2In Part XIX of the Taxes Act 1988 (general supplementary provisions), after the section inserted by paragraph 1 above insert—
(1)References in the Tax Acts to “oil and gas exploration and appraisal” are to activities carried out for the purpose of—
(a)searching for petroleum anywhere in an area, or
(b)ascertaining—
(i)the extent or characteristics of any petroleum-bearing area, or
(ii)what the reserves of petroleum of any such area are,
so that it may be determined whether the petroleum is suitable for commercial exploitation.
(2)For this purpose “petroleum” has the meaning given in section 1 of the [1998 c. 17.] Petroleum Act 1998.”.