15ALicensing of exempt pipelines

15A Licensing of exempt pipelines (1) The Minister may, by notice in writing served on the owner or operator of a pipeline: (a) referred to in section 4(1)(b); or (b) specified in a notice under section 4(2), direct the owner or operator to apply for the grant of a licence under this section in respect of the pipeline. Energy Pipelines Act 1981 19 (2) An application for the grant of a licence under this section shall be: (a) made in a form and manner approved by the Minister; and (b) accompanied by such particulars as the Minister may require. (3) The Minister shall, on receiving an application for the grant of a licence under this section: (a) grant the licence; or (b) require the applicant to provide such further particulars as the Minister may require and, on receiving such particulars, grant the licence. (4) Where the Minister grants a licence under subsection (3), the Minister shall cause to be published in the Gazette a notice that the licence has been granted. (5) Where under subsection (1) a notice is served on the owner or operator of a pipeline, section 4(1)(b) or the notice under section 4(2), as the case may be, shall cease to apply to and in relation to the pipeline at the expiration of 6 months, or such longer period as the Minister may approve, after the date of the service of the notice. (6) A pipeline referred to in subsection (5) shall not be operated after the expiration of the period referred to in that subsection unless: (a) a licence has been granted under this section in respect of that pipeline; and (b) the operation of the pipeline is in accordance with this Act. (7) Notwithstanding section 30, a licence fee is not payable under that section in respect of the first year of the term of a licence granted under this section.