The government is weighing a pivot toward discounted crude from Russia and the United States (US) to stabilize the country’s energy security, though the Department of Energy (DOE) warns that logistical hurdles may prevent the shipments from arriving before domestic stockpiles hit critical levels.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in an interview with ANC on Wednesday, March 18, that while the government is aggressively exploring alternative sources to replenish the nation’s dwindling fuel reserves, the window for action is narrowing.

Garin noted that current local oil inventories have fallen below the 40-day mark, and while they remain above the mandated 15-day minimum buffer, the trajectory suggests a potential supply crunch by late April.

The DOE has identified the Russian Urals as main candidate for diversification, given its competitive pricing relative to global benchmarks. However, the geographic distance and complex shipping routes present a major bottleneck.

Garin noted that the procurement strategy is currently a race against time rather than a simple search for the lowest price point.

The energy chief noted that while regional Asian suppliers can typically deliver cargo within a week, the lead time for Russian shipments is significantly longer. This logistical delay is the primary concern for the DOE as it manages a supply chain already pressured by heightening Middle Eastern rifts.

Garin added that while the US offers another alternative, those shipments also face the dual challenges of higher costs and extended transit times due to the distance across the Pacific.

The urgency comes as the International Energy Agency moves to release 400 million barrels of emergency oil reserves into global markets. That initiative is designed to mitigate supply risks stemming from the intensifying Middle Eastern conflict, which has kept prices elevated.

According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group, Brent crude was trading at approximately ₱5,745 per barrel ($102.70), while West Texas Intermediate stood at roughly ₱5,320 per barrel ($95.12).

The easing of international penalties on Russian crude has already reshaped regional flows, with China and India absorbing a significant portion of that nation's output.

In India, Russian Urals is currently approaching the ₱5,590 per barrel ($100) threshold.