Australian-based VGS & Associates Pty. Ltd is set to provide technical support and expertise as the Malampaya gas field project continues operations with new facility operator Prime Exploration Pte. Ltd. 

In a report by the Manila Bulletin, Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. (PNOC-EC) board director Edgar C. Cutiongco said that the Australian firm will be assisting Prime exploration general manager Sebastian Quiñones Jr. in sustained production of the Malampaya, which includes the exploration and drilling of the near prospects as soon as the government approves the license extension. 

Cutiongco said that VGS would complement the existing technical team of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V (SPEX), which was recently acquired by Prime Exploration. 

Under the proposed 15-year license extension proposal, Cutiongco said that they are looking to secure the extension before Malampaya’s Service Contract (SC) 38 on February 2023 with the intent to “arrest production decline.” 

The PNOC-EC official added that the top priority for the Malampaya Consortium is to pursue near-field exploration activities, including the drilling of new wells. 

Prime Exploration’s Enrique Razon said that the company will exert all efforts to “produce as much gas as possible to sustain production in support of the power demand in Luzon.”