Timor Gás & Petróleo EP (Timor GAP), Timor-Leste's state-owned energy company, finalized an agreement on September 2, 2026, to acquire Osaka Gas Australia Pty Ltd's 10% participating interest in the Greater Sunrise project, raising Timor GAP's total stake to 66.56%. This development came after the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MPRM) signed a contract with Fugro Singapore Marine Pte Ltd on July 17, 2026, for a Geophysical and Two-Dimensional High-Resolution Seismic (2D-HRS) Survey for the Greater Sunrise Gas Export Pipeline.

These recent actions are expected to pave the way for a final investment decision on the Greater Sunrise project, which Timor-Leste considers essential for its economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, and energy security.

What the records show

On September 2, 2026, Timor GAP announced a binding agreement to purchase Osaka Gas Australia Pty Ltd's 10% stake in the Greater Sunrise project. This acquisition elevated Timor GAP's ownership from 56.56% to 66.56%, establishing it as the majority stakeholder. The remaining partner, Woodside Energy, holds a 33.44% interest. The Greater Sunrise complex, discovered in 1974, comprises the Sunrise and Troubadour gas and condensate fields. It holds estimated contingent resources of 5.13 trillion cubic feet of gas and 226 million barrels of condensate.

Before this, on July 17, 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources signed a contract with Fugro Singapore Marine Pte Ltd for a survey. This survey will cover deepwater offshore areas in the Timor Sea and includes geophysical, seismic, and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) surveys. The purpose is to provide detailed seabed and shallow subsurface information, which will optimize the pipeline route, support engineering design, and ensure safe development of the gas export pipeline. The survey also incorporates the Bayu Undan energy development, linking two regional energy initiatives.

Timeline of recent developments

July 17, 2026: The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MPRM) signed a contract with Fugro Singapore Marine Pte Ltd for a Geophysical and Two-Dimensional High-Resolution Seismic (2D-HRS) Survey for the Greater Sunrise Gas Export Pipeline.

September 2, 2026: Timor GAP finalized an agreement to acquire Osaka Gas Australia Pty Ltd's 10% participating interest in the Greater Sunrise project.

What changed and for whom

Timor GAP's stake in the Greater Sunrise project significantly increased from 56.56% to 66.56%, making it the majority owner. This shift in ownership structure is seen as a key step in accelerating the project's development. The initiation of the pipeline survey addresses a long-standing point of contention regarding the location of the LNG export facility. Timor-Leste has consistently advocated for a pipeline to an onshore facility within its borders, rather than to Darwin, Australia. The survey's findings are intended to support this preferred route.

What the subject has said publicly

Rui Soares, CEO of Timor GAP, stated that the acquisition of Osaka Gas Australia's stake is a significant milestone for both Timor GAP and Timor-Leste. Soares noted that this move increases the country's participation in the project and positions partners to "fast-track pending work with a view to the selection of the Timor LNG development concept in the near future".

Timor-Leste's President, Jose Ramos-Horta, anticipates that agreements for the Greater Sunrise gas project will be signed "within the next few months".

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm a specific date for the final investment decision (FID) for the Greater Sunrise project. We also could not confirm a precise timeline for the completion of the geophysical and seismic surveys being conducted by Fugro Singapore Marine Pte Ltd. The project's full economic impact on job creation and infrastructure development in Timor-Leste could not be confirmed beyond general statements. The exact details of the agreements anticipated to be signed by President Ramos-Horta were not specified.