The Government has just enacted the Onshore Petroleum Operations Regulation by means of Decree-Law No. 18/2020, dated 13 May 2020.

This new highly anticipated statute, which had been pending promulgation since February 2019, is crucial to onshore operations currently being conducted on the South Coast of Timor-Leste, and also to companies considering bidding for onshore blocks in the ongoing oil & gas licensing round. The new rules cover all petroleum operations carried out onshore Timor-Leste, under the Petroleum Activities Law, from exploration, appraisal, development and production to abandonment, including the transport, processing and storage of crude oil and natural gas in an upstream context. It also applies to facilities located onshore but used in relation to offshore operations.

Along with specific rules on the operations, including safety and local content, the new framework includes provisions on access to land, relationship with local communities, installation and abandonment of pipelines and facilities.

The new rules shall come into force 90 days after the date of their publication in the official gazette.

Should you require any clarifications on this new framework please contact:
[email protected]
[email protected]