Noble drillship arrives in Philippines for three-well campaign at Malampaya gas field

The Noble Corporation drillship Noble Viking arrived in Palawan province in the western Philippines late last week to commence a drilling campaign at the country's Malampaya gas field, the Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) has confirmed.

Noble Viking's scope will encompass phase four of an ongoing campaign that seeks to extend the life of the field, which supplies around 20 per cent of the electricity needs of Luzon island, according to the DOE.

The vessel will focus on the Camago-3, Malampaya East-1 and Bagong Pag-asa-1 wells. Prime Energy Resources Development, which owns the 45 per cent operating interest in the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project, is the lead contractor.

DOE Officer-in-Charge Sharon Garin told local media that the development would strengthen the Philippines' energy security and help reduce the country's dependence on imported fuel.

Prime Energy said the Malampaya field has been in operation since 2001, producing natural gas that supplies four power plants in Luzon with a combined capacity of 3,200 MW.