DOCSLIB.ORG

LHB Timor Gap.Pmd

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
LHB Timor Gap.Pmd iThe La’o Hamutuk Bulletin Vol. 3, Nos. 4-8 May-December 2002 Compilation of Timor Sea Reports During the last half of 2002, The La’o Hamutuk Bulletin published many reports on Timor Sea oil and gas issues which are collected in this compilation. Additional information and future reports can be read on La’o Hamutuk’s web site at http://www.etan.org/lh or the OilWeb CD-ROM (see page 27). May 2002 With Independence, What Changes for the Timor Gap? Borders and Oil Deals between Australia and East Timor evenues from oil and natural gas currently repre- Indonesia. The question of whether East Timor’s share sent East Timor’s greatest hope for meeting the is closer to US$8 billion or to US$38 billion depends Rnation’s basic needs in the future. Although a few largely on where boundary lines are drawn in the Timor small oil and natural gas deposits exist on East Timor’s Sea. Some experts state that if the maritime (seabed) land, the current discussion focuses on much larger oil boundary were established using current international and gas deposits in the waters between East Timor and legal principles, East Timor would stand to gain more Australia. These deposits mean between US$8 and than US$30 billion. The issue of the maritime boundary US$38 billion (thousand million) for East Timor over between Australia and East Timor is not new, but East the next thirty years. (East Timor’s government budget Timor’s independence brings new questions and chal- for the coming year is US$77 million.) lenges. Currently, East Timor and Australia are negotiating a Many expect that shortly after East Timor’s official treaty to jointly develop petroleum in the Timor Gap, an independence, new East Timorese Prime Minister Mari area previously subject to a treaty between Australia and Alkatiri and Australia will sign the ‘Timor Sea Arrange- Contents. Maps of Timor Gap Treaty and Timor Sea Arrangement ................................. 2-3 PetroTimor: Ancient History? ................................................................................. 4 Editorial: Australia: Stop Stealing East Timor’s Oil............................................. 7 With Money, Oil Also Brings Problems (OilWatch) .............................................. 8 The Process of Petroleum Exploitation ................................................................. 10 Choosing Wealth Instead of Oil (Costa Rica) ....................................................... 10 Oil and gas fields in the Timor Sea (map) ............................................................ 11 Four-Fifths of Australia’s Gas is Outside the Timor Sea (map) ......................... 12 Company Shares of Timor Sea Oil and Gas Fields (graph) ................................ 13 Annual Revenues of Governments and Oil Companies (graph) ......................... 13 Timor Sea Oil Companies at a Glance (profiles).................................................. 14 Report on SEAAOC Offshore Petroleum Conference in Darwin ...................... 18 These reports are La’o Hamutuk: Australian Parliament should not ratify the Timor Sea Treaty20 also available in Chronology of Oil and Gas Developments in the Timor Sea 1893-2002 ............ 23 Bahasa Indonesia. Announcing La’o Hamutuk’s OilWeb CD-ROM ................................................. 27 Australian and East Timorese Views of the Timor Sea (government maps) ..... 28 La’o Hamutuk, The East Timor Institute for Reconstruction Monitoring and Analysis P.O. Box 340, Dili, East Timor (via Darwin, Australia) Mobile: +670-7234330; Land phone: +670(390)325-013 Email: [email protected] Web:http://www.etan.org/lh ment’ which was negotiated by the Australian govern- little understood by most East Timorese. Future issues ment and UNTAET/East Timor in 2001. This agreement of the La’o Hamutuk Bulletin will look at other aspects will then go to East Timor’s new Parliament for ratifi- of East Timor’s oil and natural gas resources, including cation as a treaty on the Timor Sea reserves. Its propo- current exploration projects, oil companies’ involve- nents call the agreement the “best deal” that East Timor ment, labor and environmental concerns, and the global can get at this time with Australia, and are quick to ex- context of oil and gas exploitation. plain that it is a temporary agreement “without preju- dice to East Timor’s maritime boundaries,” which means Maritime Boundary between East Timor and that the agreement will not influence the determination Australia of a future maritime boundary decision. Others, how- Upon independence, East Timor will have no defi- ever, believe that this agreement will compromise East nite maritime boundaries and will need to seek mari- Timor’s ability to claim broader boundaries and thus time boundary agreements with both Indonesia and Aus- gain access to all the seabed deposits to which the coun- tralia. Past maritime boundaries between Australia and try could be legally entitled. Indonesia lay the foundation for the current division of La’o Hamutuk has written two editorials on the Timor oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea as well as in the Gap negotiations (see LH Bulletin Vol. 1, No. 3 and Vol. proposed treaty. To understand where East Timor cur- 2, No. 5). In this article, we provide information regard- rently stands, it is important to look at the history of the ing the question of maritime boundaries and the pro- maritime boundary between the two countries. posed treaty. We also hope to encourage more transpar- In 1972, using the continental shelf argument (which ency and dialogue around this important issue, which is argues that a seabed boundary should follow the deep- Map 1: Timor Gap Treaty 1989-1999 (Australia and Indonesia) 1999-independence (Australia and UNTAET) Oecussi Indonesia (West Timor) Page 2 2002 La’o Hamutuk Bulletin Compilation est point on the ocean floor between the countries), Aus- redefined international maritime law stating that for tralia managed to negotiate with Indonesia a maritime countries with less than 400 nautical miles of sea be- boundary that gave Australia 85% of the ocean territory tween them, the international boundary would be the between the two countries. Portugal never accepted the mid-point. continental shelf argument and unsuccessfully sought a The United Nations never recognized East Timor as boundary located mid-way between Australia’s and East part of Indonesia. However, in 1989, despite ongoing Timor’s coastlines. The contested area became known human rights violations, Australia and Indonesia signed as the “Timor Gap.” the Timor Gap Treaty. This treaty divided the Timor Gap In 1975, with full knowledge of Indonesia’s intention region into three sections in which petroleum produc- to invade East Timor, Australian Ambassador to Jakarta tion in the largest area, Area A, was to be equally shared Richard Woolcott sent a confidential memo to his gov- by the two countries. In Area C, closest to East Timor, ernment, stating that “closing the present gap in the 90% of the production would go to Indonesia and 10% agreed sea border could be much more readily negoti- to Australia. In Area B, Indonesia received 10% and ated with Indonesia…than with Portugal or an indepen- Australia 90%. (See Map 1.) dent Portuguese Timor.” He noted in the memo that the Under this division, contracts were signed with mul- Ministry of Mines and Energy might be interested in tinational oil companies including U.S.-based Phillips this. Petroleum, British and Dutch owned Shell, and Austra- In 1979, after international outcry over Indonesia’s lian-based Woodside and Broken Hill Propriety (BHP). brutal invasion and occupation of East Timor had sub- Contracts were signed in December 1991 and first ex- sided, Australia began to negotiate with Indonesia on plorations began in 1992. For the Australian govern- the Timor Gap area. Unable to agree on permanent mari- ment and these companies, the prospect of money from time boundaries, the two countries decided to create an oil was more important than East Timor’s human and agreement to jointly develop petroleum in the area be- political rights. tween the median line to the south and the 1972 seabed As these explorations in the Timor Gap were begin- boundary to the north. Only a few years later, in 1981, ning, Portugal brought a case against Australia and the Australia and Indonesia agreed on a fishing boundary Timor Gap Treaty to the International Court of Justice that ran along the median line. And in 1982, the United (ICJ), claiming that the Treaty violated the rights of both Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Portugal and the people of East Timor. In the end, the Map 2: Timor Sea Arrangement and disputed boundary area East Timor 1972 Indonesia-Australia Seabed boundary East Timor's Possible Entitlement Greater Sunrise 5 July 2001 Australia/East Timor Joint Petroleum Development Area (formerly "Area A") Laminaria- Corallina 1972 Indonesia-Australia Seabed boundary Bayu-Undan Median line La’o Hamutuk Bulletin Compilation 2002 Page 3 court was unable to rule on the case due PetroTimor: Ancient History? to Indonesia’s refusal to recognize the Many of the experts who have recently raised questions around Timor jurisdiction of the ICJ. Still, the case Sea oil developments were brought here by PetroTimor, a U.S.-based was significant in that it raised interna- company. PetroTimor was first involved in East Timor oil developments tional public awareness of the Timor more than thirty years ago – and their involvement now could have Gap Treaty,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Timor Sea Treaty Between the Government of Australia and the Government of East Timor, Done at Dili on 20 May 2002
    Timor Sea Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of East Timor, done at Dili on 20 May 2002. AMENDED NATIONAL INTEREST ANALYSIS Proposed binding treaty action 1. It is proposed to bring into force the Timor Sea Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of East Timor (the Treaty). Date of proposed binding treaty action 2. The proposed treaty action will enter into force on the day that both Parties have notified each other in writing that their respective requirements for entry into force have been complied with (Article 25). Upon entry into force the treaty will be taken to have effect and all of its provisions will apply and be taken to have applied on and from the date of signature, 20 May 2002. 3. The treaty was signed in Dili on 20 May 2002. 4. Upon entry into force of the Treaty, the Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of East Timor and the Government of Australia concerning Arrangements for Exploration and Exploitation of Petroleum in an Area of the Timor Sea Between East Timor and Australia, done at Dili on 20 May 2002, will cease to have effect. Date of tabling of the proposed treaty action 5. 25 June 2002. Summary of the purpose of the proposed treaty action and why it is in the national interest 6. The Timor Sea between northern Australia and East Timor contains proven petroleum resources in the seabed. Australia and East Timor have competing claims to the resources of this seabed.
    [Show full text]
  • Fieldwork in Timor-Leste
    Understanding Timor-Leste, on the ground and from afar (eds) and Bexley Nygaard-Christensen This ground-breaking exploration of research in Timor-Leste brings together veteran and early-career scholars who broadly Fieldwork in represent a range of fieldwork practices and challenges from colonial times to the present day. Here, they introduce readers to their experiences of conducting anthropological, historical and archival fieldwork in this new nation. The volume further Timor-Leste explores the contestations and deliberations that have been in Timor-Leste Fieldwork symptomatic of the country’s nation-building process, high- Understanding Social Change through Practice lighting how the preconceptions of development workers and researchers might be challenged on the ground. By making more explicable the processes of social and political change in Timor- Leste, the volume offers a critical contribution for those in the academic, policy and development communities working there. This is a must-have volume for scholars, other fieldworkers and policy-makers preparing to work in Timor-Leste, invaluable for those needing to understand the country from afar, and a fascinating read for anyone interested in the Timorese world. ‘Researchers and policymakers reading up on Timor Leste before heading to the field will find this handbook valuable. It is littered with captivating fieldwork stories. The heart-searching is at times searingly honest. Best of all, the book beautifully bridges the sometimes painful gap between Timorese researchers and foreign experts (who can be irritating know-alls). Academic anthropologists and historians will find much of value here, but the Timor policy community should appreciate it as well.’ – Gerry van Klinken, KITLV ‘This book is well worth reading by academics, activists and policy-makers in Timor-Leste and also those interested in the country’s development.
