The Philippines’ Department of Energy has handed out 15 blocks under its Fourth Philippines Energy Contracting Round in an attempt to spark fresh exploration investment, as it struggles to resolve a seemingly endless ongoing dispute over territory in the South China Sea with its regional rivals.

Disagreements over the Petroleum Industry Bill, including high tax rates, have hampered the industry’s efforts to move oil and gas projects forward.

State-run Coal India Ltd., the world’s largest coal producer, is turning its attention to extracting coalbed methane from its vast number of coal mines in India.