The Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1995

Regulation 9(2)(a)

SCHEDULE 3 U.K. MODEL CLAUSES FOR PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT LICENCES IN LANDWARD AREAS

1.—(1) In the following clauses, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say— U.K.

“the Act of 1934” means the Petroleum (Production) Act 1934;

“the Act of 1964” means the Continental Shelf Act 1964;

“appropriate percentage” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 10;

“block” means an area delineated on the reference map deposited at the office of the Department of Trade and Industry, London, SW1;

“chargeable period” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 10;

“development scheme” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 25;

“half year” means the period from 1st January to 30th June in any year and the period from 1st July to 31st December in any year;

“initial term” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 3 and “second term” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 4(4);

“the licensed area” means the area for the time being in which the Licensee may exercise the rights granted by this licence;

“the Licensee” means the person or persons to whom this licence is granted, his personal representatives and any person or persons to whom the rights conferred by this licence may lawfully have been assigned;

“the Minister” means the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry;

“oil field” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 25;

“petroleum” includes any mineral oil or relative hydrocarbon and natural gas existing in its natural condition in strata but does not include coal or bituminous shales or other stratified deposits from which oil can be extracted by destructive distillation;

“well” includes borehole.

(2) Any obligations which are to be observed and performed by the Licensee shall at any time at which the Licensee is more than one person be joint and several obligations.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 3 clause 1 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Right to search and bore for and get petroleum U.K.

2.  In consideration of the payments and royalties hereinafter provided and the performance and observance by the Licensee of all the terms and conditions hereof, the Minister, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by the Act of 1934, hereby grants to the Licensee EXCLUSIVE LICENCE AND LIBERTY during the continuance of this licence and subject to the provisions hereof to search and bore for, and get, petroleum in the area of being the area comprising block(s) No(s). [or part of block No. ] on the reference map deposited at the office of the Department of Trade and Industry, London, SW1 and more particularly described in Schedule 1 to this licence.

Provided that nothing in this licence shall affect the right of the Minister to grant a methane drainage licence in respect of the whole or any part of the licensed area or affect the exercise of any rights so granted.

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 3 clause 2 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Term of Licence U.K.

3.  This petroleum exploration and development licence unless sooner determined under any of the provisions hereof shall be and continue in force for the term of six years next after (hereinafter called “the initial term”); but if the terms and conditions of this licence are duly performed and observed and, in particular, if the work programme described in Schedule 4 to this licence has been duly performed, it may be continued for a further term of five years and, if the terms and conditions of this licence continue to be duly performed and observed, thereafter as provided by clause 5 (and subject to the provisions of clause 6 of this licence) for a further maximum period of twenty years.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 3 clause 3 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Option to continue licence as to part of the licensed area U.K.

4.—(1) At any time not later than three months before the expiration of the initial term the Licensee paying the payments and royalties hereinafter provided and observing and performing the terms and conditions herein contained may give notice in writing to the Minister that he desires the licence to continue as to a part of the licensed area (hereinafter called “the continuing part”) in the manner hereinafter provided and to determine as to the residue thereof (hereinafter called “the surrendered part”).

(2) Such notice shall—

(a) describe the surrendered part which shall be an area which shall, together with any area previously surrendered in accordance with clause 7 hereof, be—

(i) if the area originally comprised in this licence consisted of 50 square kilometres or more, not less than half the number of such square kilometres; or

(ii) if the area originally comprised in this licence consisted of more than 25 square kilometres but less than 50 square kilometres, such a number of square kilometres as will leave a continuing part consisting of 25 square kilometres;

provided that—

(i) if the area originally comprised in this licence consisted of not more than 25 square kilometres the Licensee shall not be obliged to surrender any part of the licensed area; and

(ii) the Licensee shall not be obliged to surrender any part of the licensed area which the Minister considers, on an application on that behalf being made to him by the licensee, necessary to secure the recovery of petroleum from that area;

(b) specify a date (hereinafter called “the surrender date”) not later than the expiry of the initial term upon which the surrendered part is to be surrendered.

(3) The Licensee may at any time not less than one month before the surrender date give further notice in writing to the Minister varying the part of the licensed area to be surrendered and in the event of such further notice being given the provisions of the previous paragraphs of this clause shall apply mutatis mutandis to such notice but so that the surrender date specified in such notice shall be the same as that specified in the first notice.

(4) This licence shall, upon the option conferred by this clause being duly exercised but subject to the provisions of clause 3 of this licence, continue in respect of the continuing part for a term of five years next after the surrender date (“the second term”).

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 3 clause 4 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Continuance of licence after the second term U.K.

5.—(1) At any time not later than three months before the expiry of the second term the Licensee paying the payments and royalties hereinafter provided and observing and performing the terms and conditions herein contained may give notice in writing to the Minister that he desires this licence to continue in force thereafter.

(2) If such notice is given this licence shall continue in force after the expiry of the second term as provided by the following paragraphs of this clause in the event that before that date—

(a) the Minister has in pursuance of clause 15(4) of this licence approved a programme submitted to him in pursuance of clause 15(2) and such approval is still in force at that date,

(b) the Minister has served a programme on the Licensee in pursuance of clause 15(6) of this licence and such programme is still in force at that date, or

(c) the Minister has with a view to securing the maximum economic recovery of petroleum so directed in writing.

(3) Where the Minister has given a direction extending the second term of this licence in pursuance of paragraph (2)(c) of this clause he may, on notice in writing being given to him by the Licensee not later than three months before the expiry of such extension or any further extension that he desires the licence to continue in force thereafter, give a further direction that this licence shall so continue in force.

(4) Where this licence continues in force by virtue of paragraph (2)(a) or (b) of this clause it shall, subject to the provisions of clause 3 of this licence, so continue in force for a further period of twenty years after the expiry of the second term.

(5) Where this licence continues in force by virtue of a direction given in pursuance of paragraph (2)(c) or further direction given in pursuance of paragraph (3) of this clause it shall, subject to the provisions of clause 3 hereof, continue in force for such further period after the expiry of the second term as the Minister may prescribe provided that in any event the period for which this licence continues in force after the expiry of the second term by virtue of any such directions shall not in aggregate exceed twenty years.

(6) A direction given by the Minister in pursuance of paragraph (2)(c) of this clause or further direction given by the Minister in pursuance of paragraph (3) of this clause may be given subject to such conditions as he may specify and (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) such conditions may, subject to the provisions of paragraph (5) of this clause, include conditions as to the duration of the extension or further extension (as the case may be) of the second term.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 3 clause 5 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Power further to extend term of licence U.K.

6.  Where this licence has continued in force by virtue of clause 5 of this licence for a total period of twenty years after the expiry of the second term, the Minister, on application being made to him in writing not later than three months before the expiry of such period, may agree with the Licensee that this licence shall continue in force thereafter for such further period as the Minister and the Licensee may agree in order to secure the maximum economic recovery of petroleum from the licensed area and subject to such modification of the terms and conditions of this licence (which modification may include making provision for any further extension of the term of this licence) as the Minister and the Licensee may then agree is appropriate.

Commencement Information

I6 Sch. 3 clause 6 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Right of licensee to determine licence or surrender part of licensed area U.K.

7.—(1) Without prejudice to any obligation or liability imposed by or incurred under the terms hereof, the Licensee may, at any time, determine this licence or surrender any part of the licensed area as is mentioned in paragraph (3) of this clause by giving to the Minister not less than six months' notice in writing to that effect.

(2) A notice given pursuant to paragraph (1) of this clause may be cancelled by a further notice in writing given to the Minister not less than one month before the expiration of the notice.