    [Show full text]
  • Official Committee Hansard
    COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Official Committee Hansard JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TREATIES Reference: Timor Sea treaties MONDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2002 CANBERRA BY AUTHORITY OF THE PARLIAMENT INTERNET The Proof and Official Hansard transcripts of Senate committee hearings, some House of Representatives committee hearings and some joint com- mittee hearings are available on the Internet. Some House of Representa- tives committees and some joint committees make available only Official Hansard transcripts. The Internet address is: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard To search the parliamentary database, go to: http://search.aph.gov.au JOINT COMMITTEE ON TREATIES Monday, 14 October 2002 Members: Ms Julie Bishop (Chair), Mr Wilkie (Deputy Chair), Senators Barnett, Bartlett, Kirk, Marshall, Mason, Stephens and Tchen and Mr Adams, Mr Bartlett, Mr Ciobo, Mr Martyn Evans, Mr Hunt, Mr King and Mr Bruce Scott Senators and members in attendance: Senators Barnett, Kirk, Marshall, Stephens and Tchen and Mr Adams, Ms Julie Bishop, Mr Ciobo, Mr Martyn Evans and Mr Wilkie Terms of reference for the inquiry: Timor Sea treaties WITNESSES ATWELL, Ms Julie-Anne, Senior Legal Officer, Office of International Law, Attorney- General’s Department...................................................................................................................................270 BUCKLEY, Mr Michael Thomas, Manager, Resources and Environment Tax Unit, Business Income Division, Department of the Treasury ...........................................................................................270
    [Show full text]
  • The New Timor Sea Treaty and Interim Arrangements for Joint Development of Petroleum Resources of the Timor Gap
    THE NEW TIMOR SEA TREATY AND INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS FOR JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES OF THE TIMOR GAP GILLIAN TRIGGS* AND DEAN BIALEK† [Under the Timor Sea Treaty of 2002, Australia and the newly independent East Timor have agreed upon joint development of the petroleum resources of the disputed Timor Gap. Until this treaty comes into force, an Exchange of Notes applies the terms of the 1989 Timor Gap Treaty, with Australia and East Timor as the implementing parties. Since gaining independence, East Timor has argued that under current principles of international law, it is entitled to a greater share of the Timor Sea’s oil and gas resources than is suggested by the boundaries of the Timor Sea Treaty’s Joint Petroleum Development Area (‘JPDA’). Principally, East Timor asserts that the western and eastern lines defining the JPDA are ill-founded at international law, a claim that has immediate implications for the joint venture partners in the Greater Sunrise fields that straddle the JPDA’s eastern boundary. This paper examines the legal background to the Timor Gap dispute, the agreements that have regulated resource exploitation of the area since 1989, the validity of the respective seabed rights of Indonesia, Australia and East Timor and finally, the impact of Australia’s recent withdrawal of maritime boundary disputes from the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.] CONTENTS I Introduction II Legal Background to the Timor Gap Dispute III The Exchange of Notes
    [Show full text]
  • The Historic 2018 Maritime Boundary Treaty Between Timor-Leste and Australia
    ISPSW Strategy Series: Focus on Defense and International Security Issue The Historic 2018 Maritime Boundary Treaty No. 573 between Timor-Leste and Australia Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich Sep 2018 The Historic 2018 Maritime Boundary Treaty between Timor-Leste and Australia Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich September 2018 Abstract The historic 2018 Maritime Boundary Treaty between Timor-Leste and Australia was the result of a new and unique conciliation process established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It demarcated for the first time maritime boundaries between the two nations and increased the revenue sharing ratio of the gas reserves in favour of Timor-Leste. The speedy and efficient UNCLOS conciliation process promises to become a role model for the settlement of other maritime claims and sovereignty issues. About ISPSW The Institute for Strategic, Political, Security and Economic Consultancy (ISPSW) is a private institute for research and consultancy. The ISPSW is an objective, task-oriented and politically non-partisan institute. In the increasingly complex international environment of globalized economic processes and worldwide political, ecological, social and cultural change, which occasions both major opportunities and risks, decision- makers in the economic and political arena depend more than ever before on the advice of highly qualified experts. ISPSW offers a range of services, including strategic analyses, security consultancy, executive coaching and intercultural competency. ISPSW publications examine a wide range of topics connected with politics, the economy, international relations, and security/ defense. ISPSW network experts have held – in some cases for decades – executive positions and dispose over a wide range of experience in their respective fields of expertise.
