East Timor’s President, Jose Ramos-Horta, has stated that the country prefers to work with Australia and existing partners Woodside Energy and Japan’s Osaka Gas in developing the stalled Greater Sunrise natural gas field, instead of Chinese companies that have shown interest. This marks the first time Ramos-Horta has publicly expressed his preference to proceed with the current partners, following earlier suggestions to explore partnerships with new ones, including China and Kuwait.
The Greater Sunrise field holds significant gas reserves of 5.1 trillion cubic feet (144.4 billion cubic meters). The idea of bringing in new partners, particularly from China, raised concerns in Australia about the potential increase in Chinese influence in the Pacific region.
Ramos-Horta added that East Timor has been delaying proposals from Chinese firms like Sinopec, as well as from Kuwaiti companies, to develop the field. He emphasized the country’s commitment to its Australian partners, saying, “If anything, it is our side that has been holding off,” during an interview on Sunday while traveling from Dili to Bali, Indonesia.
The Greater Sunrise field is located about 140 km (87 miles) south of East Timor. State-owned Timor Gap holds a 56.6% stake, while Woodside Energy owns 33.4%, and Osaka Gas holds the remaining 10%.
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