25ARequirement to reduce exploration permit area

25A Requirement to reduce exploration permit area (1) The Minister may, as part of the Minister's decision to renew an exploration permit, reduce the number of blocks in respect of which the permit is in force to a number specified by the Minister. (2) For subsection (1), the Minister must take into account: (a) the extent to which the permittee is: (i) actively undertaking exploration activities in the exploration permit area; and (ii) complying with the conditions of the exploration permit; and

Petroleum Act 1984 31 (b) the views of the permittee about the proposed reduction. (3) The Minister must: (a) include information about a proposal to act under this section in the notice given to the permittee under section 25; and (b) if the Minister is proposing to act under this section, include in the notice an invitation to the permittee to make a submission within a period specified in the notice. (4) The Minister may, on the basis of a request made by the permittee within the period specified under subsection (3)(b), defer a reduction for a period determined or approved by the Minister. (5) If the permittee will not accept a reduction in the number of blocks in respect of which the permit is in force as provided by this section, the Minister may cancel the renewal of the exploration permit.