    [Show full text]
  • Seabed Boundary Delimitation 17
    3 6HDEHGERXQGDU\GHOLPLWDWLRQ 3.1 In the period between the announcement of the results of the ballot in which the population of East Timor voted for independence and its accession to independence, the media provided an acute reflection of the mixed emotions among the Australian public concerning its near neighbour. 3.2 On the one hand, media reports celebrated the role played by the Australian Defence Force and volunteers in assisting East Timor’s recovery from the outbreak of violence that followed the ballot result.1 On the other, the Australian Government was criticised for not acting sooner. These reports recalled the uneasiness felt by many Australians at the acceptance of Indonesia’s annexation of East Timor by successive Australian governments.2 3.3 Continued ill ease at the vulnerability of East Timor was reflected in expressions of concern to the Committee that Australia had failed to treat its northern neighbour fairly in treaty negotiations. In particular, these concerns focused upon the dimensions of the JPDA set out in the Treaty. 1 P. Cole-Smith, ‘World Owes Australia Thanks: US’, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 January 2000; C. Smith, ‘UN Chief Lauds Darwin’s Spirit’, Northern Territory News, 19 February 2000; G. Reid, ‘Queen Praises Our Brave Timor Troops’, Mercury, 30 March 2000. 2 L. Wright, ‘Intelligence Leaks Just Part of the Great Political Flux’, The Canberra Times, 2 January 2002; S. Burchill, ‘Apologists are Reviving History to Absolve Jakarta’, Age, 15 March 2000; A. Ramsey, ‘How Gough Whitlam’s Words Sealed the Tragedy’, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 September 2000. 16 REPORT 49: THE TIMOR SEA TREATY The JPDA 3.4 The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) acknowledged that the Treaty has been criticised by non-government organisations because of ‘the structure of the JPDA, [that is] where the boundaries exist …’3 3.5 The principal document on which criticisms of JPDA boundaries were based is an Opinion in the Matter of East Timor’s Maritime Boundaries by Vaughan Lowe, Christopher Carleton and Christopher Ward (the Lowe Opinion).
    [Show full text]
  • The Timor-Leste-Australia Maritime Boundary Treaty by Charles Scheiner, La’O Hamutuk
    The Timor-Leste-Australia Maritime Boundary Treaty By Charles Scheiner, La’o Hamutuk. 21 March 2018 Timor-Leste won a great victory on 6 March, when Australia and Timor-Leste signed the Treaty Establishing Their Maritime Boundaries in the Timor Sea (hereinafter, Boundary Treaty). After decades of occupation and struggle, and tens of billions of dollars in extracted petroleum, the Australian government finally accepted its northern neighbor’s sovereign right to a border based on current international law. This article will examine the provisions and implications of that agreement, its historical significance, and what is likely to happen as a result of the precedent-setting Boundary Treaty. La’o Hamutuk has actively advocated for a fair maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Australia since we were founded in 2000, 1 and we campaigned against prior agreements between Australia and Timor-Leste (signed in 2002, 2003 and 2006, all to be voided by the Boundary Treaty). However, this article does not discuss the long history of campaigning, manipulation, duplicity and negotiation which led up to the recent agreement. That fascinating story is told in many publications and on our web site; 2 today we are looking at the present and the future. Australia has finally recognized Timor-Leste’s national sovereignty. Although Timor-Leste formally restored its independence in May 2002, Australia has long prevented Timor- Leste from settling their common boundary by withdrawing from international dispute resolution mechanisms; deferring or banning boundary discussions in every interim petroleum-sharing treaty; and insisting on outdated, self-serving, “continental shelf” principles based on 75-year-old practices and the illegal Indonesian occupation.
