Multilateral Resolutions on the Greater Sunrise Gas Fields

As part of his inaugural state visit to Timor-Leste, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão to press for accelerated progress on the long-delayed development of the Greater Sunrise gas fields, with both leaders agreeing the project should advance “as soon as possible.” The two leaders also signed a broader partnership covering defense, maritime security, and economic ties. Australia reaffirmed its commitment to establishing an infrastructure fund that would direct at least one-third of its future upstream revenue from Greater Sunrise to Timor-Leste. The talks build on the 2018 Maritime Boundary Treaty and subsequent resource-sharing arrangements. However, a key commercial and political sticking point remains unresolved: whether gas from Greater Sunrise will be processed via pipeline to a new LNG facility on Timor-Leste’s south coast, as advocated by Dili, or routed to existing infrastructure in northern Australia. Both governments urged the Sunrise Joint Venture to deliver a commercially viable development plan to break the years-long impasse.

Complementing this diplomatic push, Timor-Leste’s government has launched a tender process for two critical pipeline projects linked to the Greater Sunrise and Bayu-Undan fields. The move signals Dili’s intent to advance technical groundwork should the onshore development model proceed. Given that petroleum revenues have historically accounted for the vast majority of state income (and that Bayu-Undan is nearing depletion) the timely development of Greater Sunrise is central to Timor-Leste’s energy security and broader economic trajectory. The U.S. private sector, which has had an infrequent role in developingTimor-Leste’s reserves, especially firms with expertise in offshore engineering, subsea pipeline design, LNG facility construction, environmental and social impact assessments, project finance and energy service providers can offer strategic collaboration. Moreover, as Timor-Leste seeks to diversify partnerships, U.S. participation could align commercial engagement with broader strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific.