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MEDIA RELEASE
04 August 2026
DOE Launches National Geophysical Survey to Strengthen Energy Security and Unlock Indigenous Energy Resources
The Department of Energy (DOE) today formally awarded the contract for Year 1 – Phase 1 of the Philippine Gradiometry and Seismic Survey Project (PGSSP) to Metatek, marking the official start of the government's flagship airborne geophysical survey program that will generate modern subsurface data to strengthen energy security, reduce exploration risks, and unlock the country's indigenous energy potential.
The PGSSP is a four-year national geoscience initiative of the DOE covering Fiscal Years 2026 to 2029 that will provide the Philippines with high-quality geophysical datasets across underexplored sedimentary basins. By improving the country's understanding of its subsurface geology, the project will support evidence-based exploration for oil, natural gas, native hydrogen, and geothermal resources while creating a stronger scientific foundation for long-term energy planning and investment.
The contract awarded covers Year 1 of Phase 1, specifically the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of airborne gradiometry data over approximately 40,000 square kilometers of the Agusan-Davao Basin and Davao Gulf. This represents the first stage of the project's two-year airborne survey program, which will ultimately cover about 120,000 square kilometers before progressing to the acquisition, processing, and interpretation of 2D seismic data during Phase 2.
"Energy security begins with knowing what we have. Through this project, we are replacing guesswork with scientific data so we can responsibly develop our own energy resources and strengthen the country's longterm energy future," Secretary Garin said.
She added that building a stronger indigenous energy base will help reduce dependence on imported fuels, improve the country's resilience to global energy price shocks, and lay the foundation for a more secure, reliable, and affordable energy supply for Filipino households and businesses. The geophysical information generated under the project will also support disaster risk reduction, environmental planning, mineral exploration, and scientific research, creating a valuable national resource for future generations.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales highlighted the importance of collaboration among government, industry, and technical experts in advancing the country's energy development agenda. He said the project embodies the shared commitment of all stakeholders to innovation, scientific rigor, and responsible resource development, laying the foundation for knowledge that will guide the Philippines for generations.
The PGSSP is expected to significantly reduce geological uncertainty across underexplored sedimentary basins, enabling government and industry to make more informed exploration decisions while strengthening investor confidence in the country's upstream energy sector. By generating modern geophysical information through advanced airborne and seismic technologies, the project supports the government's broader objective of responsibly developing indigenous energy resources, enhancing long-term energy security, and reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Metatek is a global geophysical services company providing high-definition mapping of sub surfaces strategic and critical mineral natural resources; energy, including hydrocarbons; helium and hydrogen; for exploration and development. ###