(3) Any area to be surrendered in accordance with paragraph (1) of this clause shall be a clearly defined area whose surrender will leave a retained area the boundaries of which—

(a) run north, south, east and west; and

(b) each extend for 100 metres or a multiple of 100 metres;

• Provided that the Minister may agree in writing prior to the date the appropriate notice is given by the Licensee to accept a surrender of part of the licensed area which does not comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 3 clause 7 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Consequences of determination or surrender by licensee U.K.

8.  Upon the date on which any determination of this licence or any surrender of part of the licensed area in the manner provided by either clause 4 or clause 7 of this licence is to take effect, the rights granted by this licence shall cease in respect of the licensed area or of the part so surrendered as the case may be but without prejudice to any obligation or liability imposed upon the Licensee or incurred by him under the terms of this licence prior to that date.

Commencement Information

I8 Sch. 3 clause 8 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Payment of consideration for licence U.K.

9.—(1) The Licensee shall make to the Minister as consideration for the grant of this licence—

(a) payments of royalty in accordance with clauses 10 and 11 of this licence; and (b)payments in accordance with Schedule 2 to this licence.

(2) The Licensee shall not by reason of determination of the licence or surrender of any part of the licensed area be entitled to be repaid or allowed any sum payable to the Minister pursuant to this licence before the date of determination or surrender.

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 3 clause 9 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Royalty payments U.K.

10.—(1) The Licensee shall pay to the Minister, in respect of each half year in which this licence is in force (hereafter referred to as a “chargeable period”), a royalty of an amount equal to the sum of the percentages specified in Schedule 3 to this licence (hereinafter referred to as “the appropriate percentage”) of the value of the petroleum relating to that period.

(2) For the purposes of this clause and clause 11 of this licence the value of the petroleum relating to a chargeable period is, subject to paragraph (3) of this clause, the total of the amounts which, if the words “one-half or” were omitted from paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and paragraph (d) of subsection (5) of section 2 of the Oil Taxation Act 1975, would in pursuance of paragraph (a) of the said subsection (4) fall to be taken into account in relation to that period in respect of the persons who by reference to this licence are or are treated as participators for the purposes of those subsections, reduced by the total of the market values which would in pursuance of the said paragraph (b) fall to be taken into account as aforesaid.

(3) The value which, in pursuance of paragraph (2) of this clause, is the value of the petroleum relating to a chargeable period shall be increased by an amount equal to the value, as determined for the purposes of income tax or the charge of corporation tax on income, of so much of the petroleum won and saved in the licensed area as falls within section 10(1) of the Oil Taxation Act 1975 and was in that period disposed of or relevantly appropriated (within the meaning of Part I of that Act) by the persons mentioned in the said paragraph (2).

Commencement Information

I10 Sch. 3 clause 10 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Provisions supplementary to clause 10 U.K.

11.—(1) The Licensee shall, within two months after the end of each chargeable period, deliver to the Minister, in such form as the Minister may specify, a statement of—

(a) the quantity of petroleum won and saved in the licensed area in that period and;

(b) the amounts of the prices and market values which are required by paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Oil Taxation Act 1975 to be stated in the returns made for that period in pursuance of that paragraph in consequence of this licence.

(2) The Licensee shall, when he delivers a statement to the Minister in pursuance of paragraph (1) of this clause for a chargeable period in respect of which royalty is payable in pursuance of clause 10(1) of this licence, make to the Minister a payment on account of royalty for that period equal to the appropriate percentage of the sum produced by aggregating the amounts which in pursuance of sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) of this clause are specified in the statement and reducing the aggregate by the amount which, by virtue of paragraph 2(2)(d)(ii) of Schedule 2 to the said Act of 1975, was specified in the statement delivered to the Minister in pursuance of the said paragraph (1) in respect of the preceding chargeable period.

(3) The Minister may from time to time, after a statement in respect of any chargeable period has been delivered to him in pursuance of paragraph (1) of this clause and before he has given to the Licensee a notice in pursuance of paragraph (4) of this clause in respect of that period, give a notice in writing to the Licensee specifying the amount which the Minister estimates is payable by the Licensee in pursuance of clause 10 of this licence in respect of that period, and where the amount specified in the notice is larger or smaller than the total amount already paid by the Licensee in pursuance of this clause in respect of that period, then—

(a) if it is larger the difference shall be paid forthwith by the Licensee to the Minister; and

(b) if it is smaller the difference shall be paid forthwith by the Minister to the Licensee.

(4) When it appears to the Minister that the value of the petroleum relating to any chargeable period has been finally determined for tax purposes, he may give to the Licensee a notice in writing specifying the amount which the Minister considers is payable by the Licensee in pursuance of clause 10 of this licence in respect of that period; and where the amount specified in the notice is larger or smaller than the total amount already paid by the Licensee in pursuance of this clause in respect of that period, then, subject to paragraph (6) of this clause—

(a) if it is larger the difference shall be paid forthwith by the Licensee to the Minister; and

(b) if it is smaller the difference shall be paid forthwith by the Minister to the Licensee.

(5) If after the date when the Minister gave notice to the Licensee in pursuance of paragraph (4) of this clause or this paragraph in respect of a chargeable period it appears to the Minister, in consequence of a relevant assessment or determination made after that date which relates directly or indirectly to the value of petroleum by reference to which the amount specified in the notice was determined, that another amount ought to have been so specified, he may give notice in writing to the Licensee specifying the other amount; and where he does so, then subject to paragraph (6) of this clause—

(a) if the other amount is larger than the total amount already paid by the Licensee in pursuance of this clause in respect of that period the difference shall be paid forthwith by the Licensee to the Minister; and (b)if it is smaller the difference shall be paid forthwith by the Minister to the Licensee.

(6) A decision made by the Minister for the purposes of paragraph (3), (4) or (5) of this clause shall not be called in question by the Licensee except that any dispute between the Minister and the Licensee as to whether an amount specified in a notice given in pursuance of the said paragraph (4) or (5) is payable by virtue of clause 10 of this licence may during the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the Licensee receives the notice be referred to arbitration in the manner provided by clause 39 of this licence; and on a reference to arbitration in pursuance of this paragraph any relevant assessment or determination for the time being in force shall be binding on the Minister and the Licensee so far as the assessment or determination relates directly or indirectly to the value of petroleum relating to the chargeable period in question.

(7) When any payment is made by the Licensee or the Minister in pursuance of paragraph (3), (4) or (5) of this clause, an amount in respect of interest on the payment shall also be payable by him to the recipient of the payment and that amount shall be calculated in such manner as the Minister may specify from time to time in a notice in writing given by him to the Licensee; but—

(a) a notice in pursuance of this paragraph shall provide for amounts by way of interest to be calculated by applying a rate of interest which is for the time being a commercial rate of interest; and

(b) any such amount in respect of interest shall be disregarded in calculating for the purposes of the said paragraph (3) or (4) any amount already paid by the Licensee in pursuance of this clause.

(8) In this clause—

“relevant assessment or determination” means an assessment or determination made by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for the purposes of petroleum revenue tax, income tax or the charge of corporation tax on income or a determination made in proceedings arising out of such an assessment or determination made by the said Commissioners.

(9) For the purposes of this clause any amount paid by the Licensee or the Minister on account of a prospective liability under paragraph (3), (4) or (5) of this clause shall be treated as paid in pursuance of that paragraph.

Commencement Information

I11 Sch. 3 clause 11 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Measurement of petroleum obtained from the licensed area U.K.

12.—(1) The Licensee shall measure or weigh by a method or methods customarily used in good oilfield practice and from time to time approved by the Minister all petroleum won and saved from the licensed area.

(2) If and to the extent that the Minister so directs, the duty imposed by paragraph (1) of this clause shall be discharged separately in relation to petroleum won and saved—

(a) from each part of the licensed area which is an oil field for the purposes of the Oil Taxation Act 1975.

