89Ranking of applications for work-bid petroleum exploration permit

89 Ranking of applications for work-bid petroleum exploration permit

(1) For the purposes of section 88, the Minister may rank the applicants for a petroleum exploration permit in the order in which, in the Minister's opinion, they are deserving of the grant of the petroleum exploration permit, with the most deserving applicant being ranked highest.

(2) The Minister may exclude from the ranking any applicant who, in the Minister's opinion, is not deserving of the grant of the petroleum exploration permit.

(3) If the Minister—

(a) has considered the information accompanying the applications; and

(b) is of the opinion that 2 or more of the applicants are equally deserving of the grant of the petroleum exploration permit—

the Minister may, by written notice given to each of those applicants, invite them to give the Minister details (the work/expenditure details) of their proposals for additional work and expenditure in relation to the block or blocks concerned.

(4) A notice under subsection (3) must—

(a) specify the kinds of work/expenditure details that the Minister considers to be relevant in determining which of the applicants is most deserving of the grant of the petroleum exploration permit; and

(b) specify the period within which the work/expenditure details must be given to the Minister.

(5) If an applicant gives work/expenditure details to the Minister, and those details are—

(a) of a kind specified in the notice; and

(b) given within the period specified in the notice—

the Minister must have regard to the details in determining which of the applicants is most deserving of the grant of the petroleum exploration permit.

See also section 92, which deals with the effect of the withdrawal or lapse of an application.