Phoenix Petroleum hopes source of leak in Makati gas station to be found Saturday

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. is hoping that the source of leak at its gas station in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City will be located on Saturday after several pressure tests have been conducted by authorities and the company.

According to a report by Victoria Tulad on GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Saturday, pressure tests such as hydrotesting and gravity testing were being conducted to locate the source of leak at Phoenix's gas station at the intersection of Evangelista and Estrella Streets.

The third party contractor of Phoenix Petroluem has begun their hydrotest to determine the source of the gas leak at Brgy. Bangkal, Makati. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/CnrS80PHLr

— Victoria Tulad (@victoriatulad) November 3, 2018

In a hydrotest, the tanks and pipes will be filled with water. This will be weighed and re-weighed after several hours. A reduction in the water level means there is a leak.

A gravity test employs the same method but instead of water, pressurized air is used to locate any leaks.

“‘Pag may pressure test ka, you will mandate for example a 5 psi test,” says Zorilla. “‘Pag hindi ma-reach ‘yun or bumababa ‘yung pressure, it means may nilalabasan na iba ‘yung hangin,” Phoenix Petroleum external affairs vice president Raymond Zorilla said.

"All data coming from the pressure tests will be sent to Australia and the official report will be sent to us tomorrow, the earliest after lunch," Zorilla said in a separate text message to GMA News Online.

On Thursday, firefighters were put on standby at Phoenix's Bangkal gas station for any eventuality because of the gas leak.

Apart from pressure test, authorities particularly the Bureau of Fire Protection are conducting gas monitoring in canals every hour to determine if there is a high level of explosive gases.

To help ease the amount of gas in canals, the BFP is conducting water flushing.

For the safety of those living within the vicinity of the gas station, several roads in Barangay Bangkal are closed for motorists.

Residents were warned against using cigarettes, matches and lighters. LPG tanks were also prohibited which is why resident Nona Celeste settled for buying fast food.

Like other residents, Celeste worries about the possibility of explosions even if the local government has assured that everything is under control.

“Ang tulog namin mababaw,” recounted Celeste. “Eh kung anumang mangyari, mahirap.”

Another resident, Ester Orella, said, “Sabi nandyan na sa mga kanal ‘yun. Eh mamaya natapunan ng sigarilyo ‘yun, sumabog kami dito. Siyempre natatakot din kami. ‘Pag nakakita kami ng naninigarilyo sinasaway namin.”

Authorities are also monitoring the situation on Lucban Street in Barangay Bangkal where residents reportedly smelled gas.

“Meron din daw naaamoy doon pero ipinagbilin ko na rin naman sa BFP to monitor,” said Makati City Vice Mayor Lagdameo. “Kailangan din tingnan kung ano ‘yun. Baka may dumadaloy doon o baka may deposits doon.”

She said it is still premature to predict when the source of leak can be located since the results of the tests conducted by Phoenix and a third party contractor will still be compared.

Lagdameo said they will compare data from the third party contractor, Phoenix Petroleum and the City Hall.

“I-evaluate ng BFP, at ng Phoenix Group at kami sa City, titingnan namin kung ano yung mga resulta,” says Lagdameo. “Pagbabanggain lang namin to finally find out alin kung sa mga tangke nila at alin sa mga produkto nila ang posibleng nag-leak.”

Lagdameo said it is possible that the source of leak will be found by Sunday or next week. —Ted Cordero and Victoria Camille Tulad/KG, GMA News