Minister Monteiro is an experienced executive and energy professional, with more than 20 years’ experience in the field, and has built a successful business development in the petroleum and mining sector in Timor-Leste. After graduating with master’s degree in Geology from the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 2003, he was admitted as Candidate for PhD in Petroleum Geology at Australia School of Petroleum in Adelaide in 2007. 

Minister Monteiro was the President & CEO of Timor-Leste’s national oil company, TIMOR GAP, E.P. since the company’s formation in 2011 to July 2020, and the Commissioner of Timor-Leste in the Sunrise Commission and a Commissioner of Timor-Leste in the Joint Commission of the JPDA, from July 2007 to July 2018.

His past working experiences include adviser to the former President of the Republic, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão from 2003-2007, and adviser to the former Secretary of State for Natural Resources (Petroleum and Mineral Resources) from 2007 to 2011. During these periods, Minister Monteiro was appointed to represent the President of the Republic in the Petroleum Fund Consultative Council. 

In July 2023, Minister Monteiro was appointed by the Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão as the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the IX Constitutional Government. 

Minister Monteiro, in his previous roles, has been actively involved in promoting the development of the south coast through the Tasi Mane project. This project includes the creation of downstream petroleum infrastructure, securing pipelines, LNG plant development, refinery and petrochemical facilities. This vision has now been extended to the mining sector and the broader portfolio that Minister Monteiro currently oversees. 

Minister Monteiro has also held several important positions such as Board Member in the Investment Advisory Board of Petroleum Fund from 2012-2014, Board Member of the ANP from 2008-2011, Chairman and Co-Chairman of various bilateral Working groups in the petroleum sectors.