Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (Pilipinas Shell) has expanded the reach of its products and services in Region 1 following a partnership with Northern Star Energy Corporation (Northern Star), allowing the transformation of the latter’s sites in the area into Shell-branded Mobility stations.,“This partnership will allow us to reach more customers and communities in La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Mountain Province, in line with our commitment to serving the growing and evolving energy needs of every motoring customer and pedestrians alike,” Pilipinas Shell Vice President for Mobility Randy del Valle said.,The partnership adds about 100 sites to Pilipinas Shell’s nationwide portfolio throughout the deal. These sites will support the increasing travel and economic activity in Baguio City, Sagada, Banaue, La Union, and Pagudpud in the region.,According to Pilipinas Shell, the growth of its Mobility business will be complemented by the Subic import terminal, with a 54 million liters storage capacity.,“This investment (accelerates) Pilipinas Shell’s growth ambition of 1,300 to 1,400 sites by 2025. (It) is expected to significantly increase both fuel and non-fuel revenues for Pilipinas Shell and provide more employment opportunities for the local communities in (the covered) areas,” del Valle said.,Meanwhile, Shell’s exploration arm, Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), announced last week that the transfer of its helicopter base from Puerto Princesa to the P45-million newly-inaugurated aircraft hangar of INAEC Aviation Corporation inside Lio Airport in El Nido nears completion.,SPEX said transferring the Malampaya helicopter base to the new 825-square-meter INAEC Hangar E2 will significantly cut the flight time of personnel to and from the offshore platform by over 70 percent.,The construction of INAEC Hangar E2 started in April 2021 and was completed in March of this year. SPEX said operations at the new facility will begin “soon.”,The strategic position of INAEC Hangar E2 in El Nido also provides easier access to search and rescue resources,  including support from the Joint Task Force Malampaya, a composite team of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard.,It will help improve the security of the Malampaya offshore crew, especially in cases of offshore emergencies with shorter response times.,The Malampaya facility is the country’s only natural gas field. It provides 30 percent of the energy requirements of Luzon. It is expected to be depleted within the next decade, and its Service Contract with the government will expire in 2024.,The project has so far generated significant revenues for the local government of about $12 billion or over P1 trillion.