The Department of Energy (DOE) officially marks a transformative milestone in the nation’s pursuit of energy independence with the discovery of a significant natural gas reservoir at Malampaya East 1 (MAE-1). Located approximately five kilometers east of the existing Malampaya field, the find is a powerful validation of the country’s science-based exploration strategy.
The MAE-1 reservoir is estimated to hold 98 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas in place. Initial testing has yielded a flow rate of 60 million cubic feet per day, accompanied by associated condensate.
“This milestone is a testament to the world-class capability of Filipino engineers in securing our country’s energy future,” said Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin. “Reliable power fuels our everyday life: the lights in our homes, the continuity of work and enterprise, and the stability our schools, hospitals, and communities depend on.”
The discovery represents a substantial boost to the national grid. The 98 BCF of natural gas is equivalent to approximately 13.9 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. To put this into perspective, this volume is sufficient to:
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Power 5.8 million households for an entire year.
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Support the annual electricity needs of nearly 198,500 public schools.
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Illuminate 2.78 million streetlights continuously for one year.
The DOE highlighted the achievement of the Service Contract 38 (SC 38) Consortium, led by Prime Energy Resources Development B.V., in partnership with UC38, PNOC Exploration Corporation, and Prime Oil and Gas Inc.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. emphasized that the drilling operations were led by Filipinos and completed without any accidents or environmental incidents. The DOE maintains that this level of operational excellence is a non-negotiable standard for all high-risk offshore activities.
MAE-1 is the first major success of the Malampaya Phase 4 Drilling Campaign, which also includes the Camago and Bagong Pag-asa wells. The DOE is now moving into the next phases of development, including:
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Technical Evaluation: Detailed analysis of reservoir characteristics.
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Development Planning: Integrating the new supply into the existing grid infrastructure.
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Regulatory Oversight: Ensuring all environmental safeguards and transparent processes are upheld.
“Natural gas is a critical bridge in our energy mix, supporting power reliability while we scale renewables and grid upgrades,” Secretary Garin added. “We will pursue this opportunity with discipline—maximizing value for Filipinos and ensuring every milestone strengthens our national interest.”
