DILI, 23 June 2025 (TATOLI) –Francisco da Costa Monteiro, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, delivered a keynote address on Friday, 20 June 2025, during the Ministerial Session of the LNG Producer–Consumer Conference 2025 in Tokyo, Japan.
Minister Monteiro expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan, particularly to Yoji Muto, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, for convening the forum at a pivotal time for the global energy sector. He emphasized that, while the global community moves forward with energy transition, natural gas and LNG remain essential for ensuring energy security, affordability, and market stability.
Minister Monteiro cautioned against the growing reliance on short-term LNG contracts, noting that such trends undermine investment in long-cycle infrastructure projects. Minister Monteiro called for a return to long-term contracting frameworks to provide the certainty needed to finance upstream and downstream developments, particularly in emerging producer countries.
The Minister highlighted Timor-Leste’s ambition to develop its proven gas reserves, within the next decade, with the Greater Sunrise field positioned as a national priority. He underlined the Government’s goal of achieving first gas from Greater Sunrise by 2032, while also advancing other prospective resources such as Chuditch and Kelp Deep.
Minister Monteiro further elaborated on Timor-Leste’s downstream strategy, which includes the development of an LNG terminal, petrochemical complex, and refining facilities on the south coast through the Tasi Mane Project. Noting that these efforts are intended not only to monetize the country’s natural resources but also to generate jobs, diversify the economy, and deliver broader social and economic value.
Referring to the Concept Study conducted by Wood Group, the Minister reiterated that a pipeline to Timor-Leste with an onshore LNG plant presents the most commercially and technically viable development option for Greater Sunrise.
Minister Monteiro concluded by reiterating Timor-Leste’s readiness to collaborate with producers, consumers, financiers, and investors to ensure LNG continues to play a central role in the global energy transition.
TATOLI
