DOE: Drilling operations begin at Malampaya field

Drilling operations under the Malampaya Phase 4 project are now set in motion following the arrival of the drillship, which will tap new wells in a bid to deliver new gas supply next year.

- — Brix Lelis

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the seventh-generation Drillship Noble Viking arrived at the drill site offshore Palawan on June 19, signaling the start of the Malampaya drilling.

Under Phase 4, three new wells—Camago-3, Malampaya East-1 and Bagong Pag-asa-1—will be drilled to extend the life of the gas field, which supplies about 20 percent of Luzon's electricity needs.