40AApplication for licence by holder of lease

40A Application for licence by holder of lease (1) A lessee whose lease is in force may make an application to the Minister for the grant of a licence where the lease is: (a) in respect of 9 blocks – in respect of 5 of those blocks; (b) in respect of 8 or 7 blocks – in respect of 4 of those blocks; (c) in respect of 6 or 5 blocks – in respect of 3 of those blocks; (d) in respect of 4 or 3 blocks – in respect of 2 of those blocks; (e) in respect of 2 blocks – in respect of one of those blocks; or (f) in respect of one block – in respect of that block. (2) At any time while a lease is in force, the lessee may, instead of making an application under subsection (1) in respect of his primary entitlement, make an application to the Minister for the grant of a licence in respect of a number of blocks that is less than his primary entitlement. (3) Where an application has been made under subsection (1) in respect of his primary entitlement, the person who is then the lessee may, at any time while the lease concerned is in force, make an application to the Minister for the grant of a licence in respect of any of the other blocks forming part of the lease.

Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981 46