DILI, 05 November 2019 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste’s National Petroleum and Minerals Authority (ANPM) said it’s been approached by “one or two” companies interested in exploring for minerals at 18 new sites released for public tender.
The tenders — comprised of seven onshore and 11 off-shore blocks — were released last month by Prime Minister, Taur Matan Ruak at a global gathering of mining executives in Dili.
ANPM President Gualdino Da Silva said there has been a good response so far.
“We were contacted from the start by one or two businesses, but we’e only just begun the [tender] process, and it’s open for a year, so we’ll keep waiting,” he said.
Mr da Silva told the Oil and Gas Summit last month, companies can bid in a partnership (joint venture) or as an individual. And he told investors that seismic tests has identified rock containing potentially large volumes of oil and gas across the 18 sites.
Related news: Timor-Leste opens 18 new sites for oil exploration
Global investors charm offensive continues
Mr da Silva said the mining authority is continuing its six-month world tour to drum up interest in the public tenders, having already met with investors in London.
“We are now preparing to visit Abu Dhabi, after visiting London, [where] we will have to travel twice to by the end of this year.”
“Next year we will concentrate on Australia and China and will finalize [the visits] in March before the closing of the 18 public tenders next year,” he said.
First published in Tetum as: ANPM Simu Ona Kontaktu Husi Empreza Balun ba Konkursu Públiku Bloku 18; and: ANPM Promove Ona Rikusoin ba Mundu
Journalist: Francisco Miranda Ximenes
Editors: Maria Auxiliadora; Robert Baird
Translation: Nelia Borges
