Detailed analysis of the first comprehensive seismic survey in the Timor Sea maritime area revealed the presence of potential petroleum structures over the entire area with a low geological risk.

“There are also indications of potentially large hydrocarbon resources in limestone reservoirs, similar to what is seen in the Middle East,” the Timorese government's geological adviser Geir Ytreland said.

“The petroleum geology of Timor-Leste’s undisputed area is almost identical to that which is found on the Australian north-west shelf.”

The analysis followed processing of 6,600km of data collected by the BGP-GGS consortium at the start of this year.

The 30,000 square kilometre survey covered the area from East Timor's southern coastline to the northern edge of the Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA) managed with Australia.

Final data processing could be completed next month and maps should be released in August, the East Timorese government said.

Some companies have prepurchased the survey data, indicating strong interest in the area, Ytreland said.

An East Timorese roadshow in Houston, London and Singapore later this year will exhibit the development potential of the area and its plans to release blocks in the JPDA.