(1)  A lessee may, from time to time, make an application to the Minister for renewal of the lease.

(2)  An application for the renewal of a lease –

(a) shall be in accordance with an approved form; and

(b) subject to subsection (3) , shall be made in an approved manner not less than 6 months or more than 12 months before the day on which the lease ceases to be in force; and

(c) shall be accompanied by particulars of –

(i) the proposals of the applicant for work and expenditure in respect of the lease area; and

(ii) particulars of the commercial viability of recovery of petroleum from the lease at the time of the application and particulars of the possible future commercial viability of recovery of petroleum from the lease area; and

(d) shall be accompanied by a fee of $600.

(3)  The Minister may, for reasons that the Minister thinks sufficient, receive an application for the renewal of the lease less than 6 months before, but not in any case after, the day on which the lease ceases to be in force.

(4)  Where a lessee makes an application for the renewal of a lease, the Minister may, at any time, by instrument in writing served on the lessee, require the lessee to furnish, within the time specified in the instrument, further information in writing in connection with the application.