The government’s reportedly $5 billion plan according to the Australian Financial Review, is part of the Tasi Mane project being developed by Timor Gap, which includes plans to build a pipeline from the Greater Sunrise gas fields to Suai, an LNG plant at Becao, a road linking Suai to Zumal, and an upgraded international airport at Suai.
Addressing parliament on Wednesday, Fretilin’s Vice President Francisco Miranda Branco gave a supportive speech on the government’s plan, while also calling for a breakdown on perspective revenue from the project.
"Fretilin supports 100% to withdraw pipe line from the Greater Sunrise to Timor-Leste but as an opposition it is entitled to know how much revenue the government will receive in the future, '' Branco said.
The President of the Democratic Party, Mariano Asanami echoed Branco’s words,
Asanami described it is a smart “economic” plan developed in the interest of the people of Timor-Leste and State.
"We from the Democrat Party 100% believe gas from Greater Sunrise must be withdrawn in Timor-Leste,” Asanami said.
The opposition party support came as the Council of Ministers agreed to put US$350 million in the 2019 State Budget to buy out US energy giant ConocoPhullip’s 30 per cent share in the Greater Sunrise gas consortium.
The development of the pipeline remains conditional on the approval from Sunrise joint venture partners. These include Woodside (operator) with a 33.4% interest, Shell (26.6%) and Osaka Gas (10%).