Shell considers BOT scheme for new oil depot

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., a unit of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, will consider the possibility of entering into a build-operate-transfer scheme for the relocation of the Pandacan oil depot, similar to what rival Petron Corp. is planning. Pilipinas Shell would shortly draw up a relocation plan although it has not identified a site yet. The Supreme Court gave oil companies, namely Shell, Petron and Chevron Philippines 90 days from Feb. 13, 2008 to submit their relocation plan. Petron earlier floated the idea of entering into a BOT scheme that would allow the company to relocate the Pandacan depot at no cost. “By ruling that Ordinance 8027 is valid, spot zoning or that which narrowly focuses on a particular property to the economic detriment of its landowner now becomes a legitimate exercise of police power by local government,” the three companies said. (May 13, 2008)