Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC)
PNOC is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) created on 9 November 1973 in response to the global oil crisis. Its original mandate was to ensure an adequate supply of oil and oil products. Over time, its charter expanded to include exploration, exploitation, and development of all energy resources, and acquisition of refineries and petroleum marketing firms — including Esso Philippines (renamed Petrophil Corp. in 1973) and Petron (partially privatized with Saudi Aramco in 1994; San Miguel Corporation took full control in 2009) [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, Section D, p.41, 2023].
PNOC created 24 subsidiaries, most of which were subsequently privatized or abolished. Its reorganization into an operating company (holding company with subsidiaries) was authorized by the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) in September 2014. Current active subsidiaries: PNOC-EC (exploration) and PNOC-RC (renewables).
Net income 2022: PhP 3.36 billion (includes PhP 5.24 million from property sales in Batangas, Laguna, Tarlac, Bulacan, and Bataan) [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.41, 2023].
Current Assets and Operations
- Energy Supply Base (ESB): 19.2-hectare port in Mabini, Batangas
- Industrial Park: 530-hectare complex in Limay and Mariveles, Bataan
- Banked Gas: Delivered 11.084 petajoules (PJ) to FirstGen (First NatGas Power + Prime Meridian PowerGen) under a GSPA signed December 2021; additional GSPA with South Premiere Power signed June 2022
- 10% stake in SC38 (Malampaya) via PNOC-EC generates revenue from the PNOC group
Priority Programs
OSW Power Integration Port (Repurpose of ESB, Mabini)
The ESB in Mabini, Batangas will be repurposed into an Offshore Wind Power Integration Port to support the government’s OSW development push. The port aims to serve 32 OSW energy service contracts with a combined potential capacity of 27.45 GW [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.42, 2023].
Aquavoltaics (Conceptual)
PNOC is exploring aquavoltaic systems — solar panels on stilts above fishponds, covering 40–60% of the water surface at 3 meters above water level. Claimed capacity: 40 MW per 100 hectares. Reduces evaporation by 85%; does not interfere with fish farming. Still in conceptual stage [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.42, 2023].
Bataan Industrial Park — LNG Hub
The Bataan Industrial Park in Limay/Mariveles is being promoted as a strategic location for LNG and LNG-related businesses, with new partnerships being developed for the natural gas industry [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.42, 2023].
Government RE Retail Supply and Solar Rooftop
PNOC plans to serve as a retail energy supplier for government entities, giving them the option to source electricity from RE at lower generation costs. Also plans to install rooftop solar PV in government buildings through private sector partnerships [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.42, 2023].
PNOC-EC (Exploration Corporation)
Established: 1976. Mandate: exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and coal for domestic supply.
As of November 2023, PNOC-EC holds interests in 9 Petroleum Service Contracts (PSCs) and 2 Coal Operating Contracts (COCs):
| Contract | Location | PNOC-EC Interest |
|---|---|---|
| SC 37 | Cagayan Basin | 100% (operator) |
| SC 57 | Offshore NW Palawan (Calamian) | 100% (operator) |
| SC 59 | SW Palawan (West Balabac) | 100% (operator) |
| SC 79 | East Palawan (Araceli) | 100% (operator) |
| SC 38 | Offshore NW Palawan (Malampaya) | 10% |
| SC 58 | Offshore NW Palawan (West Calamian) | 50% |
| SC 74 | Offshore NW Palawan (Linapacan) | 5% |
| SC 75 | NW Palawan | 35% |
| SC 6B | NW Palawan (Cadlao) | 20% |
| COC 41 | Zamboanga Sibugay | 100% (operator) |
| COC 204 | Malangas | 100% (operator) |
[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, Table 8, p.42, 2023]
Malampaya (SC 38) revenues: PhP 4.56 billion (2022), PhP 3.71 billion (2023). Primary revenue asset [PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.42, 2023].
Near-term program:
- SC 38 Malampaya: exploration drilling 2025 → production 2026
- SC 6B Cadlao: oil production 2024, additional drilling 2025
- SC 37 Cagayan: Chico-1 prospect drilling 2024
- SC 57 Calamian: seismic program 2024
- COC 41 Mine 3: production 2024; Mine 4: production 2025
- Asset acquisition: continuous evaluation of domestic and overseas areas (farm-in strategy)
[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, p.43, 2023]
PNOC-RC (Renewables Corporation)
Established: 2008. Mandate: research, development, and commercialization of RE and energy efficiency technologies. Accredited ESCO (Energy Service Company) by DOE.
Notable past projects:
- UP Diliman solar rooftop: 240 kWp (2015)
- Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) solar rooftop: 1,050 kWp
- House of Representatives solar rooftop: 200 kWp (436 solar PV modules, South Wing Annex)
- Pampanga River Irrigation System (PRIS): 6 hydropower sites, 1 MW potential, 4.64 GWh annual generation (MOA with NIA, 2012)
- Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) LED lighting: 3,725 bulbs replaced (50% consumption reduction, MOA March 2016 — five-year collaboration)
[PEP 2023-2050 Vol. III, pp.43–45, 2023]
Priority programs:
- Solar rooftop intensification in government agencies (technical consultancy + private sector partnership)
- Technical services for large-scale RE projects (securing Service Contract, permits, pre-feasibility/feasibility studies, interconnection, PSA, project funding)
- Joint Venture development of big-ticket RE projects
- Hydropower and waste-to-energy project development