Government and Santos Ltd Meet to Discuss the Future of Bayu-Undan and Opportunities in Carbon Capture and Storage
On June 10th, 2025, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, met with representatives of Santos Ltd, namely Vince Santostefano, Executive Vice President for Western Australia, Northern Australia and Timor-Leste; Alan Stuart-Grant, Executive Vice President for Midstream Processing and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS); Richard Hinkley, Vice President for Northern Australia and Timor-Leste Energy Solutions; and José Lobato, Country Director, to discuss the future of the Bayu-Undan field and emerging opportunities in the field of CCS.
During the meeting, the progress of ongoing studies into the feasibility of implementing carbon capture and storage solutions at the Bayu-Undan field was analyzed. Minister Francisco Monteiro welcomed the information presented and reiterated the government's openness to innovative solutions that make it possible to extend the use of existing infrastructures, in line with global energy transition objectives.
The parties discussed the possibility of reconciling the remaining extraction of natural gas with the conversion of the field for carbon capture and storage purposes, assessing possible synergies with other fields, such as Chuditch. The Minister stressed that any future development should consider parallel production and storage paths, as long as technical feasibility and compliance with the current regulatory framework are ensured.
The meeting also included a broader approach to the partnership between Timor-Leste and Santos Ltd, with emphasis on the development of local skills, remote operations and strengthening Timor-Leste's role in the management of its offshore resources. Minister Francisco Monteiro reaffirmed the Government's commitment to solutions that promote greater national participation and sustainable long-term benefits for the Timorese people.
