PETROLEUM AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RESOURCES ACT 1967 - SECT 43CA
PETROLEUM AND GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RESOURCES ACT 1967 - SECT 43CA
43CA . More than one drilling reservation application for same block or blocks
(1) This section
applies if —
(a) 2 or
more applications are made under section 43A for the grant of a petroleum
drilling reservation for the same block or blocks; or
(b) 2 or
more applications are made under section 43A for the grant of a geothermal
drilling reservation for the same block or blocks.
(2) The Minister may
grant the drilling reservation to whichever applicant, in the Minister’s
opinion, is most deserving of the grant of the drilling reservation, having
regard to criteria made publicly available by the Minister.
(3) For the purposes
of subsection (2), the Minister may rank the applicants in the order in which
they are deserving of the grant, the most deserving applicant being ranked
highest.
(4) The Minister may
exclude from the ranking any applicant that, in the Minister’s opinion,
is not deserving of the grant of the drilling reservation.
(5) If the Minister is
of the opinion that, after considering the information accompanying the
applications, 2 or more of the applicants are equally deserving of the grant
of the drilling reservation, the Minister may, by written notice served on
each of those applicants, invite them to give to the Minister, within the
period stated in the notice, particulars of the applicant’s proposals
for additional work and expenditure in respect of the block or blocks
specified in the application, being particulars that the Minister considers to
be relevant in determining which of the applicants is most deserving of the
grant of the drilling reservation.
(6) If any particulars
are given by applicants to the Minister in accordance with the invitations
contained in the notices served under subsection (5), the Minister shall have
regard to the particulars in determining which of the applicants is most
deserving of the grant of the drilling reservation.
[Section 43CA inserted: No. 42 of 2010 s. 20.]