November 25, 2025 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Timor-Leste (MPRM) and Woodside Energy Ltd have announced the signing of a Cooperation Agreement to advance studies for a Timor-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) development. The agreement represents a significant step forward in efforts to develop the Greater Sunrise gas fields and signals renewed collaboration between the parties.

Under the terms of the agreement, MPRM and Woodside will undertake commercial and technical work to mature a greenfield Timor-based LNG facility with an approximate capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum. The proposed project would include a domestic gas facility and a helium extraction plant. These maturation activities will proceed alongside ongoing negotiations between the Sunrise Joint Venture and the Timor-Leste and Australian governments regarding fiscal, regulatory and legal frameworks for the upstream development of Greater Sunrise.

The agreement outlines a high-level plan identifying key activities needed to advance the opportunity. According to the framework, first LNG production could potentially commence between 2032 and 2035, contingent on concept selection and final investment decisions.

Timor-Leste’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, His Excellency Francisco da Costa Monteiro, said the agreement demonstrates alignment between the Government of Timor-Leste and Woodside in their shared goal of bringing Greater Sunrise into production in a manner that benefits all stakeholders.

“The TLNG project presents the best economic, social, and strategic benefits for the people of Timor-Leste, and we are committed to working constructively with Woodside, the Greater Sunrise joint venture and other parties to take the project forward and to make our vision for Greater Sunrise a reality,” the minister stated.

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill welcomed the agreement as the next step in the relationship and the shared commitment to developing the Greater Sunrise fields. She explained that the work builds on last year’s concept study and will address remaining considerations necessary for concept selection, including establishing an appropriate downstream commercial structure to attract financing and determining the preferred route for the gas export pipeline.