Matahio Energy Awarded Service Contract for Natural Hydrogen Exploration in Leyte, Philippines

Matahio Energy, in partnership with Ophiolite Energy, has been awarded Service Contract 90 (SC 90) for the exploration of natural hydrogen in onshore Leyte, Philippines. 

The contract area is located within ophiolite rock formations, representing uplifted sections of oceanic crust that are recognized as favorable environments for natural hydrogen generation through serpentinization processes. These geological systems are globally associated with hydrogen occurrences due to the interaction of water with ultramafic rocks under suitable temperature and pressure conditions. 

SC 90 provides access to a structurally prospective geological setting where mafic and ultramafic lithologies may support hydrogen generation and migration. The presence of ophiolitic sequences positions Leyte as a technically relevant target within the emerging global natural hydrogen exploration landscape. 

The award also reflects the Philippines’ early-stage regulatory framework supporting hydrogen exploration. The establishment of a fiscal regime for hydrogen, combined with coordination from the Department of Energy, provides a defined pathway for advancing exploration activities within a structured permitting environment. 

For Matahio, the project represents a strategic extension of its existing oil and gas capabilities. The exploration approach leverages established subsurface expertise, including structural interpretation, reservoir evaluation, and drilling execution, to assess hydrogen potential within a new energy context. 

The partnership with Ophiolite Energy introduces additional technical collaboration focused on hydrogen systems associated with ultramafic geology. The program is expected to follow a phased approach, progressing from geological assessment and data integration toward field validation and potential subsurface testing. 

Full press release can be found here [EXTERNAL].