Koloma Inc. has started a 2D seismic survey in Pangasinan as part of efforts to identify possible native hydrogen-bearing formations in the area, the Department of Energy (DOE) said.

Koloma, the operator of Service Contract (SC) No. 84, will conduct the survey to map subsurface geological structures and determine areas that may contain naturally occurring hydrogen.

The survey will cover 132.6-line kilometers and generate detailed images of underground rock formations, which will guide the next stages of exploration.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin led the commencement activity in Bugallon, Pangasinan on July 10, with the support of the provincial governments of Pangasinan and Zambales.

Before the event, Garin conducted an aerial inspection of the Los Fuegos Eternos natural gas seep area, where geological sampling was conducted in May to verify the presence of hydrogen gas.

The DOE said initial results from the sampling showed promising findings that warrant further studies and exploration.

Koloma earlier acquired 27,976.5-line kilometers of aero-gravity and magnetics survey from March to early June to map geological structures in the area.

While processing of the acquired data is still ongoing, the company has proceeded with preparations and mobilization for the 2D seismic survey.

During the DOE’s July 13 virtual press briefing, Undersecretary Sandy Sales said the seismic survey will provide a clearer picture of the subsurface geology.

“The land seismic data is going to be giving a better picture since this geophysical technique is what is used in imaging the subsurface,” Sales said.

The seismic work involves a vibroseis truck, which Garin said was brought in from Australia and is the first of its kind to be used in the Philippines.

She said the truck will stop at intervals and create light ground vibrations for imaging, with receivers picking up returning signals to help build an underground map.

“Essentially, it’s like it’s creating a small earthquake, just a small one. Then that signal has receivers that will pick up the signals that are coming back from the bottom of the earth,” Garin explained.

Native hydrogen refers to hydrogen that occurs naturally beneath the Earth’s surface, unlike conventional hydrogen that is produced through industrial processes.

If commercially viable resources are confirmed, the DOE said native hydrogen could provide an additional indigenous energy source that supports the country’s clean energy transition and strengthens long-term energy security.

Sales said Koloma’s next commitment after seismic work is to drill a well, which could happen by the end of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027, depending on the progress of exploration activities.

However, he stressed that the project remains in the exploration stage, and that the key question is whether the resource is large enough to be commercially developed.

“At the end of the day, this is an exploration. We don’t know if we will have a big enough deposit that can be commercial,” Sales said.

Garin said the survey will help determine whether the potential hydrogen resource has sufficient volume, where it is located, and how deep it is.

Koloma is also undertaking exploration under the adjacent Service Contract No. 83, which covers portions of Zambales.

The DOE said the seismic survey forms part of the government’s broader initiative to evaluate the country’s native hydrogen potential and diversify indigenous energy resources.

The agency has integrated native hydrogen into the country’s petroleum service contract system to provide a regulatory framework for private sector investment while maintaining government oversight.

Under the service contract system, all technical, operational, and financial risks associated with exploration are borne by the contractor. The DOE said no direct government funds are used for the exploration, development, or production of native hydrogen resources.

Can native hydrogen become a viable new indigenous energy resource for the Philippines?

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