23Grant or refusal of permit in relation to application

#### 23 Grant or refusal of permit in relation to application 23 Grant or refusal of permit in relation to application > > (1) Where an application has been made under section 21, the Minister may— > > > > > (a) by instrument in writing served on the applicant, inform the applicant that the Minister is prepared to grant to the applicant a permit in respect of the block or blocks specified in the instrument, or > > > > > (b) refuse to grant a permit to the applicant. > > > (2) An instrument under subsection (1) shall contain— > > > > > (a) a summary of the conditions subject to which the permit is to be granted, and > > > > > (b) a statement to the effect that the application will lapse if the applicant does not make a request under subsection (3) in respect of the grant of the permit. > > > (3) An applicant on whom there has been served an instrument under subsection (1) may, within a period of 1 month after the date of service of the instrument on the applicant, or within such further period, not exceeding 1 month, as the Minister, on application in writing served on the Minister before the expiration of the firstmentioned period of 1 month, allows, by instrument in writing served on the Minister, request the Minister to grant to the applicant the permit referred to in the firstmentioned instrument. > > > (4) Where an applicant on whom there has been served an instrument under subsection (1) has made a request under subsection (3) within the period applicable under subsection (3), the Minister shall grant to the applicant an exploration permit for petroleum in respect of the block or blocks specified in the instrument. > > > (5) Where an applicant on whom there has been served an instrument under subsection (1) has not made a request under subsection (3) within the period applicable under subsection (3), the application lapses upon the expiration of that period. > > **s 23:** Am 1991 No 85, Sch 2 (6).