(b) from each part of the licensed area which forms part of such an oil field extending beyond the licensed area, and

(c) from each well producing petroleum from a part of the licensed area which is not within such an oil field.

(3) If and to the extent that the Minister so directs, the preceding provisions of this clause shall apply as if the duty to measure or weigh petroleum included a duty to ascertain its quality or composition or both; and where a direction under this paragraph is in force, the following provisions of this clause shall have effect as if references to measuring or weighing included references to ascertaining quality or composition.

(4) The Licensee shall not make any alteration in the method or methods of measuring or weighing used by him or any appliances used for that purpose without the consent in writing of the Minister and the Minister may in any case require that no alteration shall be made save in the presence of a person authorised by the Minister.

(5) The Minister may from time to time direct that any weighing or measuring appliance shall be tested or examined in such manner, upon such occasions or at such intervals and by such persons as may be specified by the Minister’s direction and the Licensee shall pay to any such person or to the Minister such fees and expenses for any such tests or examinations as the Minister may specify.

(6) If any measuring or weighing appliance shall upon any such test or examination as is mentioned in the last foregoing paragraph be found to be false or unjust the same shall, if the Minister so determines after considering any representations in writing made by the Licensee, be deemed to have existed in that condition during the period since the last occasion upon which the same was tested or examined pursuant to the last foregoing paragraph.

Commencement Information

I12 Sch. 3 clause 12 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Keeping of accounts U.K.

13.—(1) The Licensee shall keep in the United Kingdom full and correct accounts in a form from time to time approved by the Minister of—

(a) the quantity of petroleum in the form of gas won and saved;

(b) the quantity of petroleum in any other form won and saved;

(c) the name and address of any person to whom any petroleum has been supplied by the Licensee, the quantity so supplied, the price or other consideration therefor and the place to which the petroleum was conveyed pursuant to the agreement for such supply; and

(d) such other particulars as the Minister may from time to time direct.

(2) The quantities of petroleum stated in such accounts may exclude any water separated from the petroleum and shall be expressed as volumes in cubic metres measured at, or calculated as if measured at, a temperature of 15 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 1.0132 bar but if the Minister serves notice in writing on the Licensee determining any other manner in which any quantity of petroleum or any quantity of any form of petroleum is to be expressed that quantity shall be so expressed.

(3) Such accounts shall state separately the quantities used for the purposes of carrying on drilling and production operations and pumping to field storage and the quantities not so used, and in the case of petroleum not in the form of gas shall state the specific gravity of the petroleum and, if petroleum of different specific gravities has been won and saved, the respective quantities of petroleum of each specific gravity.

(4) The Licensee shall within two months after the end of each half year in which this licence is in force and within two months after the expiration or determination of this licence deliver to the Minister an abstract in a form from time to time approved by the Minister of the accounts for that half year or for the period prior to such expiration or determination as the case may be.

Commencement Information

I13 Sch. 3 clause 13 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Working obligations U.K.

14.—(1) The Licensee shall during the initial term of this licence carry out with due diligence the scheme of prospecting including any geological survey by any physical or chemical means and such programme of test drilling (hereinafter collectively referred to as a “work programme”) as may be set out in Schedule 4 to this licence.

(2) The Licensee shall give the Minister at least 21 days' written notice of any proposed seismic survey, during the term of this licence, of any area which is not wholly on the seaward side of the low water line and such notice shall indicate the nature of the survey and the total number of kilometres to be shot and shall be accompanied by a copy of an Ordnance Survey map for the relevant area drawn to the scale of 1:50,000 or 1:63,360 upon which the proposed lines of survey are indicated and by evidence that the planning authorities for the area to be surveyed have been consulted about the proposed survey and, in a case where any planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 is required for the survey in question, evidence that such permission has been granted.

(3) The Licensee shall not carry out any seismic survey during the term of this licence of any such area as is mentioned in paragraph (2) of this clause if notice has not been given as aforesaid or if the Minister indicates to the Licensee within 14 days of the receipt of such notice that the survey is not to be carried out.

(4) If at any time during the term of this Licence the Minister serves a notice in writing on the Licensee requiring him to submit to the Minister, before a date specified in the notice, an appropriate programme for exploring for petroleum in the licensed area during a period so specified, the Licensee shall comply with the notice; and for the purposes of this paragraph an appropriate programme is one which any person who, if he—

(a) were entitled to exploit the rights granted by this licence;

(b) had the competence and resources needed to exploit those rights to the best commercial advantage; and

(c) were seeking to exploit those rights to the best commercial advantage, could reasonably be expected to carry out during the period specified in the notice, being a period within the term of this licence.

(5) If a programme is submitted to the Minister in consequence of a notice served by him in pursuance of paragraph (4) of this clause, then—

(a) he shall not be entitled to revoke this licence on the ground that the programme does not satisfy the requirements of that paragraph (hereafter in this clause referred to as “the relevant requirements”); but

(b) if he is of opinion that the programme does not satisfy the relevant requirements he may serve a notice in writing on the Licensee stating his opinion and the reasons for it.

(6) Where notice in respect of a programme is served on the Licensee in pursuance of paragraph (5) of this clause he shall either—

(a) within 28 days beginning with the date of service of the notice refer to arbitration, in the manner provided by clause 39 of this licence, the question of whether the programme satisfies the relevant requirements; or

(b) within a reasonable period beginning with that date submit to the Minister a further programme which satisfies the relevant requirements;

and where it is determined in consequence of any reference to arbitration in pursuance of sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph that the programme in question does not satisfy the relevant requirements the Licensee shall submit to the Minister, as soon as possible after the date of the determination, a further programme which satisfies the relevant requirements.

(7) The Licensee shall carry out any programme submitted by him in pursuance of this clause as to which either—

(a) the Minister serves notice in writing on the Licensee stating that the Minister approves the programme; or

(b) it is determined in consequence of any reference to arbitration in pursuance of this licence that the programme satisfies the relevant requirements;

and any programme approved by the Minister in pursuance of this paragraph shall be deemed for the purposes of this licence to satisfy the relevant requirements.

(8) Where, in consequence of any breach or non-observance by the Licensee of any provision of paragraph (4), (6) or (7) of this clause, the Minister has power by virtue of paragraph (1) of clause 38 of this licence to revoke this licence, he may if he thinks fit exercise that power in relation to such part only of the licensed area as he may specify; and where he does so the rights granted by this licence shall cease in respect of the specified part of that area without prejudice to any obligation or liability imposed upon the Licensee or incurred by him under the terms of this licence.

(9) Where the Licensee has a duty by virtue of this clause to carry out a programme during a part of the term of this licence, the Minister may serve notice in pursuance of paragraph (4) of this clause in respect of another part of that term.

Commencement Information

I14 Sch. 3 clause 14 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Development and production programmes U.K.

15.—(1) The Licensee shall not—

(a) erect or carry out any relevant works, either in the licensed area or elsewhere, for the purpose of getting petroleum from that area or for the purpose of conveying to a place on land petroleum got from that area; or

(b) get petroleum from that area otherwise than in the course of searching for petroleum or drilling wells,

except in accordance with a programme which the Minister has approved or served on the Licensee in pursuance of the following provisions of this clause.

(2) The Licensee shall prepare and submit to the Minister, in such form and by such time and in respect of such period during the term of this licence as the Minister may direct, a development programme specifying—

(a) the relevant works which the Licensee proposes to erect or carry out during that period for either of the purposes mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) of this clause;

(b) the proposed locations of the works, the purposes for which it is proposed to use the works and the times at which it is proposed to begin and to complete the erection or carrying out of the works; and

(c) the maximum and minimum quantities of petroleum in the form of gas and the maximum and minimum quantities of petroleum in other forms, which, in each calendar year during the period aforesaid or in such other periods during that period as the Minister may specify, the Licensee proposes to get as mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) of this clause.

