SOME exploration companies are expected to shelve their plans to explore petroleum resources in the Philippines for about a year as the world continues to grapple with the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, according to the Department of Energy (DoE).

“Oil and gas [exploration], not only in the Philippines, but globally, will be affected. Everybody is watching. Some people are already deferring for a year their plans of expansion and operations,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a virtual presser.