58Directions as to recovery of petroleum

58 Directions as to recovery of petroleum (1) Where petroleum is not being recovered in a licence area and the Minister is satisfied that there is recoverable petroleum in that area, he may, by notice in writing served on the licensee, direct the licensee to take all necessary and practicable steps to recover that petroleum. (2) Where the Minister is not satisfied with the steps taken or being taken by a licensee to whom a direction has been given under subsection (1), the Minister may, by notice in writing served on the licensee, give to the licensee such directions as the Minister thinks necessary for or in relation to the recovery of petroleum in the licence area.

Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1981 60 (3) Where petroleum is being recovered in a licence area, the Minister may, for reasons that he thinks sufficient, by notice in writing served on the licensee, direct the licensee to take all necessary and practicable steps to increase or reduce the rate at which petroleum is being recovered in the licence area or from a petroleum pool in the licence area to such rate as the Minister specifies in the notice. (4) Where the Minister is not satisfied with the steps taken or being taken by a licensee to whom a direction has been given under subsection (3), the Minister may, by notice in writing served on the licensee, give to the licensee such directions as the Minister thinks necessary for or in relation to the increase or reduction of the rate at which petroleum is being recovered in the licence area or from a petroleum pool in the licence area. (5) Without limiting the matters that may be taken into account by the Minister in determining whether to give a direction under subsection (3) or (4), the Minister may take into account matters relating to the effects on the revenue of the Territory of the proposed direction, but the Minister shall not give a direction under subsection (3) or (4) if the direction would require action to be taken that is contrary to good oil-field practice.