(3) If the Minister directs the Licensee—

(a) to prepare different programmes in pursuance of paragraph (2) of this clause in respect of petroleum from such different parts of the licensed area as are specified in the direction; or

(b) where a programme approved or served in pursuance of this clause relates to a particular period during the term of this licence, to prepare a programme or programmes in pursuance of paragraph (2) of this clause in respect of a further period or further periods during that term,

the Licensee shall comply with the direction.

(4) It shall be the duty of the Minister expeditiously to consider any programme submitted to him in pursuance of paragraph (2) of this clause and when he has done so to give notice in writing to the Licensee stating—

(a) that the Minister approves the programme subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notice as the Minister considers necessary to secure the maximum economic recovery of petroleum from the licensed area;

(b) that the Minister approves the programme subject to the condition that such of the relevant works as are specified in the notice shall not be used before the expiration of the period so specified in relation to the works or shall not be used without the consent in writing of the Minister; or

(c) that the Minister rejects the programme on one or both of the following grounds, namely—

(i) that the carrying out of any proposals included in the programme in pursuance of paragraph (2) of this clause would be contrary to good oilfield practice;

(ii) that the proposals included in the programme in pursuance of sub-paragraph (c) of the said paragraph (2) are, in the opinion of the Minister, not in the national interest;

and a notice in pursuance of sub-paragraph (a) or (b) of this paragraph may contain different conditions in respect of different works.

(5) Where the Minister gives notice of rejection of a programme in pursuance of sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (4) of this clause, then—

(a) if the grounds of the rejection consist of or include the ground mentioned in paragraph (i) of that sub-paragraph he shall include in the notice a statement of the matters in consequence of which he rejected the programme on that ground;

(b) if the grounds of the rejection consist of or include the ground mentioned in paragraph (ii) of that sub-paragraph he shall include in the notice a statement of the rates at which he considers that, in the national interest, petroleum should be got from the area to which the programme relates; and

(c) the Licensee shall prepare and submit to the Minister, before the time specified in that behalf in the notice,—

(i) where the notice contains such a statement as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above, modifications of the programme which ensure that the carrying out of the programme with those modifications would not be contrary to good oilfield practice;

(ii) where the notice contains such a statement as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) above, modifications of the programme which ensure the getting of petroleum from the area there mentioned at the rates specified in the statement and which (except so far as may be necessary in order to get petroleum at those rates) are not such that the carrying out of the programme with those modifications would be contrary to good oilfield practice;

but the Licensee shall not be required by virtue of paragraph (i) of this sub-paragraph to submit modifications if the carrying out of the programme without modifications would not be contrary to good oilfield practice.

(6) If the Minister gives notice in writing to the Licensee that the Minister approves the modifications of a programme which have been submitted to him in pursuance of sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (5) of this clause, the programme with those modifications shall be deemed to be approved by the Minister; but if the Licensee fails to perform the duty imposed on him by that sub-paragraph the Minister may if he thinks fit, instead of revoking this licence in consequence of the failure, serve on the Licensee such a programme as the Minister considers that the Licensee should have submitted to him in respect of the area and period to which the rejected programme related.

(7) Where the Minister proposes to approve a programme subject to a condition in pursuance of paragraph (4)(a) or (b) of this clause or to reject a programme in pursuance of paragraph (4)(c) of this clause or to serve a programme on the Licensee in pursuance of paragraph (6) of this clause he shall before doing so—

(a) give the Licensee particulars of the proposal and an opportunity of making representations to the Minister about the technical and financial factors which the Licensee considers are relevant in connection with the proposal; and

(b) consider any such representations then made to him by the Licensee;

and the Minister shall not approve a programme subject to such a condition unless he is satisfied that the condition is required in the national interest.

(8) The Licensee shall carry out any programme approved or served on him by the Minister in pursuance of this clause or, if such a programme is varied in pursuance of clause 16 of this licence, the programme as so varied, except so far as the Licensee is authorised in writing by the Minister to do otherwise or is required to do otherwise by such a condition as is mentioned in paragraph (4)(a) or (b) of this clause; but if it is necessary to carry out certain works in order to comply with provisions included in a programme by virtue of paragraph (5)(c) of this clause or provisions of a programme served on the Licensee in pursuance of paragraph (6) of this clause or provisions of a programme as varied in pursuance of clause 16 of this licence, then, notwithstanding anything in the programme as to the time when those provisions are to be complied with, the Licensee shall not be treated as having failed to comply with those provisions before the expiration of the period reasonably required for carrying out the works.

(9) In this clause “relevant works” means any structures and any other works whatsoever which are intended by the Licensee to be permanent and are neither designed to be moved from place to place without major dismantling nor intended by the Licensee to be used only for searching for petroleum.

Commencement Information

I15 Sch. 3 clause 15 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Provisions supplementary to clause 15 U.K.

16.—(1) Where—

(a) the Minister gives notice in respect of a programme in pursuance of paragraph (4)(a) or (b) or paragraph (6) of clause 15 of this licence or serves a programme in pursuance of the said paragraph (6); or

(b) it is determined by arbitration that the Licensee is not required by virtue of paragraph (i) of clause 15(5)(c) of this licence to submit modifications of a programme in respect of which notice of rejection containing such a statement as is mentioned in the said paragraph (i) was given by the Minister in pursuance of clause 15(4)(c) of this licence.

the Minister may give to the Licensee, with the notice given or the programme served as mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph or, in a case falling within sub-paragraph (b) of this paragraph, within the period of three months beginning with the date of the arbitrator’s or arbiter’s determination, a notice (hereafter in this clause referred to as a “limitation notice”) authorising the Minister, by a further notice given to the Licensee from time to time after the expiration of the period specified in that behalf in the limitation notice, to provide that the programme to which the limitation notice relates shall have effect while the further notice is in force with the substitution for any quantity of petroleum or any period specified in the programme in pursuance of clause 15(2)(c) of this licence of a different quantity of petroleum or a different period specified in the further notice.

(2) A quantity or period specified in such a further notice as that to be substituted for a quantity or period which is specified in the programme in question shall be within the limits specified in the limitation notice as those applicable to that quantity or period specified in the programme; and those limits shall be such as to secure that the expenditure to be incurred by the Licensee in complying with the further notice, in a case where an effect of the notice is to increase the quantity of petroleum which the Licensee is required to get from the licensed area in any period, is less than the cost of drilling a new well in the licensed area at the time when the further notice is given.

(3) Where the Minister proposes to give a limitation notice or any such further notice as aforesaid he shall before doing so—

(a) give the Licensee particulars of the proposal and an opportunity of making representations to the Minister about the technical and financial factors which the Licensee considers are relevant in connection with the proposal; and

(b) consider any such representations then made to him by the Licensee;

and the Minister shall not give such a further notice of which an effect is to increase the quantity of petroleum which the Licensee is required to get from the licensed area during any period unless the Minister is satisfied that the notice is required by reason of a national emergency and shall not give any other such further notice as aforesaid unless he is satisfied that the notice is required in the national interest.

(4) A limitation notice or such a further notice as aforesaid may—

(a) specify any quantity or period by reference to such factors as the Minister thinks fit; and

(b) in the case of such a further notice, contain provisions as to—

(i) the date when the notice is to come into force,

(ii) the date when the notice is to cease to be in force,

and specify different dates in pursuance of this sub-paragraph for different provisions of the notice;

and the Minister may revoke such a further notice at a particular time by serving on the Licensee a notice in writing stating that the further notice is revoked at that time.

(5) Any question arising under clause 15 of this licence or this clause as to what is, or is required in the national interest or as to what is, or is required by reason of, a national emergency shall be determined by the Minister.

