• Summary

This legal document contains the Timor Sea Treaty between Australia and Timor-Leste, signed on 20 May 2002.

This Treaty provides definitions, regulations, and other legal provisions regarding the exploration, exploitation, and management of petroleum resources in an area of seabed between Australia and East Timor.

The Treaty also establishes the Australia-East Timor Joint Commission to monitor the mentioned petroleum resources-related activities in a Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA). The JPDA is located in the Timor Sea, whose specific coordinates are listed in Annex A of the Treaty.

The specific provisions regarding the Dispute resolution procedure are stated in Annex B of the Treaty.

The Treaty shall be valid for 30 years or until Australia and Timor Leste conclude a Treaty delimiting their Continental Shelf boundary (whichever comes first).  Petroleum activities of corporations and entities under the term of this Treaty shall continue “even if the Treaty is no longer in force under conditions equivalent to those in place under the Treaty.”

• Document: Timor Sea Treaty between Australia and Timor-Leste 20 May 2002
• Related Document:
  • Exchange of Notes constituting an Agreement between Australia and Timor-Leste concerning Arrangements for Exploration and Exploitation of Petroleum in an Area of the Timor Sea between Australia And East Timor, 20 May 2002
  • MoU between the Government of the Democratic Republic of East Timor and the Government of Australia concerning an International Unitization Agreement for the Greater Sunrise field Dili, 20 May 2002