The Philippines’ Department of Energy has awarded UK-based geophysical company Metatek the first contract under a national programme designed to improve subsurface knowledge and reduce exploration risk.
The one-year contract covers the acquisition, processing and interpretation of airborne gradiometry data across approximately 40,000 km² of the Agusan-Davao Basin and Davao Gulf in Mindanao.
The survey will support the evaluation of potential oil, natural gas, native hydrogen and geothermal resources. It represents the first phase of the Philippine Gradiometry and Seismic Survey Project, a four-year national geoscience initiative running from 2026 to 2029.
The wider airborne programme is expected to cover approximately 120,000 km² of underexplored sedimentary basins over two years. A subsequent phase will involve the acquisition, processing and interpretation of 2D seismic data.
The Department of Energy said the programme would generate modern geophysical datasets to improve regional geological understanding, reduce subsurface uncertainty and support evidence-based exploration decisions.
‘Energy security begins with knowing what we have,’ said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. ‘Through this project, we are replacing guesswork with scientific data so we can responsibly develop our own energy resources and strengthen the country’s long-term energy future.’
The resulting data could help the government and industry identify prospective areas more effectively while strengthening investor confidence in the Philippine upstream and geothermal sectors. The information may also support mineral exploration, environmental planning, disaster-risk reduction and wider scientific research.
Metatek provides airborne geophysical services for hydrocarbon, geothermal, hydrogen, helium and mineral exploration. The contract marks the formal start of the first year and first phase of the national survey programme.
Image: courtesy of Metatek