(6) The Licensee shall ensure that any conditions to which an approval is subject in pursuance of clause 15(4)(a) or (b) of this licence are complied with.

(7) If in respect of part of the licensed area—

(a) an approval has been given in pursuance of paragraph (1) of clause 15 of this licence; or

(b) the Licensee has submitted to the Minister, in accordance with a direction given by virtue of paragraph (3)(a) of that clause, a programme in pursuance of paragraph (2) of that clause—

(i) as respects which the Minister has served notice in pursuance of paragraph (4)(a) or (b) or paragraph (6) of that clause,

(ii) in consequence of which the Minister has served a programme on the Licensee in pursuance of the said paragraph (6), or

(iii) in respect of which it has been determined by arbitration that the Licensee is not required by virtue of paragraph (5)(c)(i) of that clause to submit modifications,

paragraph (1) of clause 38 of this licence shall not authorise the Minister to revoke this licence in relation to that part of the licensed area in consequence of any breach or non-observance, during the period to which the programme relates, of any provision of the said clause 15 in connection with a different part of the licensed area.

(8) Where in consequence of any breach or non-observance by the Licensee of any provision of clause 15 of this licence the Minister has power by virtue of paragraph (1) of clause 38 of this licence to revoke this licence or, in consequence of paragraph (7) of this clause, to revoke it in respect of part only of the licensed area, he may if he thinks fit—

(a) in a case where he has power to revoke this licence, exercise the power in relation to such part only of the licensed area as he may specify; and

(b) in a case where by virtue of the said paragraph (7) he has power to revoke it in respect of part only of the licensed area, exercise the power in relation to such portion only of that part as he may specify;

and where in consequence of the said paragraph (7) or by virtue of the preceding provisions of this paragraph the Minister revokes this licence in respect of a part or portion of the licensed area, the rights granted by this licence shall cease in respect of that part or portion without prejudice to any obligation or liability imposed upon the Licensee or incurred by him under the terms of this licence.

Commencement Information

I16 Sch. 3 clause 16 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Commencement and abandonment and plugging of wells U.K.

17.—(1) The Licensee shall not commence or, after abandoning in manner hereinafter provided, shall not recommence the drilling of any well without the consent in writing of the Minister.

(2) The Licensee shall not abandon any well without the consent in writing of the Minister.

(3) The Licensee shall ensure compliance with any conditions subject to which any consent under either of the foregoing paragraphs is given.

(4) If any such condition under paragraph (1) of this clause relates to the position, depth or direction of the well, or to any casing of the well, or if any condition under either paragraph (1) or paragraph (2) of this clause relates to any plugging or sealing of the well, the Minister may from time to time direct that the well and all records relating thereto shall be examined in such manner upon such occasions or at such intervals and by such person as may be specified by the Minister’s direction and the Licensee shall pay to any such person or to the Minister such fees and expenses for such examination as the Minister may specify.

(5) The plugging of any well shall be done in accordance with a specification approved by the Minister applicable to that well or to wells generally or to a class of wells to which that well belongs and shall be carried out in an efficient and workmanlike manner.

(6) Any well drilled by the Licensee pursuant to this licence, which, at the expiry or determination of the Licensee’s rights in respect of the area or part thereof in which that well is drilled, has not with the consent of the Minister been abandoned, shall be left in good order and fit for further working together with all casings and any well head fixtures the removal whereof would cause damage to such well or, if the Minister so directs in the manner provided by paragraph (8) of this clause, be plugged and sealed in accordance with the Minister’s direction.

(7) All casings and fixtures left in position pursuant to the last foregoing paragraph shall be the property of the Minister.

(8) In any case to which paragraph (6) of this clause applies, a direction by the Minister may be given by notice in writing to the Licensee not less than one month before the Licensee’s rights in respect of the area or part thereof in which the well is situated expire or determine, specifying the manner in which the well is to be plugged and sealed and the time within which such work is to be done.

(9) An application for the consent of the Minister to the drilling of a well at any place above the low water line shall be accompanied by evidence that the planning authority for the relevant place has been consulted about the drilling and that any planning permission required by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972 for the drilling of that well has been granted.

Commencement Information

I17 Sch. 3 clause 17 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Distance of wells from boundaries of licensed area U.K.

18.  No well shall except with the consent in writing of the Minister be drilled or made so that any part thereof is less than one hundred and twenty-five metres from any of the boundaries of the licensed area.

Commencement Information

I18 Sch. 3 clause 18 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Control of development wells U.K.

19.—(1) The Licensee shall not suspend work on the drilling of a development well, or having suspended it in accordance with this paragraph shall not begin it again, except with the consent in writing of the Minister and in accordance with the conditions, if any, subject to which the consent is given.

(2) When work on the drilling of a development well is suspended in accordance with paragraph (1) of this clause, the Licensee shall forthwith furnish the Minister with such information relating to the well as the Minister may specify.

(3) The Licensee—

(a) shall not do any completion work in respect of a well in the licensed area except in accordance with a programme of completion work approved by the Minister in respect of the well;

(b) shall furnish to the Minister, in accordance with the provisions of such a programme, particulars of any completion work done by him in respect of a well in the licensed area; and

(c) shall not remove or alter any casing or equipment installed by way of completion work in respect of a well except with the consent in writing of the Minister and in accordance with the conditions, if any, subject to which the consent is given.

(4) In this clause—

“completion work”, in relation to a well, means work, by way of the installation of a casing or equipment or otherwise, after the well has been drilled, for the purpose of bringing the well into use as a development well; and

“development well” means a well which the Licensee uses or intends to use in connection with the getting of petroleum in the licensed area, other than a well which for the time being he uses or intends to use only for searching for petroleum.

Commencement Information

I19 Sch. 3 clause 19 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Provision of storage tanks, pipes, pipelines or other receptacles U.K.

20.  The Licensee shall use methods and practice customarily used in good oilfield practice for confining the petroleum obtained from the licensed area in tanks, gas holders, pipes, pipe-lines or other receptacles constructed for that purpose.

Commencement Information

I20 Sch. 3 clause 20 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Avoidance of harmful methods of working U.K.

21.—(1) The Licensee shall maintain all apparatus and appliances and all wells in the licensed area which have not been abandoned and plugged as provided by clause 17 of this license in good repair and condition and shall execute all operations in or in connection with the licensed area in a proper and workmanlike manner in accordance with methods and practice customarily used in good oilfield practice and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision the Licensee shall take all steps practicable in order—

(a) to control the flow and to prevent the escape or waste of petroleum discovered in or obtained from the licensed area;

(b) to conserve the licensed area for productive operations;

(c) to prevent damage to adjoining petroleum bearing strata;

(d) to prevent the entrance of water through wells to petroleum bearing strata except for the purposes of secondary recovery; and

(e) to prevent the escape of petroleum into any waters in or in the vicinity of the licensed area.

(2) The Licensee shall comply with any instructions from time to time given by the Minister in writing relating to any of the matters set out in the foregoing paragraph. If the Licensee objects to any such instruction on the ground that it is unreasonable he may, within fourteen days from the date upon which the same was given, refer the matter to arbitration in manner provided by clause 39 of this licence.

(3) Notwithstanding anything in the preceding provisions of this clause, the Licensee shall not—

(a) flare any gas from the licensed area; or

(b) use gas for the purpose of creating or increasing the pressure by means of which petroleum is obtained from that area,

except with the consent in writing of the Minister and in accordance with the conditions, if any, of the consent.

(4) Before deciding to withhold consent or to grant it subject to conditions in pursuance of paragraph (3) of this clause, the Minister shall give the Licensee an opportunity of making representations in writing to the Minister about the technical and financial factors which the Licensee considers are relevant in connection with the case and shall consider any such representations then made to him by the Licensee.

