245Consultation—approval of grant of petroleum access authority in adjoining offshore area

#### 245 Consultation—approval of grant of petroleum access authority in adjoining offshore area Scope (1) This section applies if: (a) an application for a petroleum access authority has been made under section 242 in relation to an area (the application area) that is part of an adjoining offshore area; and (b) the application area is, to any extent, the subject of a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence or petroleum special prospecting authority; and (c) the applicant is not the registered holder of the petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence or petroleum special prospecting authority; and (d) the registered holder of the petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence or petroleum special prospecting authority has not given written consent to the grant of the petroleum access authority. Consultation (2) Before approving the grant of the petroleum access authority, the Titles Administrator must: (a) by written notice given to the registered holder of the petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence or petroleum special prospecting authority, give at least 30 days notice of the Titles Administrator’s intention to approve the grant of the petroleum access authority; and (b) give a copy of the notice to such other persons (if any) as the Titles Administrator thinks fit. (3) The notice must: (a) set out details of the petroleum access authority that is proposed to be granted; and (b) invite a person to whom the notice, or a copy of the notice, has been given to make a written submission to the Titles Administrator about the proposal; and (c) specify a time limit for making that submission. (4) In deciding whether to approve the grant of the petroleum access authority, the Titles Administrator must take into account any submissions made in accordance with the notice.