In this exclusive interview, The Energy Circle by IN-VR spoke with Najib Gharib, Managing Director of SLB Australasia, about the company’s 24-year legacy in Timor-Leste, its strategic alliances with national and international partners, and its vision to drive innovation, sustainability, and local talent development across the country’s growing energy sector.
Q1. As one of the leading international service providers now engaged in Timor-Leste, what message would you like to share with government, local industry, and international investors about SLB’s long-term vision for the country?
A: SLB is privileged to support Timor-Leste as a trusted partner to its energy sector and a global technology leader committed to driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. For over 24 years, we have proudly contributed to Timor-Leste’s energy journey—from Bayu-Undan and Kitan to diverse exploration activities—delivering world-class technologies and expertise to unlock resources safely and sustainably. Our commitment extends beyond operations. We are investing in Timorese talent, developing local capabilities, and fostering opportunities that create lasting value for the nation and its people. As Timor-Leste strengthens its role in the regional and global energy landscape, SLB remains fully committed to collaborating with the government, local industry, E&P companies, and international investors. Through innovation, partnership, and trust, we aim to ensure that energy development benefits are inclusive, sustainable, and enduring for future generations.
Q2. How does SLB approach building long-term relationships with governments, NOCs, and local communities?
A: At SLB, we believe that building long-term, trust-based relationships with governments, NOCs, and local communities is fundamental to our success. Our approach is centered around collaboration, transparency, and delivering tangible value. We work closely with our partners to align our technological solutions with their national development objectives, ensuring that our innovations contribute to sustainable growth.
We also work through our Exploration Data (EXD) team, to support Asia Pacific in driving subsurface leadership through multiclient 2D/3D seismic acquisition (towed-streamer and OBN), continuous evergreening of our global data library, and advanced imaging powered by ML/AI. Through our Energy Gateway solutions, we combine national-scale data reprocessing with integrated repositories to help governments promote licensing rounds and attract international investment.
We are deeply committed to investing in local capacity building—whether through training programs, sourcing locally, or creating employment opportunities—so that our presence benefits the community at large. Transparency and compliance are core to our operations; we adhere strictly to local laws and ethical standards to foster trust.
Q3. How is SLB planning to collaborate with Timorese universities, training institutions, or local companies to ensure knowledge transfer and build a sustainable talent pipeline?
A: For over five years, SLB has been committed to building a sustainable talent pipeline in Timor-Leste, and this is just the beginning.
We have tripled our Timorese workforce in the past two years and appointed a national representative, placing local leadership at the core of our operations. In higher education, we collaborate with DIT (Dili Institute of Technology), UNTL (Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e), and IPG (Instituto do Petróleo e Geologia), donating software worth over $2M annually and providing hardware and workstations to enhance learning and research. In addition, our SEED program fosters innovation, supporting 3D printing and student-led train-the-trainer initiatives. Moving forward, we plan to expand these efforts through additional scholarships, SPE sponsorships, and deeper partnerships with local companies and institutions — ensuring knowledge transfer today while empowering the next generation to lead Timor-Leste’s energy future.
Q4. SLB recently entered into a strategic alliance with Finder Energy to accelerate the development of the Kuda Tasi and Jahal oilfields in Timor-Leste. Can you share more about SLB’s role in this partnership and why Timor-Leste is a strategic focus for the company?
A: At SLB, our mission is to help E&P players and countries deliver projects at the lowest cost and carbon footprint by leveraging advanced technology, integration capabilities, and flexible business models.
When we partner with customers, their challenges become ours. Drawing on decades of subsea and well construction expertise, we collaborate to reduce risk, optimize designs, streamline processes, and accelerate time to first production while minimizing risks & costs.
Our strategic development alliance with Finder Energy underscores this approach. Together, we are fast-tracking the development of the Kuda Tasi and Jahal oilfields in Timor-Leste. SLB has mobilized technical and project management teams and launched an Integrated Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) program, expected to accelerate project delivery by 12 months—a major milestone toward first oil.
Timor-Leste’s resource potential and growing energy sector make it a strategic focus for SLB as we work to unlock energy sustainably and efficiently.
Q5. Beyond technology, how is SLB embedding sustainability into its everyday operations and partnerships?
A: At SLB, our sustainability framework—focused on climate, people, and nature—integrates sustainability into every aspect of our operations.
On climate, we’ve reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% since 2019, with nearly 40% of our facilities now powered by renewable energy.
For people, our safety-first culture protects our teams worldwide, while increasing diversity—women now hold 25% of salaried roles—enhances innovation and strengthens the communities where we live and work.
On nature, our focus on circularity has diverted over 200,000 tons of material from landfills, and improved water stewardship has reduced freshwater use by 9%, safeguarding vital resources for future generations.
Through global partnerships and our Sustainability Impact Awards, we turn these commitments into measurable actions—delivering tangible results today while building a more sustainable energy future.
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