San Antonio Gas Field

San Antonio marginal gas field in Echague, Isabela, operated by Philippine National Oil Company Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC), was the first natural gas discovery in the country and was developed as a demonstration project to enhance the country’s experience on natural gas production. With estimated reserves of 2.7 billion cubic feet (BCF) that should last for 10-15 years to supply gas to a 3-MW natural gas-fired power plant at a production rate of 1 mmscf per day. The power plant was utilized principally for rural electrification.

Also, within the premises of the San Antonio Gas and Power Plant (SAGPP), a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) pumping station was subsequently put up as part of the government’s earlier program on Natural Gas in Transport wherein it demonstrates the techno-economic viability of converting diesel-run vehicles to natural gas. San Antonio gas was also used in the initial testing of CNG in tricycles in 2008. However, due to depleting pressure in the reservoir, the SAGPP was finally decommissioned in July 2008.   Over the 14 years of its project life, the SAGPP provided electricity to more than 10,000 households in Isabela. Since its commissioning in 1994 up to the shutdown date, the plant has generated a total of 187.48 GWH of electricity and produced a total of 3.54 billion cubic feet (BCF) of natural gas.