MANILA, Philippines — In a significant development for national energy security, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has confirmed the discovery of a substantial new natural gas reservoir adjacent to the existing Malampaya field in the West Philippine Sea. The find promises to mitigate potential power shortages while reinforcing domestic energy independence.
The newly identified deposit, designated Malampaya East 1, is situated approximately 5 kilometers east of the primary production site northwest of Palawan province. Initial assessments indicate the reservoir contains an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of natural gas, with preliminary testing demonstrating a potential daily extraction capacity of 60 million cubic feet.
President Marcos characterized the discovery as crucial for extending Malampaya’s operational lifespan and ensuring stable electricity generation for Luzon, the nation’s most populous region. The field’s output could potentially power over 5.7 million households annually while yielding valuable condensate fuels.
This discovery arrives as the original Malampaya field, operational since 2001 and responsible for generating more than 20% of Luzon’s electricity, faces projected production declines. Last year, Marcos extended exploration rights at Malampaya for an additional 15 years to prevent energy shortfalls.
The geological find occurs within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, where the nation maintains sovereign resource rights under international law. However, the discovery highlights ongoing regional complexities, as similar exploration attempts at Reed Bank—another prospective area within the West Philippine Sea—remain stalled due to territorial disputes with China.
Beijing’s expansive claims over the South China Sea have previously complicated energy exploration efforts by multiple nations, including Vietnam and Malaysia. While the Malampaya East 1 site falls unequivocally within Philippine jurisdiction, its discovery underscores the strategic importance of domestic energy resources amid geopolitical tensions in the contested waterways.