Decree-Law No. 18/2020 regulating Onshore Oil Operations.

This Decree-Law aims to regulate oil operations relating to onshore petroleum resources, pursuant to article 31 of Petroleum Activities Law No. 13/2005 of 2 September. This Decree-Law has the following objectives: a) Ensure maximum recovery of Timor-Leste's Petroleum Resources; b) Prevent waste and pollution; c) Enforce the use of safe and effective exploration and exploitation practices; d) Enable the effective monitoring, supervision and inspection of petroleum operations; e) Prevent the unlawful violation of the rights of affected persons; and f) Contribute to achieving Timor-Leste's overall development objectives and priorities.
It includes the following related sectors: transport, processing and storage of crude oil and natural gas, with a direct impact on any deposits, providing for area management and the the grid system, prospecting, access and percolation use authorizations, exploration operations, drilling, restoration, well management and operational reporting, development and production, facilities, pipelines and transport, third party access to facilities, cessation of petroleum operations and decommissioning, petroleum contracts, Timor Gap's participation in petroleum operations, measurement, petroleum evaluation, management systems, health and safety, environmental provisions, local content, procurement of goods and services, land occupation and compensation for damages and risk of loss and obligation to take out and maintain insurance in force, and setting the sanctioning regime and fees.