MANATUTO, 13 january 2025 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, on satuday, launched Kafe-2D Seismic Acquisition, an onshore seismic survey in Natarbora Administrative Post, Manatuto Municipality.
The Seismic survey aims to investigate and gather initial data on Timor-Leste’s natural resources deposit underground, especially oil, and gas in the TIMOR GAP Pualaca Block.
In accordance with the Minimum Work Program under Article 4.4 of the PSC, TGPB is committed to acquire a minimum of 100-line kilometers of 2D seismic data in the Second year of the Initial Exploration period. Thus, TGPB with its sub-contractor BGP Inc, China National Petroleum Corporation (R.P), a well-known seismic service company, proceed with the acquisition of the 266-line kilometers of the “Kafé” 2D seismic in the Contract Area, which will be followed by processing and interpretation. Drilling of one exploration well in the Third year of the First Exploration period has been foreseen in the PSC
With the launching of “Kafé” 2D Seismic acquisition survey, it has shown that, as State owned company, TGPB is committed to exploring the hydrocarbon in onshore area and contributes to the development of the Oil and Gas industry of the Onshore Timor-Leste.
TIMOR GAP Pualaca Block, Unipessoal, Lda., a wholly owned subsidiary of TIMOR GAP, was awarded with the PSC TL-OT-21-17 on 7 december 2021. The block covers an area of 1,575 km2 and is located on the south coast of Timor-Leste. In total, it accounts for territory in three municipalities Manatuto, Manufahi, and Viqueque.
The results of the survey would be made available to interested bidders for exploration.
Prime Minister Gusmão, in his speech, called on the community leaders of the three municipalities in the South Coast Region to collaborate with the survey team in order to guarantee the success of the search for oil and gas in the region.
He said that the team will also collect data on the oil that flows to the surface from the natural pressure in some areas of Pualaca.
Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Francisco da Costa Monteiro, said that the seismic survey is crucial to uncover hydrocarbon potential in the region.
He said it was Timor-Leste’s first onshore seismic petroleum operations since independence to take place in the South Coast Region.
Journalist: Anito Soares
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
Translation: Jose Belarmino de Sa