DILI, 17 April 2026 (TATOLI) — Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão met on Thursday with representatives of Timor Resources at the Government Palace in Dili to review progress on onshore oil exploration in Timor-Leste and discuss the transition from exploration to evaluation and development phases.
During the meeting, company representatives presented an update on ongoing activities, highlighting the drilling of three onshore wells in Covalima municipality as part of the project’s initial phase.
The company said the drilling program had achieved a high success rate and that evaluation work on the discoveries is currently underway.
Discussions also focused on Timor Resources’ plans to advance the development of identified reserves, including potential additional drilling in areas considered prospective for oil and gas.
The company expressed its intention to continue investment aimed at future hydrocarbon production in the country.
Timor Resources Chief Executive Christopher Moyes said the project had reached a new stage of development.
“Timor Resources has drilled three onshore wells in Timor. We are now moving from the exploration phase into the evaluation and development phase,” Moyes said. “We had the opportunity today to meet with the Prime Minister and share our enthusiasm for this project. We also sought his support to continue moving forward, to ensure benefits for both our company and Timor-Leste.”
The meeting was also attended by Julie Bishop, former Australian foreign minister and current adviser to the company, and Chris McCown, interim managing director overseeing operations. Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Francisco da Costa Monteiro also took part in the discussions.
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