Philippines Discovers Significant Natural Gas Reserve at Malampaya East-1

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

In a significant development for energy security, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed on Monday the discovery of natural gas at Malampaya East-1 (MAE-1), situated roughly 6 kilometres east of the current Malampaya gas field off Palawan's coast.

Local media sources indicate that this marks the Philippines' first major natural gas find in over a decade.

The newly discovered well is projected to contain about 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas, capable of generating up to 14 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This volume could power approximately 5.7 million households or 200,000 educational institutions each year.

This discovery forms part of an $893 million drilling initiative spearheaded by Prime Energy, a company owned by Filipino entrepreneur Enrique Razon. Initial assessments at the site have reported gas output of around 60 million cubic feet per day, suggesting a promising production capacity.

MAE-1 is anticipated to prolong the operational lifespan of the Malampaya gas field, which currently meets 35 to 40 percent of Luzon's electricity requirements. This new find will also aid the country in lessening its reliance on imported coal, fostering a cleaner and more dependable energy landscape.

The drilling location sits in the West Philippine Sea, a region pivotal for the nation’s energy development strategies.