Applications for petroleum exploration and development licencesI1I27
1
Subject to paragraph (5) below, every application for a petroleum exploration and development licence shall relate to a block described in a notice published in the Official Journal or to a number of contiguous blocks so described.
2
The notice referred to in paragraph (1) above shall describe, by reference to a map deposited at the office of the Department of Trade and Industry specified in the notice and at such other places (if any) as may be specified in the notice, areas (in these Regulations referred to as “blocks”) to which reference numbers shall be assigned, in respect of which the Secretary of State is prepared to receive applications for petroleum exploration and development licences.
3
Subject to paragraph (4) below, the notice shall provide for applications relating to any of the blocks so described to be made and determined in competition with others, specifying—
a
a date before which any such applications are to be made, being a date at least 90 days after the date on which the notice is published; and
b
a date on which, or a period within which, licences will be granted to successful applicants.
4
In the case of any block in respect of which—
a
provision for competing applications was made on a previous occasion in a notice published in the Official Journal; and
b
that provision did not result in the grant of a licence;
the notice may provide for applications to be made and determined at any time.
5
Where the Secretary of State decides that geological or production considerations justify the granting of a petroleum exploration and development licence in respect of any area to the holder of a licence in respect of a contiguous area, and notifies him and any other holders of licences in respect of areas contiguous to the area in question accordingly, any of them may apply for a licence in respect of the area in question within whatever period the Secretary of State considers sufficient for this purpose and specifies in the notification.