ERWIN TULFO SEEKS UAE PARTNERSHIP FOR PH OIL HUB

ABU DHABI, UAE – In an effort to strengthen the country’s energy security, Senate Energy Committee chairman Senator Erwin Tulfo is seeking a partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to develop a strategic oil storage facility that could position the Philippines as a regional oil hub.

During bilateral discussions held on October 29,  the Philippine delegation led by Tulfo,  joined by Philippine Ambassador to UAE H.E. Alfonso Ver and Special Envoy to the UAE for Trade and Investment Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, indicated that government-to-government cooperation alongside engagement with private partners can turn the projected oil hub into a reality.

“We have been pushing for this strategic oil hub as we see how beneficial it will be for Filipinos who are currently experiencing price shocks brought by high oil prices, because we lack access to it,” Tulfo told the UAE delegation.

The UAE side led by ADNOC chairman Sultan Ahmed-Al Jaber, expressed willingness in the said partnership as it currently supplies Petron with approximately 40,000 barrels per day. According to them, the oil hub can boost the volume of supplies.

The UAE team likewise expressed readiness to advance discussions and proposed sharing an existing storage contract framework for Philippine review.

The discussions identified a rollout target of the second quarter of 2027, subject to further agreement on the site, infrastructure responsibilities, commercial terms and implementation schedule.

The proposed hub would anchor a broader energy partnership spanning crude supply, refinery investment, fuel retail networks, renewable energy and gas-to-power development.

The Energy Panel chairman noted that the potential pathway toward a broader Philippines-UAE energy partnership has yet to be finalized.

However, he vowed to shepherd subsequent meetings to seal the deal and achieve an energy-sufficient Philippines.