East Timor Engages Sinopec for Gas Project

East Timor is seeking partnerships with Chinese firms, including Sinopec, to develop the Greater Sunrise gas field, which has a projected revenue of $65 billion but has been stalled due to ongoing disputes with Australia and Woodside Energy. President Jose Ramos-Horta indicated that if favorable terms cannot be reached with Australia, East Timor may pursue agreements with Chinese or Kuwaiti partners, raising concerns in Australia about China's growing influence in the Pacific. A maritime boundary dispute was resolved in 2018, but disagreements persist regarding the gas piping route—either to a new LNG plant in East Timor or to an existing hub in Darwin. Ramos-Horta's comments come amid a recent Chinese business delegation's visit to East Timor, highlighting a shift towards potential Chinese involvement in the region's energy sector. This pivot may significantly impact regional energy dynamics and international partnerships, especially as East Timor looks to maximize its resource potential amidst declining outputs from other fields.