275Reservation of blocks

275 Reservation of blocks

(1) If the following conditions are satisfied in relation to a particular block—

(a) there is no petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease or petroleum production licence over the block;

(b) there is no place in the block that is an infrastructure licence area;

(c) there is no pipeline over or in the block;

(d) there are no pending applications for the grant of a petroleum exploration permit or petroleum production licence over the block;

(e) there are no pending applications for the grant of an infrastructure licence relating to a place in the block;

(f) there are no pending applications for the grant of a pipeline licence relating to a pipeline or proposed pipeline over or in the block—

the Minister may, by notice published in the Government Gazette, declare that—

(g) the block is not to be the subject of a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence, petroleum special prospecting authority or petroleum access authority; and

(h) an infrastructure licence is not to be granted in relation to a place within the block; and

(i) a pipeline licence is not to be granted in relation to a pipeline over or in the block.

(2) If a declaration under subsection (1) is in force in relation to a block—

(a) a petroleum exploration permit, petroleum retention lease, petroleum production licence, petroleum special prospecting authority or petroleum access authority must not be granted over that block; and

(b) an infrastructure licence must not be granted in relation to a place within that block; and

(c) a pipeline licence must not be granted in relation to a pipeline over or in that block.

(3) Subsection (2) has effect despite any other provision of this Act.