Sunrise project moves to next stage

Almost 50 years after the first field was discovered, and following international intrigue, Woodside Energy and partners are moving on a concept select program for the Sunrise LNG project. 

ASX-listed Woodside said the study would “expeditiously” compare options to develop the Greater Sunrise gas fields in the Timor Sea, including processing in TimorLeste or Australia.

That will mean reviewing new technology, updating cost estimates, and considering strategic benefits.

The project is operated by Woodside, the 33 per cent shareholder, with Osaka Gas hoding 10 per cent.

But the majority stake rests with Timor Gap, a Timorese state-owned business that controls nearly 56 per cent of the venture.

Timor Gap chief executive Antonio de Sousa said developing the project had been a long-awaited goal.

“This path forward is a significant commitment to our stakeholders, to the aspirations of those who made sacrifices to achieve independence for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, and to the future of our people and Timor-Leste,” he said. 

“It offers a clearer path to prosperity, equality, peace, stability, and sustainability for current and future generations.”

Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill said modular LNG would be one of the emerging technologies considered for the development.

“Against a backdrop of global geopolitical instability and constrained energy supply chains, there is an opportunity for the Sunrise joint venture to significantly advance this regionally important project,” she said.

The Sunrise field was discovered in 1974.

That field, and the neighbouring Troubadour, are expected to have 5 trillion cubic feet of gas.

The Sunrise development has long been surrounded by political intrigue.

It was linked to an espionage scandal between Australia and East Timor. 

The Australian Secret Intelligence Service allegedly planted listening devices in East Timor government offices to gain the upper hand in negotiations for an oil and gas treaty.

The ensuing fallout included a battle in the International Court of Justice and the prosecution of Witness K, who had sought to blow the whistle on the spying operation.