77Direction to suspend operations

#### 77 Direction to suspend operations 77 Direction to suspend operations > > (1) The Secretary may, by written notice (a suspension notice), direct a responsible person to suspend (for such period as is specified in the direction or until further notice) all, or any specified, operations under a petroleum title or an activity approval relating to the operations if the Secretary considers that— > > > > > (a) circumstances exist that could constitute a ground for cancellation of the petroleum title under section 22 (1) (b)–(g), or > > > > > (b) circumstances exist that could constitute a ground for cancellation of the petroleum title under section 22 (1) (h), in relation to a contravention of a direction under section 75 only, or > > > > > (c) on any other ground specified in the regulations. > > > (2) Before giving a suspension notice, the Secretary is to— > > > > > (a) cause written notice of the proposed suspension notice and the grounds for it to be served on the holder of the relevant petroleum title, and > > > > > (b) give the holder of the relevant petroleum title a reasonable opportunity to make representations with respect to the proposed suspension notice, and > > > > > (c) take any such representations into consideration. > > > (3) The suspension notice takes effect on the date on which it is given to the holder of the relevant petroleum title or on a later date specified in the notice. > > > (4) The suspension of a petroleum title does not affect any liability incurred by the holder of the relevant petroleum title before the suspension took effect. > > > (5) The holder of the relevant petroleum title is not entitled to compensation merely because of the suspension of operations under the petroleum title or an activity approval in accordance with a suspension notice. > > > (6) If a suspension notice under this section is issued to a person who is not the current holder of the relevant petroleum title, the Secretary must cause a copy of the notice to be served on any current holder within 5 days after the notice is issued. > > > (7) A direction served on a person under this section may require the person to prepare, and submit to the Secretary or inspector, reports as to any of the following— > > > > > (a) the measures the person proposes to take for the purpose of complying with the direction, > > > > > (b) the progress made by the person in implementing any such measures. > > **s 77:** Am 2000 No 90, Sch 1.2 \[2\]; 2012 No 84, Sch 2.3 \[3\]. Subst 2015 No 40, Sch 2 \[33\].