77Conditions of declared petroleum exploration permits—approval of key petroleum operations

77 Conditions of declared petroleum exploration permits—approval of key petroleum operations

(1) A declared petroleum exploration permit is subject to the condition that the permittee will not carry on key petroleum operations under the permit unless the Minister has approved the operations under section 78.

(2) Despite section 74(2), the condition mentioned in subsection (1) does not need to be specified in the permit.

(3) If, under section 78, the Minister approves the carrying on of one or more key petroleum operations under a declared petroleum exploration permit, the Minister may, by written notice given to the permittee, vary the permit by imposing one or more conditions to which the permit is subject.

(4) A variation of a declared petroleum exploration permit under subsection (3) takes effect on the day on which notice of the variation is given to the permittee.

(5) A condition imposed under subsection (3) may require the permittee to ensure that—

made in the permit area by any person engaged or concerned in operations authorised by the permit are made in a manner, and to a standard, that will facilitate the plugging or closing off of the wells in a way that restores or maintains the suitability of a part of a geological formation for the permanent storage of greenhouse gas substances.

(a) a declared petroleum exploration permit is subject to a condition; and

the Minister may, by written notice given to the permittee, vary or revoke the condition.

(8) A variation of a declared petroleum exploration permit under subsection (7) takes effect on the day on which notice of the variation is given to the permittee.

(9) Subsection (7) does not limit section 260.

S. 77A inserted by No. 16/2018 s. 9.