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Australia ratifies maritime boundaries with Timor-Leste

Australia passed legislation in late July 2019 that sets down maritime boundaries with Timor-Leste, providing a framework for the two countries to split revenue from the offshore Greater Sunrise natural gas field.

Both sides signed the historic treaty in March 2018 to sort out a long-running dispute over the Timor Sea border, which had delayed development of the Greater Sunrise. It was found in 1974 and holds about 5.1 trillion cubic feet of gas.

“With the passage of the treaty’s implementing legislation today, Australia is now ready to partner with Timor-Leste to jointly develop the Greater Sunrise gas fields for the benefit of both countries,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

“Greater Sunrise will provide new opportunities for income, and commercial and industrial development in Timor-Leste, and is an important part of Timor-Leste’s economic future.”

Under the deal, Timor-Leste is entitled to 70% of the revenue if the gas is piped to the island or 80% if the gas is piped to Australia for processing.

Australia had sought a boundary aligned with its continental shelf, but Timor-Leste argued the border should lie half way between it and Australia — placing much of the Greater Sunrise field under its control.

Timor-Leste’s foreign minister said the country could ratify the treaty on August 30, the anniversary of a referendum that gave the small Pacific nation, one of the world’s poorest, its long-awaited independence in 1999.

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