During an exclusive interview, José Ramos-Horta, the President of Timor-Leste, shared his hopes for the long-awaited $74 billion Greater Sunrise gas project, expressing optimism that groundbreaking could happen by the end of this year.
Ramos-Horta emphasized the necessity for the project to benefit Timor-Leste, asserting that the pipeline and processing facilities should be positioned within his country rather than in Darwin, Australia.
“The gas field was discovered back in 1974 in the Timor Sea, and since that time, we’ve endured a prolonged negotiation process,” he explained. “Although the Timor Gap Treaty was signed in 1989, it wasn’t until 2019 that maritime boundaries were finally settled following Timor-Leste’s independence. The debate over where the processing should take place has been a persistent issue ever since.”
As he prepares for a trip to Australia that includes a speech at the iconic Sydney Opera House and a presentation at the National Press Club, Ramos-Horta is aware of the growing pressure on Australia to finalize the gas production agreement. He noted that potential investors, including those from China, are keen to participate.
“The Australian government estimates that revenue from this gas field could amount to about $50 billion, with another $50 billion in economic benefits through construction and job creation,” he stated. “This could provide a substantial boost to economic growth and public finances.”
Ramos-Horta called on Australia to take a constructive approach to quickly finalize the Greater Sunrise project agreement. “It’s a complex process, but if both parties are dedicated to this, I believe we can make significant headway by the end of the year,” he asserted.
While he acknowledged that it would take six to seven years for the pipeline to become operational, he underscored that construction could begin immediately after the agreement is signed, creating jobs and generating hundreds of millions in revenue.
“The moment they sign, we’re ready to start working in Timor-Leste,” Ramos-Horta reiterated. “And importantly, if the pipeline runs through our country, the benefits will be vastly greater.”
He pointed out that the gas field lies just 150 kilometers from Timor-Leste and 450 kilometers from Australia. Woodside Energy, the project operator, has argued that transporting the gas to Darwin is more commercially feasible, but Ramos-Horta strongly disagrees.
“It’s significantly closer to Timor-Leste,” he stated. “Transporting to Darwin incurs greater costs due to Australia’s heavy taxation. It would be 100 times more expensive than processing it in Timor-Leste. For us, that simply doesn’t add up. Even a shopkeeper would grasp this basic principle.”
Additionally, he mentioned that South Korea and Kuwait have shown interest in investing in the project. “There are always numerous investors, not just from China,” he remarked, alluding to the broader geopolitical context. “China has a vested interest in ensuring a peaceful Asia.”
In his address at the National Press Club, Ramos-Horta intends to highlight Timor-Leste’s successes since independence. His personal history is deeply linked to the East Timorese resistance during the 24-year Indonesian occupation, and he returned home after the 1999 independence referendum. He is currently being hosted by the Australia Institute as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.
Furthermore, he will advocate for Australia to strengthen its support for Myanmar following the military coup in 2021.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson characterized the relationship between Australia and Timor-Leste as a close partnership, stating, “Australia is committed to helping a free, independent, and prosperous Timor-Leste make a significant contribution to the global community. We are eager to develop the Greater Sunrise field as soon as feasible, in accordance with the 2018 Maritime Boundary Treaty.”
