Philippines makes first significant gas discovery in over a decade

Philippines

PALAWAN, January 19, 2026 – The Philippines has made its first significant gas discovery in over a decade, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday.

The new reservoir lies offshore, 5 kilometres east of the existing Malampaya site and contains an estimated 2.78 bcm (98 bcf) of gas in place, along with condensate. Initial tests show a flow rate of 1.7 mcm (60 mcf) per day, confirming high productivity. The discovery is part of the Malampaya Phase 4 Drilling Campaign, led by the SC 38 Consortium of Prime Energy Resources Development, UC38, PNOC Exploration Corporation and Prime Oil and Gas.

The original gasfield was commissioned in 2001 and remains the Philippines’ largest domestic gas source, fuelling around 2.7 GW of power generation. With declining output in recent years, the country has prioritised exploration and commissioned its first LNG terminal in 2023 to reinforce long-term energy security.

Prime Energy Resources Development is a Philippine upstream company operating under Service Contract 38, where it leads offshore exploration and production efforts. The company plays a key role in securing indigenous energy supply and supporting the Philippines’ shift away from fuel imports.