31Application for renewal of permit to be in respect of reduced area

#### 31 Application for renewal of permit to be in respect of reduced area (1) Subject to subsections (2A), (3), (4) and (5), the number of blocks in respect of which an application for the renewal of a permit may be made shall not exceed the number calculated as follows: (a) where the number of blocks in respect of which the permit is in force is a number that is divisible by 2 without remainder—one‑half of that number; or (b) where the number of blocks in respect of which the permit is in force is a number that is one less or one more than a number that is divisible by 4 without remainder—one‑half of that last‑mentioned number. (2) A block that is, or is included in, a location and in respect of which the permit is in force shall not be regarded as a block in respect of which the permit is in force for the purpose of making a calculation under subsection (1). (2A) An application for the renewal of a permit may include, in addition to the blocks referred to in subsection (1), a block that is, or is included in, a location and in respect to which the permit is in force, or 2 or more such blocks. (3) An application cannot be made for the renewal of a permit in respect of only one block. (4) If a permit is in force in respect of 5 or 6 blocks, an application may be made for the renewal of the permit in respect of 4 of those blocks. (5) If a permit is in force in respect of 2, 3 or 4 blocks, an application may be made for the renewal of the permit in respect of all those blocks. (6) An application may not be made for the further renewal of a permit that was renewed as a result of an application referred to in subsection (5). > Note: The operation of this section is affected by a saving provision set out in item 32 of Schedule 1 to the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2000. The saving provision applies in relation to the first application after the commencement of item 31 of that Schedule (on 7 March 2000) for the renewal of a permit that was granted before that commencement.