88Granting of offer document for work‑bid petroleum exploration permit

88 Granting of offer document for work‑bid petroleum exploration permit

(a) the Minister publishes a notice under section 86(1) inviting applications for the grant of a petroleum exploration permit; and

(b) at the end of the period specified in the notice, 2 or more applications have been made under section 86 for the grant of a petroleum exploration permit over the same block or blocks.

(2) The Minister may give an offer document under section 87 to whichever applicant, in the Minister's opinion, is most deserving of the grant of the petroleum exploration permit.

(3) In determining which of the applicants is most deserving of the grant of the petroleum exploration permit, the Minister—

(a) must have regard to criteria made publicly available by the Minister; and

(b) may rank the applications in accordance with section 89.