New Gas Discovery Bolsters Philippine Energy Security Amid South China Sea Tensions

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the discovery of a new natural gas deposit near the South China Sea. This significant find near Palawan could supply power to over 5.7 million households annually, potentially mitigating an impending power crisis. The deposit is located near the Malampaya gas field.

In a significant development, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the discovery of a new natural gas deposit near the South China Sea, a move that promises to bolster the nation's energy security.

Located northwest of Palawan province, the undersea reservoir holds an estimated 98 billion cubic feet of gas. Early tests suggest that 60 million cubic feet of gas could be extracted daily, potentially powering over 5.7 million households annually, Marcos revealed.

This discovery comes at a crucial time as experts have warned that the existing Malampaya gas field could soon deplete, risking a power crisis in Luzon. The gas reservoir lies within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone, but tensions persist due to overlapping territorial claims in the region.