Timor-Leste makes an impact at leading Oil and Gas Conference
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Díli, March 16, 2015
Timor-Leste makes an impact at leading Oil and Gas Conference
Five hundred people from the Oil and Gas sector attended an event featuring Timor-Leste on Friday in Perth, Australia. The Special Interest Lunch Timor-Leste: A Country of Opportunity was a part of the Australian Oil and Gas Conference [AOG] attracting 17,000 attendees and featuring 620 exhibitors from 25 countries. This year Timor-Leste was an exhibitor at the Conference.
His Excellency Alfredo Pires, Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, led a delegation to speak at the event, interact with oil and gas experts and meet with senior political and industry figures to promote the interests of Timor-Leste. Members of the delegation included Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Abel Guterres, the President of the National Petroleum Authority Mr. Gualdino da Silva and President and CEO of TIMORGAP, Mr. Francisco da Costa Monteiro.
During the lunch event and the following media conference Minister Pires spoke directly about progress on the Greater Sunrise project and the issue of maritime boundaries. The Minister noted that he was disappointed by Woodside’s decision to pause their work on the project.
"Greater Sunrise is an excellent field”, he said. "We are ready to move. We have some issues we need to discuss but I don't see Greater Sunrise being left for many, many years."
Regarding the development option of a pipeline to the southern shores of Timor-Leste the Minister said “When we talk about Greater Sunrise we have figures and we have studies that defend the Timor-Leste option”.
He also noted that ultimate certainty for investment would be achievable with a delimitation of the maritime boundary between Australia and Timor-Leste.
Currently there is no maritime boundary between the two neighbors and Timor-Leste is seeking the settlement of the boundary in accordance with international law.
The visiting delegation and the Timor-Leste exhibition also were able to advise industry professionals of the upcoming acreage release in July/August in Timor-Leste’s offshore area. New survey data on the area using the latest imaging technologies is showing good prospects.
As a part of an intense schedule in Perth the Minister and delegation also met with the Premier of Western Australia, the Honourable Colin Barnett MLA and began discussions on an agreement to strengthen the relationship between Timor-Leste and the State of Western Australia.