New Delhi, April 21 -- Reliance Industries Ltd and Essar Group have emerged as top bidders for the 16 coal-bed methane (CBM) blocks offered across two consecutive bidding rounds, according to a list of bidders released by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH). Oil India Ltd bid for three blocks, while ONGC stayed away. The government offered three areas for exploration and production of natural gas that is trapped within coal seams underground, in the Special CBM Bid Round 2025, and another 13 blocks in the 2026 bidding round. Bids for the two rounds closed on March 5. The gas produced, called CBM or coal seam gas, is used as a cleaner-burning fuel for power generation, heating, and industrial use. It can also be turned into CNG to ...