EDC drilling first well at natural park buffer zone
Alexander Richter
25 Mar 2009
Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has started to drill the first well at the Buffer Zone of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.
Reported locally, Philippine’s “Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has started to drill the first well at the Buffer Zone of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.
Northern Negros Geothermal Production Field Resident Manager Gino Dela Cruz said that the drilling of the first well has already reached 358 meters out of the 2,700 meters. Two pads will be constructed at the buffer zone and each pad will compose five wells and the drilling period will take 90 days.
He said that they are expecting to put on line the geothermal steam from the buffer zone by 3rd quarter or mid next year.
The drilling operation is done on 24-hour basis.
Mr. Erwin Magallanes, EDC Environmental Management Supervisor, said that they are currently widening the pad M2 and they will have an all weather road going to the pads.
They expect the operation of the power plant at its full capacity of 30 megawatts, Magallanes said. He also assured that the power to be generated from the Northern Negros Geothermal Power Field will be supplied in the province based on the agreement signed by the company and the provincial government. The company will abide with the agreement, he said.
Moreover, there were 2,525 trees out of the 4,213 trees they were allowed to cut. Out of the 34 century old trees, only 12 trees were cut.
With the completion of the road network going to the pads, EDC has adopted a mitigating measure citing the cogon matting to avoid soil erosion.”
Source: The News Today
