables

Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) is preparing for an exploratory drilling program in 2026 to test an undrilled sector of its geothermal field in Batangas.

The venture, owned 65% by PetroGreen Energy Corp. of the Yuchengco Group, 25% ACEN Corp. of the Zobel family, and 10% by PNOC Renewables Corp., clarified that no final funding plan has been committed for the activity as of yet. The results of the drilling will determine whether the area holds commercially viable reserves that could support additional development.

The program is part of the company’s continuing resource assessment within its contract area, where it currently operates the 20-megawatt Maibarara-1 and 12-MW Maibarara Geothermal Power Project in Santo Tomas, Batangas.

Earlier this year, MGI secured ownership of its Maibarara property after submitting a PHP 473-million bid to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. The property covers about 58,911 square meters across Santo Tomas in Batangas and Calamba in Laguna.

MGI emphasized that while the exploration offers potential upside should viable reserves be confirmed, it will not have a material impact on PetroEnergy Resources Corp.’s current business and operations at this time.

How critical are exploratory programs like MGI’s in sustaining the country’s geothermal pipeline? Should industry and government be investing more aggressively in early-stage resource assessments? Share your views. 

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