44Grant of licence

#### 44 Grant of licence (1) An applicant on whom there has been served a notice under subsection 43(1A) may, within a period of 3 months after the date of service of the notice on him, or within such further period, not exceeding 3 months, as the Designated Authority, on application in writing served on him before the expiration of the first‑mentioned period of 3 months, allows, by instrument in writing served on the Designated Authority, request the Joint Authority to grant to the applicant the licence referred to in the notice. (2) Where an applicant on whom there has been served a notice under subsection 43(1A) has made a request under subsection (1) within the period applicable under subsection (1), the Joint Authority shall grant to the applicant a production licence for petroleum in respect of the block or blocks as to which it is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph 43(1A)(b). (3) A secondary licence shall not be granted to a permittee or lessee in respect of any one or more of the blocks that constitute a location unless: (a) a primary licence has been granted in respect of a block or blocks forming part of that location; and (b) the number of blocks in respect of which the primary licence was granted, together with the number of blocks included in that licence by reason of variations of the licence under section 45, is the permittee’s or lessee’s primary entitlement. (4) Where an applicant on whom there has been served a notice under subsection 43(1A) has not made a request under subsection (1) within the period applicable under subsection (1) of this section, the application lapses upon the expiration of that period. (5) On the day on which a licence granted under this section comes into force, the permit or lease in respect of the blocks in respect of which the licence was granted ceases to be in force in respect of those blocks.