(5) Consent in pursuance of paragraph (3) of this clause shall not be required for any flaring which, in consequence of an event which the Licensee did not foresee in time to deal with it otherwise than by flaring, is necessary in order—

(a) to remove or reduce the risk of injury to persons in the vicinity of the well in question; or

(b) to maintain a flow of petroleum from that or any other well;

but when the Licensee does any flaring which is necessary as aforesaid he shall forthwith inform the Minister that he has done it and shall, in the case of flaring to maintain a flow of petroleum, stop the flaring upon being directed by the Minister to stop it.

(6) The Licensee shall give notice to the Minister of any event causing escape or waste of petroleum, damage to petroleum bearing strata or entrance of water through wells to petroleum bearing strata except for the purposes of secondary recovery forthwith after the occurrence of that event and shall, forthwith after the occurrence of any event causing escape of petroleum into the sea, give notice of the event to the Chief Inspector of Her Majesty’s Coastguard.

(7) The Licensee shall comply with any reasonable instructions from time to time given by the Minister with a view to ensuring that funds are available to discharge any liability for damage attributable to the release or escape of petroleum in the course of activities connected with the exercise of rights granted by this licence; but where the Minister proposes to give such instructions he shall before giving them—

(a) give the Licensee particulars of the proposal and an opportunity of making representations to the Minister about the proposal; and

(b) consider any representations then made to him by the Licensee about the proposal.

Commencement Information

I21 Sch. 3 clause 21 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Appointment of operators U.K.

22.—(1) The Licensee shall ensure that another person (including, in the case where the Licensee is two or more persons, any of those persons) does not exercise any function of organising or supervising all or any of the operations of searching or boring for or getting petroleum in pursuance of this licence unless that other person is a person approved in writing by the Minister and the function in question is one to which that approval relates.

(2) The Minister shall not refuse to give his approval of a person in pursuance of paragraph (1) of this clause if that person is competent to exercise the function in question, but where an approved person is no longer competent to exercise that function the Minister may, by notice in writing given to the Licensee, revoke his approval.

Commencement Information

I22 Sch. 3 clause 22 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Fishing and navigation U.K.

23.  The Licensee shall not carry out any operations authorised by this licence in or about the licensed area in such manner as to interfere unjustifiably with—

(a) navigation in any navigable waters; or

(b) fishing in, or conservation of the living resources of any waters in or in the vicinity of the licensed area.

Commencement Information

I23 Sch. 3 clause 23 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Training U.K.

24.—(1) The Minister may from time to time give to the Licensee instructions in writing as to the training of persons employed or to be employed, whether by the Licensee or by any other person, in any activity which is related to the exercise of the rights granted by this licence and the Licensee shall ensure that any instructions so given are complied with.

(2) The Minister shall not give instructions in pursuance of paragraph (1) of this clause unless he has consulted as to the provisions proposed to be included in such instructions the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation Limited or such other body of a like nature as may from time to time be carrying on activities of a substantially similar kind to those performed by the said Organisation.

(3) The Licensee shall furnish the Minister with such information relating to the training of persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this clause as the Minister may from time to time request.

Commencement Information

I24 Sch. 3 clause 24 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Unit development U.K.

25.—(1) If at any time in which this licence is in force the Minister shall be satisfied that the strata in the licensed area or any part thereof form part of a single geological petroleum structure or petroleum field (hereinafter referred to as “an oil field”) other parts whereof are formed by strata in areas in respect of which other licences granted in pursuance of the Act of 1934 or of that Act as applied by the Act of 1964 are then in force, and the Minister shall consider that it is in the national interest in order to secure the maximum ultimate recovery of petroleum and in order to avoid unnecessary competitive drilling that the oil field should be worked and developed as a unit in co-operation by all persons including the Licensee whose licences extend to or include any part thereof, the following provisions of this clause shall apply.

(2) Upon being so required by notice in writing by the Minister the Licensee shall co-operate with such other persons, being persons holding licences under the Act of 1934 or that Act as applied by the Act of 1964 in respect of any part or parts of the oil field (hereinafter referred to as “the other Licensees”) as may be specified in the said notice, in the preparation of a scheme (hereinafter referred to as “a development scheme”) for the working and development of the oil field as a unit by the Licensee and the other Licensees in co-operation, and shall, jointly with the other Licensees, submit such scheme for the approval of the Minister.

(3) The said notice shall also contain or refer to a description of the area or areas in respect of which the Minister requires a development scheme to be submitted and shall state the period within which such scheme is to be submitted for approval by the Minister.

(4) If a development scheme shall not be submitted to the Minister within the period so stated or if a development scheme so submitted shall not be approved by the Minister, the Minister may himself prepare a development scheme which shall be fair and equitable to the Licensee and all other Licensees, and the Licensee shall perform and observe all the terms and conditions thereof.

(5) If the Licensee shall object to any such development scheme prepared by the Minister he may within 28 days from the date on which notice in writing of the said scheme shall have been given to him by the Minister refer the matter to arbitration in the manner provided by clause 39 of this licence.

Commencement Information

I25 Sch. 3 clause 25 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Licensee to keep records U.K.

26.—(1) The Licensee shall keep accurate records in a form from time to time approved by the Minister of the drilling, deepening, plugging or abandonment of all wells and of any alterations in the casing thereof. Such records shall contain particulars of the following matters—

(a) the site of, number and name (if any) assigned to every well;

(b) the subsoil and strata through which the well was drilled;

(c) the casing inserted in any well and any alteration to such casing;

(d) any petroleum, water, mines or workable seams of coal encountered; and

(e) such other matters as the Minister may from time to time direct.

(2) The Licensee shall keep in the United Kingdom accurate geological plans and maps relating to the licensed area and such other records in relation thereto as may be necessary to preserve all information which the Licensee has about the geology of the licensed area.

(3) The Licensee shall deliver copies of the said records, plans and maps referred to in the two foregoing paragraphs to the Minister when requested to do so either—

(a) within any time limit specified in the request; or

(b) if there is no time limit specified, within four weeks of the request.

Commencement Information

I26 Sch. 3 clause 26 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Returns U.K.

27.—(1) The Licensee shall furnish to the Minister not later than 6 weeks after the end of each calendar year which falls wholly or partly within the period during which this licence is in force a return in a form from time to time approved by the Minister of the progress of his operations in the licensed area. Such return shall contain—

(a) a statement of all geological work, including surveys and tests, which has been carried out and the areas in which and the persons by whom the work has been carried out and the results thereof,

(b) the number and name (if any) assigned to each well, and in the case of any well the drilling of which was begun or the number of which has been changed during the period to which the return relates, the site thereof,

(c) a statement of the depth drilled in each well;

(d) a statement of any petroleum, water, mines or workable seams of coal or other minerals encountered in the course of the said operations; and

(e) a statement of all petroleum won and saved.

(2) Within two months after the end of each calendar year in which this licence is in force and within two months after the expiration or determination of this licence or any renewal thereof the Licensee shall furnish to the Minister an annual return in a form from time to time approved by the Minister of the operations conducted in the licensed area during that year or the period prior to such expiration or determination as the case may be together with a plan upon a scale approved by the Minister showing the situation of all wells. The Licensee shall also indicate on the said plan all development and other works executed by him in connection with searching, boring for or getting petroleum.

(3) The Licensee shall furnish the Minister with such information as the Minister may from time to time request about any aspect of the activities of the Licensee which are attributable directly or indirectly to the grant of this licence, except that the Licensee shall not by virtue of this paragraph be required to furnish information in respect of his activities in connection with any crude oil after he has appropriated it for refining by him.

