Malampaya Phase 4 subsea pipe-laying progressing

Razon-led natural gas explorer Prime Energy on Tuesday said the subsea pipe-laying and offshore construction at the Malampaya Phase 4 project in offshore Palawan is progressing.

In a news release, Prime Energy said subsea pipe-laying activities came after the completion of the drilling campaign under the government’s extension of Service Contract No. 38 (SC 38) —which delivered two confirmed new gas resources to support the Philippines’ energy security.

To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed in January the successful drilling and testing of the Malampaya East-1 well, and in March, the Camago-3 well, both of which are expected to support sustained production from the Malampaya gas field.

With this, the company said the subsea pipeline works has made “substantial progress,” marking the first time since 2000 that offshore pipes are being installed in deep water in the country.

Prime Energy said offshore construction vessel “Audacia” has completed installation of the Malampaya East and Camago flow lines which will connect the newly drilled wells to the existing Malampaya production system.

The company added the “Fortitude” offshore construction vessel has installed key subsea infrastructure, including flowline end terminations (FLETs), foundations, protective mattresses, and other auxiliary equipment.

Moreover, it said that 30-meter piles were successfully driven into the seabed at approximately 1,100 meters water depth using advanced hydraulic hammering technology.

“Recent milestones from drilling to subsea installation reflect the steady advancement of Malampaya Phase 4 toward full system integration,” said Prime Energy.

“As offshore works progress, these developments ensure that newly discovered indigenous gas resources can be safely brought into the existing infrastructure, supporting the Philippines’ energy security,” the company said.

Prime Energy said the Malampaya Phase 4 project remains on track and on schedule to deliver first gas by the fourth quarter of the year.

“Once completed, the project is expected to extend the productive life of the Malampaya field by an estimated six years,” it said. —Ted Cordero/RF, GMA News