(1)  The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette , declare that a block specified in the notice (not being a block in respect of which a permit, lease, or licence is in force or over or in which there is a pipeline) shall not be the subject of a permit, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority and that a pipeline licence shall not be granted in respect of a pipeline over or in that block.

(2)  While a declaration under subsection (1) remains in force in respect of a block, a permit, lease, licence, special prospecting authority, or access authority shall not be granted in respect of that block and a pipeline licence shall not be granted in respect of a pipeline over or in that block.