Nor-Asian is nearing completion of a deal with the Philippines department of energy governing the rights to begin drilling off the country's coast.

Speaking to BusinessMirror, energy department director Vicente Labios said that draft memorandums have now been sent to relevant governments in Argao and Sibonga, in the south-east of Cebu.

"The agreement will govern our activities and procedures as well as processing of claims of fishermen who have their livelihood disrupted," he said.

Mr Labios added that the company had already identified a number of sites to begin upstream operations approximately seven kilometres offshore.

Nor-Asian, which is jointly owned by Ottoman Energy and Australasian Energy, is committed to a robust information, education and communication (IEC) programme to ameliorate any negative impact of upstream oil operations in the country.

The company is currently working with the energy department and key community groups to address societal implications of exploration, in addition to extending oil education courses to local workers.

5th Global Education and Training event for Oil and Gas: Exploration and Production