The Philippine government said it was looking into conducting oil and gas exploration with Malaysia and Indonesia in the Sulawesi Sea but may have to settle a maritime boundary dispute first.

Initial talks had been held with the Indonesian government and details of the exploration were being fleshed out, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.
The Sulawesi Sea, between the southern Philippines and the Pacific Ocean, is still an area of dispute for the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, Lotilla said.
Indonesia had opened up the possibility of exploration in an area of overlapping claims, he said.
"The Indonesians raised the possibility of our study to move forward even before the maritime boundaries are ultimately settled," Lotilla said.
The Philippines has vast reserves of natural gas at its Malampaya field.