22BGrant or refusal of permit in relation to application

#### 22B Grant or refusal of permit in relation to application (1) Where, at the end of the period specified in an instrument published under subsection 22A(1), only one application has been made under section 22A in respect of the block or blocks specified in the instrument, the Joint Authority may reject the application or may, by instrument in writing served on the applicant, inform the applicant that it is prepared to grant to the applicant a permit in respect of that block or those blocks. (2) Where, at the end of the period specified in an instrument published under subsection 22A(1), 2 or more applications have been made under section 22A in respect of the block or blocks specified in the instrument, the Joint Authority may reject any or all of the applications and, if it does not reject all of the applications, may: (a) if only one application remains unrejected—by instrument in writing served on the applicant; or (b) if 2 or more applications remain unrejected—by instrument in writing served on the applicant, or on one of the applicants, whose application has not been rejected and who has specified for the purposes of paragraph 22A(5)(f) an amount that is not less than the amount so specified by any other applicant whose application has not been rejected; inform the applicant that it is prepared to grant to the applicant a permit in respect of that block or those blocks. (3) An instrument served on an applicant under subsection (1) or (2) 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 (4) and pay to the Commonwealth the amount to be paid in respect of the grant of the permit to the applicant. (4) An applicant on whom there has been served an instrument under subsection (1) or (2) may, within the period of one month after the date of service of the instrument on the applicant: (a) by instrument in writing served on the Designated Authority, request the Joint Authority to grant to the applicant the permit referred to in the first‑mentioned instrument; and (b) pay to the Commonwealth the amount specified by the applicant for the purposes of paragraph 22A(5)(f) in respect of the grant of the permit to the applicant. (5) Where an applicant on whom there has been served an instrument under subsection (1) or (2): (a) has made a request under paragraph (4)(a); and (b) has paid to the Commonwealth the amount specified by the applicant for the purposes of paragraph 22A(5)(f) in respect of the grant of the permit to the applicant; within the period of one month after the date of service of the instrument on the applicant, the Joint Authority shall, as soon as practicable after the amount referred to in paragraph (b) is paid to the Commonwealth, grant to the applicant an exploration permit for petroleum in respect of the block or blocks specified in the instrument. (6) Where an applicant on whom there has been served an instrument under subsection (1) or (2): (a) has not made a request under paragraph (4)(a); or (b) has not paid to the Commonwealth the amount specified by the applicant for the purposes of paragraph 22A(5)(f) in respect of the grant of the permit to the applicant; within the period of one month after the date of service of the instrument on the applicant, the application lapses at the end of that period. (7) Where the application of an applicant on whom there has been served an instrument under subsection (2) lapses as provided by subsection (6), subsection (2) applies in respect of the application or applications, if any, then remaining unrejected.