95Grant of cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—2 or more applications

95 Grant of cash‑bid petroleum exploration permit—2 or more applications

(a) the Minister publishes a notice under section 93(1) inviting applications for the grant of a petroleum exploration permit over a block or blocks; and

(b) at the end of the period specified in the notice, 2 or more applications have been made under section 93 in relation to the block or blocks.

| 2 | (a) 2 or more applications remain unrejected; and<br>(b) the amounts specified in the applications under section 93(6)(b) are equal | one of those applicants. | | 3 | (a) 2 or more applications remain unrejected; and<br>(b) the amounts specified in the applications under section 93(6)(b) are not equal; and<br>(c) the amount specified in one of the applications is higher than the amount or amounts specified in the remaining application or applications | whichever of those applicants specified the highest amount. | | 4 | (a) 3 or more applications remain unrejected; and<br>(b) 2 or more of the amounts specified in the applications under section 93(6)(b) are—<br>(i) equal; and<br>(ii) higher than the amount or amounts specified in the remaining application or applications | one of the applicants who specified the equal highest amount. |

(4) An offer document given to an applicant must tell the applicant that the Minister is prepared to grant the applicant a petroleum exploration permit over the block or blocks.

1 Section 255 sets out additional requirements for offer documents (for example, a requirement that an offer document must contain a summary of conditions).

2 If an applicant breaches a requirement under section 254 to provide further information, the Minister may refuse to give the applicant an offer document—see section 254(3).

(6) If the Minister does not give an offer document to an applicant, the Minister must, by written notice given to the applicant, inform the applicant that the application was unsuccessful.