AGP Executive Report

Offshore Energy: Eni is seeking contractors for exploration drilling offshore Timor-Leste and for plugging and decommissioning work at the inactive Kitan field, with campaigns planned from next year. SundaGas also won a 12-month extension to appraise the Chuditch gas field, while Finder Energy has selected an Eneos rig for drilling at its offshore KTJ project. Agriculture and Trade: Bali and Timor-Leste are exploring cattle exports of up to 10,000 head, subject to stock checks, animal-health approvals and shipping arrangements; talks also covered farmer training and breeding technology. Marine Services: Malaysia’s Helms Geomarine and Indonesia’s ENTS signed an agreement to pursue offshore geotechnical work in Indonesia and Timor-Leste, including drilling, seabed testing and engineering services. Business Integration: Timor-Leste approved a 2026–2030 roadmap to coordinate its economic commitments as an ASEAN member, supported by sector plans and work programmes.

Offshore Energy: Eni is seeking contractors for exploration drilling and Kitan field decommissioning campaigns off Timor-Leste, planned from next year. Agriculture & Trade: Bali and Timor-Leste are exploring cattle exports of up to 10,000 head, subject to stock checks, health assessments and trade approvals. Marine Services: Malaysia’s Helms Geomarine and Indonesia’s Elnusa Trans Samudera signed an MoU to pursue offshore geotechnical work in Timor-Leste and Indonesia, with plans for local jobs, equipment and training. Gas Projects: SundaGas received a 12-month extension for the Chuditch gas-field appraisal, while Finder Energy secured a rig for a three-well development program at Kuda Tasi and Jahal. ASEAN Integration: Timor-Leste approved a 2026–2030 roadmap to coordinate its economic commitments, supported by sector plans and work programs.

Offshore Energy: Eni is seeking contractors for exploration drilling next year and work to plug and decommission wells at the former Kitan oilfield. Agriculture and Trade: Bali and Timor-Leste are exploring cattle exports of up to 10,000 head, subject to stock checks, animal-health rules and trade approvals. Industry Services: Malaysian firm Helms Geomarine and Indonesia’s Elnusa Trans Samudera will pursue offshore geotechnical work in Timor-Leste, including seabed testing and drilling. ASEAN Integration: The government approved a 2026–2030 roadmap to coordinate Timor-Leste’s economic commitments, backed by 19 sector plans. Oil and Gas Projects: SundaGas received a 12-month extension for the Chuditch gas-field licence to negotiate next steps, while Finder Energy secured a rig for a three-well program at its offshore KTJ project.

Cross-Border Haze: Indonesian students are demanding a national emergency declaration as fires send toxic smoke across Southeast Asia, disrupting schools and raising health concerns in Timor-Leste. Australia Partnership: A new defence framework signed in Dili on Oct. 22 covers maritime security, disaster response, infrastructure and training; Australia also pledged $62 million over five years for cybersecurity, disaster response and police vessels. ASEAN Integration: Timor-Leste approved a 2026–2030 roadmap for meeting ASEAN economic commitments, backed by 19 sector action plans. Offshore Energy: SundaGas received a 12-month extension to advance Chuditch gas-field appraisal talks with state-owned TIMOR GAP, while Finder Energy has contracted a rig for three development wells at its offshore KTJ project, with drilling planned from late 2027.

Energy: Timor-Leste extended SundaGas Banda’s Chuditch gas licence by 12 months, giving it and state-owned TIMOR GAP until year-end to agree on drilling plans and possible changes to operatorship. Finder Energy has also contracted a rig for three development wells at its offshore Kuda Tasi and Jahal fields, with drilling expected to start in late 2027 or early 2028. Regional Integration: The government approved a 2026–2030 roadmap for meeting ASEAN economic commitments, backed by sector plans and work programmes to guide reforms and implementation. Australia Partnership: A new defence framework signed in Dili covers maritime security, disaster response, infrastructure and training; Australia will also provide $62 million over five years for cybersecurity and disaster response, and new police vessels. Haze Disruption: Smoke from Indonesian wildfires has reached Timor-Leste, prompting nationwide school closures and warnings to keep children indoors.

Defence and Security: Australia and Timor-Leste signed a cooperation framework in Dili on October 22, covering maritime security, disaster relief, infrastructure and training. Canberra will provide $62 million over five years for cybersecurity and disaster response, and vessels for Timor-Leste’s police. ASEAN Integration: The Council of Ministers approved a 2026–2030 roadmap to implement economic commitments, backed by 19 sectoral action plans. Offshore Energy: Regulator ANP extended SundaGas’s Chuditch gas licence by 12 months, giving the partners and state-owned TIMOR GAP time to agree on a path to appraisal drilling by year-end. Finder Energy has also contracted a rig for three development wells at its KTJ oil project, with drilling planned for late 2027 or early 2028. Haze Disruption: Indonesian wildfire smoke has reached Timor-Leste, prompting nationwide school closures as authorities seek to limit children’s exposure.

