57SAuthorisation does not give exclusive rights

57S Authorisation does not give exclusive rights

(1) The Minister may grant a special drilling authorisation in respect of an area, or any part of an area, that is already the subject of another special drilling authorisation.

(2) The Minister must not grant a special drilling authorisation in respect of an area, or any part of an area, that is already the subject of another special drilling authorisation unless—

(a) the Minister has taken into account the work program of the current holder of the special drilling authorisation; and

(b) the Minister is satisfied that the geothermal energy operation proposed to be carried out under the authorisation will not be detrimental to, or unduly interfere with, any current or proposed future geothermal energy operation of the current holder of the special drilling authorisation; and

(c) the current holder of the special drilling authorisation has consented in writing to the issue of another special drilling authorisation in respect of that part of the area.

(3) The Minister may grant an exploration permit, a retention lease or an extraction licence in respect of an area, or any part of an area, that is already the subject of a special drilling authorisation.

S. 57T inserted by No. 64/2012 s. 4.