Following the commercial discovery of the Greater Sunrise gas and condensate field in 1974, and more than twenty (20) years discussing the Greater Sunrise gas and condensate field located in the joint area between RDTL and Australia, there was no certainty with regards to development concept options to develop the Greater Sunrise field. This is due to the different views of the government of the Republic Democratic of Timor-Leste (RDTL) and Australia, as well as of the Operator Woodside and TIMOR GAP on the development concept and the pipeline route to deliver the gas from the Sunrise fields.

Today, 6th of February 2023, TIMOR GAP, E.P. hereby announces that the VIII Constitutional Government of RDTL, led by H.E. the Prime Minister General Taur Matan Ruak, through TIMOR GAP’s Greater Sunrise Negotiation Team have managed to overcome these challenges and obstacles faced during the negotiation process with the Sunrise Joint Venture (SJV) partners, which consist of TIMOR GAP, Woodside and Osaka Gas, as the SJV agreed to select a reputable third-party consultant, specialized in this field, to conduct the concept select study. The results of the study will provide a credible source of information to SJV to select the development concept of the Greater Sunrise gas and condensate field, with a strong focus on bringing the gas pipeline to RDTL and developing the LNG Plant in RDTL. It is expected that the study will be completed within maximum 6 months.

This is a significant step for the people and State of RDTL.

Victory to the heroes and martyrs of our homeland of RDTL!!

Victory to the people and State of RDTL now and in the future!!

The victory is certain, it is only a matter of time!!

…

Joint Media Release

Dili, 06 February 2023

Sunrise Joint Venture to Undertake Concept Select with a Strong Focus on Delivery of Gas to Timor-Leste

 The Sunrise Joint Venture (SJV), comprising TIMOR GAP (56.56%), Operator Woodside Energy (33.44%), and Osaka Gas Australia (10.00%), hereby jointly affirms its commitment to undertake a concept select program for the development of the Greater Sunrise fields. 

The SJV will consider all of the key issues for delivering the gas, for processing and LNG sales, to Timor-Leste compared to delivering the gas to Australia. 

The studies will incorporate and update previous work by utilising the latest technologies and cost estimates while also considering the socio-economic, capacity building, safety, environmental, strategic and security benefits of the various options. The studies will include evaluation of which option provides the most meaningful benefit for the people of Timor-Leste. The SJV is aiming to complete the concept select program expeditiously given the benefits that could flow from developing the Sunrise fields. 

TIMOR GAP President and CEO Antonio de Sousa said he was pleased that TIMOR GAP’s efforts have substantially contributed towards realising the long-awaited goal of developing Greater Sunrise. 

“This path forward is a significant commitment to our stakeholders, to the aspirations of those who made sacrifices to achieve independence for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and to the future of our people and Timor-Leste. It offers a clearer path to prosperity, equality, peace, stability, and sustainability for current and future generations,” he said. 

Woodside Energy CEO Meg O’Neill said the development of new technologies and growing demand for safe and reliable LNG meant it was the right time to bring forward the concept select program. 

“It is important we continue to look at ways to develop the Greater Sunrise fields using the latest technologies by evaluating, for example, modular LNG, that did not exist in the past. Against a backdrop of global geopolitical instability and constrained energy supply chains, there is an opportunity for the Sunrise Joint Venture to significantly advance this regionally important project,” she said. 

Osaka Gas Australia Managing Director Yo Otsuka said it was important to assess and compare the development concept from both technical and commercial points of view to select the best option for the success of the Sunrise project. 

In parallel to the concept select program, the SJV is progressing the negotiation of the new Production Sharing Contract, Petroleum Mining Code and associated agreements with the Timor-Leste and Australian Governments, which upon finalisation will provide the fiscal and regulatory certainty required for a development to proceed. 

Background: 

The Sunrise development, located approximately 450 km north-west of Darwin and 150 km south of Timor-Leste, comprises the Sunrise and Troubadour gas and condensate fields. The fields contain an estimated contingent resource (2C) 5.3 Tcf of dry gas and 226 MMbbl of condensate (100%). 

To download this press release, please click here.

Disclaimer: Whilst this is a joint press release by the participants of the SJV the views expressed by each participant in this joint press release are their own and any decisions of the SJV will be governed by the terms of the SJV Unit Operating Agreement as applicable.