Prime Energy assured preparatory measures are being undertaken for the two-week scheduled maintenance shutdown (SMS) of the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project on February 4 to 18.
The maintenance activity will ensure the equipment and assets within the facility operate safely, reliably, and efficiently to avert any untoward incidents that can affect the continuous supply of gas to the power plants, Prime Energy said.
“The scheduled maintenance shutdown is a preventive maintenance activity that is executed at regular intervals to ensure that the Malampaya project continues to produce safe and reliable energy to supply the grid and meet the power requirements of the country,” said Sebastian Quiniones, Prime Energy general manager, in a statement.
In preparation for the SMS, more than the usual number of activities is expected around the sites and host communities at barangays Tabangao, Ambulong, Libjo, San Isidro and Malitam in Batangas with more contractors and workforce in the area as well as more cargo movements at Batangas port.
Prime Energy said throughout the duration of the SMS, the supply of gas will temporarily stop, requiring the power plants that use Malampaya gas to switch to alternate sources of fuel.
During the period, flaring with loud noise at the onshore gas plant will be experienced by the fence-line communities which is necessary to depressurize the whole gas plant from hydrocarbons, the company said.
Prime Energy noted this year’s maintenance program is done in continuous coordination with the Department of Energy and has been communicated in advance to stakeholders.
Pending the completion of proposed liquefied natural gas terminals in the country, fuel of all local natural-gas fired power plants are sourced from the Malampaya gas field. -Jed Macapagal
