Former Timor Leste president Xanana Gusmao
The great game for Greater Sunrise
Timor-Leste is caught between the competing interests of two major Asia-Pacific powers
Timor-Leste faces a stark choice in its search for a partner to develop its Greater Sunrise natural gas project, as its operational domestic fields approach end of life. Leaders in Dili must choose between the only two viable options: Chinese funding that threatens the country’s sovereignty or Australian investment that recalls perceived grossly lopsided resource-sharing arrangements. One day after its 20th independence day was celebrated on 30 August, Timor-Leste marked the completion of a maritime border treaty with Australia that secured it 70-80pc of Greater Sunrise revenues. The Sunrise and Troubadour fields are estimated to hold 5.1trn ft³ of gas and 226mn b/l of condensate with a comb
Also in this section
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security
21 April 2026
As the global energy system undergoes a fundamental realignment, Algihaz Holdings has established itself as a critical player bridging conventional energy markets and the next generation of renewable infrastructure.
21 April 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress is taking place from 11-15 October 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.
