# Woodside Energy's $5B LNG Bet in Timor-Leste: What You Need to Know

Australian energy giant Woodside just signed a major deal with Timor-Leste to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility from scratch. Here's the breakdown:

**The Big Picture**
Woodside and Timor-Leste's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources are joining forces to develop the Greater Sunrise gas fields into a Timor-based LNG hub. Think of it as turning raw natural gas into a product that can be shipped globally.

**Key Numbers**
- Production target: ~5 million tonnes of LNG per year (for context, that's roughly equivalent to powering millions of households)
- First LNG delivery: 2032-2035 (so we're talking 7-10 years out)
- Scope: greenfield LNG plant + domestic gas facility + helium extraction unit

**Why It Matters**
This isn't just energy infrastructure—it's geopolitics. The deal includes parallel negotiations on fiscal terms, regulatory frameworks, and legal structures between the Sunrise Joint Venture, Timor-Leste, and Australia. Translation: lots of moving parts, but the governments are aligned.

**The Market View**
Woodside's stock ticked up 0.12% to AUD $25.11 on the ASX after the announcement. Not a massive pop, but steady accumulation suggests institutional confidence in the project's viability.

**Bottom Line**
This is a long-term play. The maturation phase runs in parallel with ongoing negotiations, so expect updates over the next few years. For energy investors and those tracking LNG supply dynamics, this is one to watch—especially if you're bullish on Asia-Pacific energy demand.