    [Show full text]
  • Joint Development of Offshore Oil and Gas Resources in the Arctic Ocean Region and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
    the LAW of the sea 1.4 (2017) 1–105 brill.com/brp Joint Development of Offshore Oil and Gas Resources in the Arctic Ocean Region and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea John Abrahamson Partner, Sheltons-SITTI [email protected] Abstract The Arctic Ocean region presents certain challenges to peaceful cooperation between states, particularly in the locations where ocean boundaries and ownership of the related resources are disputed. The establishment of Joint Development Zones (JDZs) for the development of offshore oil and gas resources in the Arctic Ocean can facili- tate international cooperation over resource development where there are competing claims. These claims are generally based on continental shelf jurisdiction under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). There are several alternative dispute resolution measures available under UNCLOS; however, a number of states have preferred to adopt a JDZ as an interim measure to allow devel- opment. The significance of JDZs for the Arctic Ocean region is that they can allow peaceful cooperation and development where the specific circumstances of Arctic claims make it difficult for the respective states to agree on the maritime boundary. Keywords international law – sea boundaries – Arctic – joint development – upstream oil and gas 1 Introduction Joint Development Zones (JDZs) are a means where states agree to share resources of a disputed region. JDZs are of special interest in relation to the Arctic Ocean region owing to the number of unresolved maritime boundaries © John Abrahamson, 2018 | doi:10.1163/24519359-12340004 Downloaded from Brill.com10/11/2021 05:14:39AM via free access 2 Abrahamson in the region, and the recent extension of maritime claims by Arctic states.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Claims to the Timor Sea's Petroleum Resources
    AUSTRALIAN CLAIMS TO THE TIMOR SEA’S PETROLEUM RESOURCES: CLEVER, CUNNING, OR CRIMINAL? MADELEINE J SMITH* I INTRODUCTION On 12 January 2006 Australia and East Timor signed the Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea between Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.1 The signing of CMATS marked the conclusion of over six years of negotiations between the two states over the rights to petroleum resources in the Timor Sea. However, the origin of the dispute over these resources pre-dates the existence of the independent State of East Timor. Contention over the rights to the petroleum resources under the Timor Sea fi rst emerged in the 1950s, following Australia’s offi cial claim to thereto in 1953.2 This article will discuss the international legal dispute that ensued, with a view to assessing the adequacy of the fi nal resolution of the matter, marked by the conclusion of the CMATS. The approach taken will be to consider the progression of the dispute within the context of the expectations of the interested states — Australia, East Timor and Indonesia — relative to their respective entitlements under international law. The discussion will centre upon the negotiation and outcome of the four principal agreements regulating resource exploitation in the disputed area since 1989: the Agreement Establishing Certain Seabed Boundaries in the Area of the Timor and Arafura Seas between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, signed by Australia and Indonesia in October 1972;3 the Treaty on the Zone of Cooperation in an Area between the Indonesian Province of East Timor and Northern Australia, signed by Australia and Indonesia in December 1989;4 the Timor Sea Treaty between the Government of East Timor and the Government of Australia, signed in May 2002;5 and CMATS, signed by Australia and East Timor in January 2006.6 These agreements, and other legal developments relevant to the dispute, will be * BA/LLB (H1) Monash University, Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • East Timor Inquiry: Canberra, 11 November 1999
    The Timor Gap, 1972-2017 Robert J. King 2 March 2017 The Timor Gap, 1972-2017 Robert J. King Contents Introduction page 4 The creation of the Timor Gap 5 Why Indonesia agreed to a compromise line in 1972 9 Negotiations with Portugal to close the Timor Gap, 1970-1974 12 Australian petroleum exploration in and off Timor 18 Negotiations with Indonesia on the Timor Gap 20 The Timor Gap (Zone of Cooperation) Treaty 28 Decision of the International Court of Justice 32 1997 Delimitation Treaty 32 East Timor during the period of UNTAET 33 Bayu-Undan Liquids Recovery and Gas Recycle Project 34 Indonesia's interest subsequent to its renunciation of sovereignty 37 Position of the East Timorese leading up to independence 39 Negotiations with UNTAET/ETTA 42 International Law on the resolution of maritime boundary disputes 43 Petrotimor 45 The July 2001 Interim Agreement 46 Australia’s rejection of international arbitration 47 The 2002 Timor Sea Treaty 48 Negotiations on a unitisation agreement for Greater Sunrise 50 The International Unitisation Agreement (IUA) 54 Negotiations on maritime boundaries, 2003-2006 55 Towards a ‘Creative Solution’ 58 The Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea 64 Non-implementation of the CMATS Treaty, 2007-2013 68 Arbitration on CMATS 73 Recommencement of negotiations on the maritime boundary 76 Toward a final settlement of Australia’s maritime borders 88 3 Introduction The 23 February 2013 was a significant date for Australia's relationship with 1 Timor-Leste. A condition of the Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS) Treaty was that either country could terminate it if by then there was still no jointly approved development plan for the Greater Sunrise gas project.
