31Approval process

31 Approval process (1) An interest holder may apply to the Minister for the approval of an access agreement that has been entered into between the interest holder and a designated person under this Part. (2) The application must:

Petroleum Regulations 2020 21 (b) be accompanied by a copy of the access agreement that is verified as being a true copy of the agreement in a manner acceptable to the Minister; and (3) On receipt of an application for the approval of an access agreement, the Minister must: (a) if reasonably satisfied that the access agreement meets the minimum protection requirements – approve the agreement and give the parties to the agreement a notice of approval; or (b) if not reasonably satisfied that the access agreement at least meets the minimum protection requirements – give the parties to the agreement a notice specifying: (i) that the Minister is not reasonably satisfied that the access agreement meets the minimum protection requirements; and (ii) the reasons why the Minister is not satisfied; and (iii) a reasonable period within which the parties may vary the access agreement and provide for the agreement to be resubmitted for approval. (4) The Minister must make a decision under subregulation (3) within 28 days after receiving the agreement or within such longer period as the Minister may reasonably require. (5) An access agreement resubmitted under subregulation (3) must be accompanied by a report (approved by the parties of the agreement) on the variations that have been made to the (6) On the resubmission of an access agreement, the Minister must: (a) if reasonably satisfied that the access agreement now meets the minimum protection requirements – approve the agreement and give the parties to the agreement a notice of approval; or

Petroleum Regulations 2020 22 (b) if still not reasonably satisfied that the access agreement meets the minimum protection requirements – determine to refuse to approve the agreement and give the parties to the agreement a notice specifying: (i) that the Minister still is not reasonably satisfied that the access agreement meets the minimum protection requirements; and (ii) the reasons why the Minister is not satisfied; and (iii) that the approval of the access agreement is refused.