(4) The licensee shall comply with any request for information made in accordance with paragraph (3) above either—

(a) within any time limit specified in the request; or

(b) if there is no time limit specified, within four weeks of the request.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (3) of this clause any reference to the Minister shall be construed as if it included a reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Commencement Information

I27 Sch. 3 clause 27 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Licensee to keep samples U.K.

28.—(1) As far as reasonably practicable the Licensee shall correctly label and preserve for reference for a period of five years samples of the strata encountered in any well (including, where the site of such well is on land covered by water, the surface of such land) and samples of any petroleum or water discovered in any well in the licensed area.

(2) The Licensee shall not dispose of any sample unless—

(a) he has at least six months before the date of the disposal given notice in writing to the Minister of his intention to dispose of the sample; and

(b) the Minister or any person authorised by him has not within the said period of six months informed the Licensee in writing that he wishes the sample to be delivered to him.

(3) The Minister or any person authorised by him shall be entitled at any time—

(a) to inform the Licensee in writing that he wishes part of any sample preserved by the Licensee to be delivered to him; or

(b) to inspect and analyse any sample preserved by the Licensee.

(4) The Licensee shall forthwith comply with any request for the delivery of the whole or any part of any sample which is made in accordance with the preceding provisions of this clause.

Commencement Information

I28 Sch. 3 clause 28 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Reports to be treated as confidential U.K.

29.  All records, returns, plans, maps, samples, accounts and information (in this clause referred to as “the specified data”) which the Licensee is or may be from time to time required to furnish under the provisions of this licence shall be supplied at the expense of the Licensee and shall not (except with the consent in writing of the Licensee which shall not be unreasonably withheld) be disclosed to any person not in the service or employment of the Crown:

Provided that—

(i) the Minister shall be entitled at any time to make use of any of the specified data for the purpose of preparing and publishing such returns and reports as may be required of the Minister by law;

(ii) the Minister shall be entitled at any time to furnish any of the specified data to the Natural Environment Research Council and to any other body of a like nature as may from time to time be carrying on activities of a substantially similar kind to the geological activities at present carried on by the said Council;

(iii) the Minister, the said Council and any such other body shall be entitled at any time to prepare and publish reports and surveys of a general nature using information derived from any of the specified data;

(iv) the Minister, the said Council and any such other body shall be entitled to publish any of the specified data of a geological, scientific or technical kind either—

(a) after the expiration of the period of five years beginning with the date when the data was due to be supplied to the Minister in accordance with clause 26 or 27 of this licence, or if earlier, the date when the Minister received that data; or

(b) after the expiration of such longer period as the Minister may determine after considering any representations made to him by the Licensee about the publication of data in pursuance of this sub-paragraph.

Commencement Information

I29 Sch. 3 clause 29 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Inspection of records, etc. U.K.

30.  The Licensee shall—

(a) permit any person in the service or employment of the Crown who is appointed by the Minister for the purpose to inspect, and to take copies of and make notes from, all books, papers, maps and other records of any kind kept by the Licensee in pursuance of this licence or in connection with activities about which the Minister is entitled to obtain information in pursuance of clauses 24(3) and 27(3) of this licence; and

(b) furnish that person at reasonable times with such information and provide him at reasonable times with such reasonable assistance as he may request in connection with or arising out of an inspection in pursuance of this clause.

Commencement Information

I30 Sch. 3 clause 30 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Rights of access U.K.

31.  Any person or persons authorised by the Minister shall be entitled at all reasonable times to enter into and upon any land for the time being possessed or occupied by the Licensee in the licensed area or to enter into and upon any of the Licensee’s installations or equipment used or to be used in connection with searching, boring for or getting petroleum in the licensed area for the purposes hereinafter mentioned—

(a) to examine the installations, wells, plant, appliances and works made or executed by the Licensee in pursuance of the licence and the state of repair and condition thereof, and

(b) to execute any works or to provide and install any equipment which the Minister may be entitled to execute or provide and install in accordance with the provisions hereof.

Commencement Information

I31 Sch. 3 clause 31 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Power to execute works U.K.

32.  If the Licensee shall at any time fail to perform the obligations arising under the terms and conditions of any of clauses 12, 17, 20 or 21 of this licence, the Minister shall be entitled, after giving to the Licensee reasonable notice in writing of his intention to do so, to execute any works and to provide and install any equipment which in the opinion of the Minister may be necessary to secure the performance of the said obligations or any of them and to recover the costs and expenses of so doing from the Licensee.

Commencement Information

I32 Sch. 3 clause 32 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Right of distress U.K.

33.  If and whenever any of the payments mentioned in clause 9(1) of this licence or any part thereof shall be in arrear or unpaid for 28 days next after any of the days whereon the same ought to be paid (whether the same shall have been legally demanded or not) then and so often as the same may happen the Minister may (as an additional remedy and without prejudice to the power of distress and any other rights and remedies to which he would be entitled) enter into and upon any land which shall for the time being be possessed or occupied by the Licensee for the purposes of the licence or the exercise of any of the rights thereby granted or into and upon any of the Licensee’s installations and equipment used or to be used in connection with searching, boring for or getting petroleum in the licensed area and may seize and distrain and sell as a landlord may do for rent in arrear all or any of the stocks of petroleum, engines, machinery, tools, implements, chattels and effects belonging to the Licensee which shall be found in or upon or about the land installations and equipment so entered upon and out of the moneys arising from the sale of such distress may retain and pay all the arrears of the said payments and also the costs and expenses incident to any such distress and sale rendering the surplus (if any) to the Licensee.

Note:When the licensed area is situate in Scotland or in waters adjacent thereto the following provision will be substituted for the foregoing clause.

Commencement Information

I33 Sch. 3 clause 33 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

34.  If and whenever any of the payments mentioned in clause 9(1) of this licence or any part thereof shall be in arrear or unpaid for 28 days next after any of the days whereon the same ought to be paid (whether the same shall have been legally demanded or not) then and so often as the same may happen the Minister may (as an additional remedy and without prejudice to any other rights and remedies to which he would be entitled) do diligence in respect thereof in like manner as a landlord may do diligence in respect of unpaid arrears of rent and such diligence shall be effectual to attach all or any of the stocks of petroleum, engines, machinery, tools, implements and other effects belonging to the Licensee which shall be found in or upon any land which shall for the time being be possessed or occupied by the Licensee for the purposes of the licence or the exercise of any of the rights thereby granted, or on or about any of the Licensee’s installations and equipment used or to be used in connection with searching, boring for or getting petroleum in the licensed area, and where in pursuance of such a diligence a sale of such effects as shall have been attached thereby takes place the Minister may out of the proceeds thereof retain and pay all the arrears of the said payments and also the expenses of and incident to such diligence and sale and shall pay the surplus thereof (if any) to the Licensee.

Commencement Information

I33 Sch. 3 clause 33 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

I34 Sch. 3 clause 34 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Indemnity against third party claims U.K.

35.  The Licensee shall at all times keep the Minister effectually indemnified against all actions, proceedings, costs, charges, claims and demands whatsoever which may be made or brought against the Minister by any third party in relation to or in connection with this licence or any matter or thing done or purported to be done in pursuance thereof.

Commencement Information

I35 Sch. 3 clause 35 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Advertisements, prospectuses, etc. U.K.

36.  No statement shall be made either in any notice, advertisement, prospectus or other document issued by or to the knowledge of the Licensee or in any other manner claiming or suggesting whether expressly or by implication that Her Majesty or any Government Department or any person or body acting on behalf of Her Majesty has or have formed or expressed any opinion that the licensed area is from its geological formation or otherwise one in which petroleum is likely to be obtainable.

Commencement Information

I36 Sch. 3 clause 36 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Restrictions on assignment, etc. U.K.