    [Show full text]
  • The Timor Sea Treaties
    Australian Opening Statement – break Conciliation Commission (29 Aug 16) The Timor Sea treaties • Timor Sea Treaty (2002) • Agreement relating to the Unitisation of the Sunrise and Troubadour Fields (2003) • Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (2006) Australian Opening Statement – Conciliation Commission (29 Aug 16) Australian Opening Statement – 1. Joint Petroleum Development Area Conciliation Commission (29 Aug 16) Australian Opening Statement – 2. JPDA with petroleum deposits Conciliation Commission (29 Aug 16) Australian Opening Statement – 3. Greater Sunrise: 20.1% JPDA, 79.9% Australia Conciliation Commission (29 Aug 16) …the Treaty, in the end, is not just about the practical business of revenue sharing: the Treaty establishes East Timor’s relationship with its partners and the world. First, the Treaty is a hallmark of East Timor’s independence; secondly, it embodies a commitment to an attractive and stable investment climate; and thirdly, it is an undertaking by East Timor to work together in partnership and friendship with Australia. It is well known that the negotiations between East Timor and Australia on the Treaty were difficult. Negotiations always are; but the outcome was an enormous success, and one which makes our relationship with Australia all the more solid. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, 17 June 2002 Australian Opening Statement – Conciliation Commission (29 Aug 16) Australian Opening Statement – break Conciliation Commission (29 Aug 16) Timor-Leste proposed a creative solution which may involve a resource sharing arrangement in lieu of hastily attempting to resolve the complex and sensitive issues involved in agreeing to a permanent maritime boundary. …confident that we are on the brink of securing an agreement to handle for a long period our competing claims in the Timor Sea and in turn unlock the enormous hydrocarbon potential of this region.
    [Show full text]
  • Official Committee Hansard
    COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Official Committee Hansard JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TREATIES Reference: Timor Sea treaties TUESDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2002 CANBERRA BY AUTHORITY OF THE PARLIAMENT INTERNET The Proof and Official Hansard transcripts of Senate committee hearings, some House of Representatives committee hearings and some joint com- mittee hearings are available on the Internet. Some House of Representa- tives committees and some joint committees make available only Official Hansard transcripts. The Internet address is: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard To search the parliamentary database, go to: http://search.aph.gov.au JOINT COMMITTEE ON TREATIES Tuesday, 8 October 2002 Members: Ms Julie Bishop (Chair), Mr Wilkie (Deputy Chair), Senators Barnett, Bartlett, Kirk, Marshall, Mason, Stephens and Tchen and Mr Adams, Mr Bartlett, Mr Ciobo, Mr Martyn Evans, Mr Hunt, Mr King and Mr Bruce Scott Senators and members in attendance: Senators Kirk, Marshall, Mason, Stephens and Tchen and Ms Julie Bishop and Mr Wilkie Terms of reference for the inquiry: Timor Sea treaties WITNESSES ATWELL, Ms Julie-Anne Maree, Senior Legal Officer, Office of International Law, Attorney- General’s Department.................................................................................................................................. 225 BARTLEY, Mr Scott William, Manager, Resource and Environment Tax Unit, Business Income Division, Department of the Treasury ........................................................................................................ 225
    [Show full text]