Govt, TIMOR GAP strengthen human resource preparation and project development in Petroleum Sector
DÍLI, 24 September 2026 (TATOLI) – The petroleum and mineral resources sector recorded new developments in human resource training, in the preparation of infrastructure for the utilisation of natural gas resources, and in exploration activities in the national territory, with the signing of new contracts by TIMOR GAP and EP, and the awarding of three technical surveys by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
Among these initiatives is the development of the Suai Centre of Excellence in Petroleum and Gas, Science and Technology, which aims to strengthen specialised training for Timorese workers and develop technical skills in the country, tailored to the needs of the energy sector and other industrial activities.
TIMOR GAP and Cegelec Oil & Gas – Timor Branch signed a technical support and training contract on September 24th to develop this Centre, which will be located at the Suai Supply Base, with an implementation period of 30 months.
The infrastructure is expected to integrate specialised training spaces, with internationally recognised programmes and learning systems aligned with industry standards. The project also provides for the preparation of Timorese trainers and management staff, with a view to the progressive development of national skills to ensure the Centre’s operation.
TIMOR GAP will be responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of the infrastructure and associated equipment. Cegelec will provide technical support for preparing training programmes, defining workshop equipment, and building trainer capacity, in accordance with OPITO standards, an international organisation that sets training, qualification and safety benchmarks for energy sector workers.
These skills development efforts accompany the technical preparation of projects intended to utilise Timor-Leste’s natural gas resources and to build the necessary infrastructure to connect them to the south coast.
Within this scope, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources also awarded three contracts, on September 24th, for offshore technical surveys related to the Greater Sunrise and Pipeline Highway projects.
The studies will be carried out in Timorese waters off the south coast, at depths ranging from 20 to 3,000 metres, and will enable the collection of data on seabed and subsea characteristics, as well as on meteo-oceanographic conditions. These data will support the definition of the routes and the future design of the gas pipeline between the Greater Sunrise area and Natarbora, and of the Pipeline Highway between the Bayu-Undan field and Natarbora.
At the same time, onshore petroleum exploration activities also progressed. TIMORGAP Onshore Block B, Unipessoal, Lda., a subsidiary of TIMOR GAP, and PETROTIM RESOURCES, S.A. signed the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) relating to the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) TL-OT-25-24 on September 25th.
The agreement establishes the joint operating framework for the execution of activities provided for in the PSC, under which PETROTIM holds a 70% stake and serves as operator, with TIMOR GAP holding the remaining 30%.
The contract area is mainly in the municipalities of Bobonaro and Ainaro, and also includes areas in the municipalities of Ermera, particularly Atsabe, and in Covalima.
The initiatives developed over the past week cover various components of petroleum sector development, from training and qualification of human resources to preparing future natural gas transport infrastructure and advancing onshore petroleum exploration activities.
TATOLI