37.—(1) The Licensee shall not, except with the consent in writing of the Minister and in accordance with the conditions (if any) of the consent do anything whatsoever whereby, under the law (including the rules of equity) of any part of the United Kingdom or of any other place, any right granted by this licence or derived from a right so granted becomes exercisable by or for the benefit of or in accordance with the directions of another person.

(2) The Licensee shall not enter into any agreement providing for a person other than the Licensee to become entitled to, or to any proceeds of sale of, any petroleum which, at the time when the agreement is made, has not been but may be won and saved from the licensed area unless the terms of the agreement have been approved in writing by the Minister either unconditionally or subject to conditions, but the preceding provisions of this paragraph do not apply to—

(a) an agreement for the sale of such petroleum under which the price is payable after the petroleum is won and saved; and

(b) an agreement in so far as it provides that, after any petroleum has been won and saved from the licensed area, it shall be exchanged for other petroleum.

(3) The Licensee shall not, without the consent of the Minister, dispose of any petroleum won and saved in the licensed area or any proceeds of sale of such petroleum in such a manner that the disposal does, to the knowledge of the Licensee or without his knowing it, fulfil or enable another person to fulfil obligations which a person who controls the Licensee, or a person who is controlled by a person who controls the Licensee, is required to fulfil by an agreement which, if the person required to fulfil the obligations were the Licensee, would be an agreement of which the terms require approval by virtue of paragraph (2) of this clause.

(4) Whether for the purposes of paragraph (3) of this clause a person has control of another person shall be determined as if subsections (2) and (4) to (6) of section 416 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 applied subject to the following modifications, namely—

(a) for the words “the greater part” wherever they occur in the said subsection (2) there were substituted the words “one-third or more”; and

(b) in the said subsection (6), for the word “may” there were substituted the word “shall”, the words from “and such attributions” onwards were omitted and in the other provisions of that subsection any reference to an associate of a person fell to be construed as including only a relative of his (as defined by section 417(4) of that Act), a partner of his and a trustee of a settlement (as defined by section 681(4) of that Act) of which he is a beneficiary.

(5) Where the Licensee is two or more persons, then, without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this clause, none of those persons shall enter into an agreement with respect to the entitlement of any of them to—

(a) the benefit of any right granted by this licence;

(b) any petroleum won and saved from the licensed area; or

(c) any proceeds of sale of such petroleum,

unless the terms of the agreement have been approved in writing by the Minister, but the preceding provisions of this paragraph do not apply to an agreement for the sale of such petroleum under which the price is payable after the petroleum is won and saved and an agreement in so far as it provides that, after any petroleum has been won and saved from the licensed area, it shall be exchanged for other petroleum.

Commencement Information

I37 Sch. 3 clause 37 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Power of revocation U.K.

38.—(1) If any of the events specified in the following paragraph shall occur then and in any such case the Minister may revoke this licence and thereupon the same and all the rights hereby granted shall cease and determine but subject nevertheless and without prejudice to any obligation or liability incurred by the Licensee or imposed upon him by or under the terms and conditions hereof.

(2) The events referred to in the foregoing paragraph are—

(a) any payments mentioned in clause 9(1) of this licence or any part thereof being in arrear or unpaid for two months next after any of the days whereon the same ought to have been paid;

(b) any breach or non-observance by the Licensee of any of the terms and conditions of this licence;

(c) the bankruptcy of the Licensee;

(d) the making by the Licensee of any arrangement or composition with his creditors;

(e) if the Licensee is a company, the appointment of a receiver or any liquidation whether compulsory or voluntary;

(f) any breach or non-observance by the Licensee of the terms and conditions of a development scheme;

(g) if the Licensee is a company, the Licensee’s ceasing to direct and control either—

(i) its operations under the licence; or

(ii) any commercial activities in connection with those operations

from a fixed place within the United Kingdom;

(h) any breach of a condition subject to which the Minister gave his approval in pursuance of clause 37(2) of this licence;

(i) any breach of clause 37(5) of this licence;

and where two or more persons are the Licensee any reference to the Licensee in sub-paragraphs (c) to (g) of this paragraph is a reference to any of those persons.

(3) The Minister may revoke this licence, with the like consequences as are mentioned in paragraph (1) of this clause, if—

(a) the Licensee is a company;

(b) there is a change in the control of the Licensee;

(c) the Minister serves notice in writing on the Licensee stating that the Minister proposes to revoke this licence in pursuance of this paragraph unless such a further change in the control of the Licensee as is specified in the notice takes place within the period of three months beginning with the date of service of the notice; and

(d) that further change does not take place within that period.

(4) There is a change in the control of the Licensee for the purposes of paragraph (3)(b) of this clause whenever a person has control of the Licensee who did not have control of the Licensee when this licence was granted; and whether for the purposes of paragraph (3)(b) of this clause a person has control of another person shall be determined as if subsections (2) and (4) to (6) of section 416 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 applied subject to the following modifications, namely—

(a) for the words “the greater part” wherever they occur in the said subsection (2) there were substituted the words “one-third or more”; and

(b) in the said subsection (6), for the word “may” there were substituted the word “shall”, the words from “and such attributions” onwards were omitted and in the other provisions of that subsection any reference to an associate of a person fell to be construed as including only a relative of his (as defined by section 417(4) of that Act), a partner of his and a trustee of a settlement (as defined by section 681(4) of that Act) of which he is a beneficiary.

(5) Where two or more persons are the Licensee and any of them is a company, paragraphs (3) and (4) of this clause shall have effect as if—

(a) sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (3) were omitted;

(b) in sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph, after the word “of” there were inserted the words “any company included among the persons who together constitute”; and

(c) for the word “Licensee” in any other provision of those paragraphs there were substituted the word “company”.

Commencement Information

I38 Sch. 3 clause 38 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1

Arbitration U.K.

39.—(1) If at any time any dispute, difference or question shall arise between the Minister and the Licensee as to any matter arising under or by virtue of this licence or as to their respective rights and liabilities in respect thereof then the same shall, except where it is expressly provided by this licence that the matter or thing to which the same relates is to be determined, decided, directed, approved or consented to by the Minister, be referred to arbitration as provided by the following paragraph.

(2) The arbitration referred to in the foregoing paragraph shall be in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1950 by a single arbitrator who, in default of agreement between the Minister and the Licensee and, in the case of arbitration in relation to a development scheme, other Licensees affected by that scheme, as to his appointment, shall be appointed by the Lord Chief Justice of England for the time being.

• Note:Where the licensed area is situate in Scotland or in waters adjacent thereto the following provisions will be substituted for the last two foregoing paragraphs.

(2A) The arbitration referred to in the foregoing paragraph shall be by a single arbiter who, in default of agreement between the Minister and the Licensee and, in the case of arbitration relating to a development scheme, other Licensees affected by that scheme, as to his appointment, shall be appointed by the Lord President of the Court of Session.

(3) In the case of any such arbitration which relates to a development scheme the Licensee shall, unless the arbitrator otherwise determines, perform and observe the terms and conditions of the development scheme pending the decision of the arbitrator.

Note:In any licence incorporating paragraph (2A) in substitution for paragraph (2) of this clause, the paragraph (3A) following will be substituted for the foregoing paragraph (3).

(3A) In the case of any such arbitration which relates to a development scheme the Licensee shall, unless the arbiter otherwise determines, perform and observe the terms and conditions of the development scheme pending the decision of the arbiter.

Note:Schedules to each Licence will (1) identify the blocks to which the licence relates, (2) provide for the payment by the Licensee of sums which may include initial payments on the grant of the Licence and annual payments payable in advance, (3) specify the rate at which royalty is to be assessed and (4) set out working obligations.

Licences will be executed as deeds in duplicate by all parties thereto.

Commencement Information

I39 Sch. 3 clause 39 in force at 30.6.1995, see reg. 1