Domestic production of natural gas is expected to drop 7 percent this year to 141,255 million standard cubic feet from 151,949 mmscf in 2018 because of the five-day maintenance schedule of the Malampaya platform in October.
A report from Department of Energy showed that the maintenance schedule would affect the operation of all natural gas power plants and the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.’s 110,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Batangas.
“Maintenance activity for all natural gas fired power plants including the refinery are expected to be implemented during 2019. This will also impact on the nomination on the volume of natural gas from the Malampaya gas field,” the report said.
Demand for natural gas for 2019 is seen to reach 135,771 mmscf against the 2018 level of 146,344 mmscf or a drop of 7.8 percent.