Overview of Extractive Industries

Over the next few decades, Timor-Leste is expected to accrue substantial revenues from oil and gas production. To date, production has come from a joint development area in the Timor Sea. Further onshore and offshore activity is expected. The World Bank estimates revenues in excess of USD 1 billion from FY05-09. As a petroleum-rich country, Timor-Leste needs to be particularly vigilant in maintaining good governance to avoid the resource curse prevalent in many resource-rich countries. The Government has adopted a legal framework for petroleum production, taxation, and revenue management that is considered international best-practice.

Status of EITI Implementation

Timor Leste was accepted as an EITI Candidate Country on 22 February 2008 and issued its first EITI Report on 21 December 2009. The first report covers financial data for 2008.   

Timor Leste has until 9 March 2010 to undertake validation. Timor Leste has requested an extension to their Validation deadline which will be considered by the International EITI Board when it meets 15-16 April. A draft of the Validation Report has been received by the EITI Board Validation Committee and work has begun on agreeing a final Validation Report.

The first meeting of Timor-Leste's Multi-Stakeholder Working Group for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) was held in Dili on May 15, 2007, bringing together representatives from relevant government agencies, civil society, and the petroleum industry. The multi-stakeholder working group has produced a costed workplan that is available online: http://www.timor-leste.gov.tl/EMRD/index.asp

Governance of EITI Implementation

Hon. Alfredo Pires has been appointed as the “Government Focal Point” for the EITI. The EITI coordinator, Mr Manuel de Lemos, guides implementation on a day-to-day basis.

Timor-Leste EITI Focal Point

Mr Manuel de Lemos
Director
Secretariat of State for Natural Resources
Dili, Timor-Leste
E-Mail: delemos [dot] manuel [at] gmail [dot] com

Companies operating*

Oil & gas companies: ConocoPhilips*, Inpex (Japan), Petronas, Eni*, Woodside*

* Note: Company list based on EITI research and is not conclusive

For further information contact Sam Bartlett at the EITI International Secretariat.