The Philippines has announced the discovery of a new natural gas reservoir,Malampaya East-1,located near the existing Malampaya gas field.This marks the first such discovery in the country in over a decade and is expected to bolster domestic energy production and reduce reliance on coal.
According to a statement released by the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on January 15, 2024, the reservoir is estimated to contain approximately 2.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas. This volume is equivalent to roughly 14 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
initial flow tests from the well have yielded 1.7 million cubic meters of gas per day, suggesting meaningful production potential comparable to the original Malampaya wells. President Marcos stated the discovery will “strengthen our domestic gas supply for many years to come.”
The malampaya gas field currently supplies a substantial portion of the Philippines’ electricity needs. The depletion of this field has been a growing concern,prompting the search for new sources. This new discovery offers a potential extension to the lifespan of the Malampaya project and contributes to the nation’s energy security.
As of January 19, 2026, there have been no further official announcements regarding the progress or production timeline for the malampaya East-1 reservoir. The Department of Energy continues to assess the full extent of the resource and its integration into the national energy grid.
