New gas field found east of Malampaya

It contains 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas – Marcos

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS and GABRIELL CHRISTEL GALANG

MAJOR DISCOVERY – The Philippines strikes natural gas at Malampaya East-1, which is located five kilometers east of the existing Malampaya field off Palawan. The well has an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of gas, which would be enough to generate 14 billion kilowatt-hours annually. (Screengrab from Bongbong Marcos FB)

A new natural gas reservoir containing approximately 98 billion cubic feet, which is equivalent to nearly 14 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in a year, has been discovered east of the Malampaya field, marking the country's first significant gas find in more than 10 years and strengthening domestic energy security, President Marcos announced on Monday, Jan. 19.

In a video report posted on his social media accounts, Marcos said the reservoir, known as Malampaya East 1 (MAE-1), is located about five kilometers east of the existing Malampaya gas field.

“The Philippines has struck natural gas at Malampaya East-1, our first major discovery in more than a decade, giving fresh momentum to our efforts to secure a stable and reliable energy supply for the country,” he wrote on Facebook. “This means it can supply electricity to more than 5.7 million households, 9,500 buildings, or nearly 200,000 schools for one year,” he said in the video.

Dependable power source