Defence and Infrastructure: Australia and Timor-Leste signed a cooperation pact covering maritime security, disaster relief and infrastructure. Canberra will provide $62 million over five years for cybersecurity and disaster response, and supply police patrol vessels. ASEAN Integration: The Council of Ministers approved a 2026–30 roadmap to implement Timor-Leste’s economic commitments, supported by 19 sectoral action plans and work plans. Gas Development: Regulator ANP granted SundaGas and TIMOR GAP a 12-month extension for the Chuditch gas licence, allowing more time to agree on the appraisal well and possible transfer of operatorship. Offshore Oil: Finder Energy contracted the Hakuryu-5 rig for three development wells at its KTJ project, with options for two more. Drilling is scheduled to begin between December 2027 and March 2028.

Chuditch Gas: Timor-Leste’s regulator granted SundaGas and state-owned TIMOR GAP a 12-month extension to advance appraisal of the offshore field. The partners are discussing a possible transfer of operatorship to TIMOR GAP, with binding agreements due by year-end. KTJ Oil Project: Finder Energy secured a rig for three development wells offshore, with drilling scheduled to start between December 2027 and March 2028 and first oil targeted in about two years. Energy Investment: President José Ramos-Horta says Greater Sunrise gas agreements could be signed early next year, though doubts remain over the proposed LNG project’s commercial viability. He has also warned that costly diesel power is deterring investors, while declining aid is slowing the energy transition. Mining: Estrella Resources won approval to drill its Laleno Dome copper prospect and reported a 274-million-tonne limestone resource upgrade. Regional Disruption: Indonesian wildfire haze reached Timor-Leste, prompting nationwide school closures as air quality worsened. Trade Links: Timor-Leste and Indonesia are seeking broader market access and business ties under a new investment treaty.

Offshore Gas: Timor-Leste has extended SundaGas and TIMOR GAP’s Chuditch licence by 12 months, keeping the gas appraisal project alive after a termination warning. The partners must agree a drilling plan, with a possible transfer of operatorship to TIMOR GAP, by year-end. Oil Development: Finder Energy has secured the Hakuryu-5 rig for three KTJ development wells offshore, with drilling expected to start between December 2027 and March 2028. The roughly US$42.3 million contract is a key step toward first oil. Greater Sunrise: President José Ramos-Horta says the first agreements for the long-delayed gas project could be signed early next year, though the proposed pipeline and LNG plan still faces commercial doubts. Mining: Estrella Resources has approval to drill at Laleno Dome and reported a 274-million-tonne limestone resource upgrade, advancing Timor-Leste’s mineral prospects.

Offshore Oil: Finder Energy signed an estimated US$42.3 million contract for Eneos Drilling’s Hakuryu-5 rig to drill three development wells at the Kuda Tasi and Jahal project. Work is scheduled to start in late 2027, subject to approvals. Chuditch Gas: Sunda Energy won a 12-month extension for its offshore licence after regulator ANP warned the contract could be terminated over missed drilling commitments. The extra time allows Sunda, state-owned TIMOR GAP and ANP to negotiate a plan for the Chuditch-2 appraisal well, potentially including a TIMOR GAP stake increase and operator change. Greater Sunrise: President José Ramos-Horta says the first gas-project agreements could be signed early next year. The proposed pipeline and LNG development promise jobs and investment, but commercial doubts remain. Energy Supply: Ramos-Horta says costly diesel power is deterring investors and argues oil and gas development is needed to support economic diversification, including a green economy. Regional Disruption: Indonesian wildfire haze forced school closures in Timor-Leste and has affected flights elsewhere in the region, underscoring risks to daily services and transport.

Haze and Transport: Indonesia’s wildfires have forced Timor-Leste to close schools, while smoke has also disrupted flights in neighboring countries, adding pressure to regional transport links. Offshore Gas: Sunda Energy secured a 12-month extension to its Timor-Leste gas contract, giving it and state partner TIMOR GAP more time to agree on a plan to drill the Chuditch-2 appraisal well. Greater Sunrise: President José Ramos-Horta says the first agreements for the long-delayed gas project could be signed early next year, though questions remain over the proposed pipeline and LNG plant on Timor-Leste’s south coast. Mining: Estrella Resources won approval to begin its first drilling campaign at Laleno Dome, targeting copper-gold deposits. Regional Trade: Indonesia and Timor-Leste are seeking broader market access and business partnerships; bilateral trade reached US$273.86 million in the first eight months of 2026.

