Dili, Sept. 28, 2026 (Lusa) - The state-owned oil company Timor GAP has signed a contract with the French group Cegelec for technical support and training to develop the Centre of Excellence in Oil and Gas, Science and Technology, the Government said on Monday.
The Centre of Excellence in Oil and Gas, Science and Technology will be based at the Suai Support Base on Timor-Leste's southern coast, and Timor GAP expects to establish it over 36 months.
The centre aims to «strengthen specialised training for Timorese workers and develop technical skills within the country tailored to the needs of the energy sector and other industrial activities», according to a statement from the Timorese government.
«The infrastructure is expected to include specialised training facilities, with internationally recognised programmes and learning systems aligned with industry standards», the government emphasised.
Under the agreement, Timor GAP will design and construct the infrastructure and associated equipment, whilst Cegelec will provide technical support in preparing the training programmes in accordance with the international organisation that sets standards for training, qualifications and safety for workers in the energy sector.
«The development of these skills goes hand in hand with the technical preparation of projects aimed at harnessing Timor-Leste's natural gas resources and creating the necessary infrastructure to connect them to the south coast,» added the Government.
The Timorese authorities are developing the Tasi Mane project in the south of the country, which involves building infrastructure to develop the oil industry and includes a logistics base, a refinery and a liquefied natural gas plant.
To develop the Tasi Mane project, the Timorese authorities are committed to finding a solution that enables the development of the Greater Sunrise field with a direct link to Timor-Leste.
The Timorese authorities regard connecting the gas pipeline to southern Timor-Leste as strategic for the country's economic growth.
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