Gas Development: Sunda Energy secured a 12-month extension for its Chuditch gas PSC, giving it and state-owned TIMOR GAP more time to agree on drilling plans and approvals. President José Ramos-Horta says the first Greater Sunrise project agreements could be signed early next year, though the proposed LNG development still faces doubts over commercial viability. Energy Investment: Ramos-Horta says costly diesel power and dwindling aid are holding back investment, while arguing oil and gas development is needed to fund economic diversification. Regional Ties: Timor-Leste and Indonesia are seeking broader trade and business links; bilateral trade reached US$273.86 million in January–August, up 1.59% year on year. Mining: Estrella Resources won approval to begin its first drilling campaign at the Laleno Dome, testing for copper-gold deposits. Jobs and Skills: A joint ILO, Indonesia and Timor-Leste programme trained 31 employment officers in counselling jobseekers and responding to employers’ needs. Offshore Oil: Finder Energy contracted a rig for a planned three-well development campaign at the Kuda Tasi and Jahal fields, subject to further approvals.

Energy: President José Ramos-Horta says dwindling aid is forcing Timor-Leste to rely on oil and gas to power economic diversification. The grid runs almost entirely on costly diesel, which he says deters investors. He also expects the first Greater Sunrise gas agreements to be signed early next year, though the project’s commercial viability remains disputed. Workforce: A new Indonesia–Timor-Leste programme trained 31 employment officers in Dili to improve job counselling and connect workers with employers and training. Regional Trade: The countries have signed an investment treaty to encourage cross-border business. Bilateral trade reached US$273.86 million in January–August, up 1.59% year on year. Offshore Development: Finder Energy has contracted the Hakuryu-5 rig for three development wells at the Kuda Tasi and Jahal fields from December 2027, subject to approvals. The plan includes options for two more wells. Mining: Estrella Resources has approval to begin maiden drilling at the Laleno Dome copper-gold prospect, with site preparation underway. Air Quality: Indonesian wildfire haze forced school closures in Timor-Leste and disrupted daily life across the region, underscoring the economic and public-health costs of cross-border pollution.

Haze Disrupts Work and Schools: Indonesian wildfire smoke pushed Southeast Asia to its highest haze alert, with unhealthy air in Dili and schools closed nationwide from October 15 to 17. Timor-Leste supports joint regional action. Greater Sunrise: President José Ramos-Horta says the first gas-project agreements are expected early next year, though the proposed south-coast LNG development still faces doubts over commercial viability. Offshore Oil: Finder Energy secured a rig for three development wells at the Kuda Tasi and Jahal fields, with drilling planned for December 2027, subject to approvals. Mining: Estrella Resources won approval to begin its first drilling at Laleno Dome, targeting copper-gold mineralisation. Trade and Investment: Timor-Leste and Indonesia are pursuing wider market access and business ties; their investment treaty aims to encourage cross-border investment, while bilateral trade reached US$273.86 million in the first eight months of 2026.

Gas Development: President José Ramos-Horta says Timor-Leste expects to sign key agreements for Greater Sunrise early next year, as doubts remain over the cost and commercial viability of piping gas ashore for an LNG plant. Haze Disruption: Indonesia’s fires have triggered ASEAN’s highest haze alert, with pollution affecting Timor-Leste and forcing nationwide school closures earlier this week. Trade and Investment: Timor-Leste and Indonesia are seeking wider market access and stronger business ties; a newly signed investment treaty aims to make cross-border investment easier. Bilateral trade reached US$273.9 million in the first eight months of 2026. Oil Development: Finder Energy has secured the Hakuryu-5 rig for three planned development wells at the offshore Kuda Tasi and Jahal project from December 2027, subject to approvals. Mining: Estrella Resources received approval to begin its first drilling at Laleno Dome, targeting copper-gold deposits. Its Werumata limestone project now has a 533-million-tonne resource, including 274 million tonnes in the higher-confidence indicated category.

Regional Trade: Indonesia and Timor-Leste are seeking broader market access and business partnerships; bilateral trade reached US$273.9 million in January–August, up 1.59% year on year. A newly signed investment treaty aims to support cross-border investment. Offshore Energy: Finder Energy has secured the Hakuryu-5 rig for three firm development wells at the offshore Kuda Tasi and Jahal project, with drilling planned from December 2027, subject to approvals. Mining: Estrella Resources has approval to begin maiden drilling at the Laleno Dome copper-gold prospect. It also upgraded 274 million tonnes of its Werumata limestone resource to indicated, bringing the total to 533 million tonnes. Digital Economy: Timor-Leste is preparing to join ASEAN’s digital economy framework, with work under way on customs links, electronic payments and data security. Haze Disruption: Indonesia’s wildfires have triggered ASEAN’s highest haze alert; Timor-Leste closed schools nationwide for three days as smoke spread across the region.