Minister: Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals
Agencies: Department of Resources, Resources Safety and Health Queensland

Minister: Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment
Agency: Queensland Treasury


Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004


Queensland Crest
Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004

An Act about exploring for, recovering and transporting by pipeline, petroleum and fuel gas and ensuring the safe and efficient carrying out of those activities, and for other purposes

Chapter 1 Preliminary

Part 1 Introduction

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004.

2Commencement

(1)Section 968, to the extent it inserts part 19, division 6, subdivisions 1 and 2 in the Mineral Resources Act commences on the date of assent.
(2)Otherwise, this Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.

Part 2 Purpose and application of Act

3Main purpose of Act

(1)The main purpose of this Act is to facilitate and regulate the carrying out of responsible petroleum activities and the development of a safe, efficient and viable petroleum and fuel gas industry, in a way that—
(a)manages the State’s petroleum resources—
(i)in a way that has regard to the need for ecologically sustainable development; and
(ii)for the benefit of all Queenslanders; and
(b)enhances knowledge of the State’s petroleum resources; and
(c)creates an effective and efficient regulatory system for the carrying out of petroleum activities and the use of petroleum and fuel gas; and
(d)encourages and maintains an appropriate level of competition in the carrying out of petroleum activities; and
(e)creates an effective and efficient regulatory system for the construction and operation of pipelines; and
(f)ensures petroleum activities are carried on in a way that minimises conflict with other land uses; and
(g)optimises coal seam gas production and coal or oil shale mining in a safe and efficient way; and
(h)appropriately compensates owners or occupiers of land; and
(i)encourages responsible land management in the carrying out of petroleum activities; and
(j)facilitates constructive consultation with people affected by activities authorised under this Act; and
(k)regulates and promotes the safety of persons in relation to operating plant.
(2)In this section—
petroleum activities means—
(a)the exploration, distillation, production, processing, refining, storage and transport of petroleum; and
(b)the distillation, production, processing, refining, storage and transport of fuel gas; and
(c)authorised activities for petroleum authorities; and
(d)other activities authorised under this Act for petroleum authorities.

s 3 amd 2009 No. 3 s 534; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1; 2014 No. 47 s 596

3AOther purposes of Act

(1)Other purposes of this Act are—
(a)to facilitate the operation of the Geothermal Energy Act 2010 (the Geothermal Act) and the Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2009 (the GHG storage Act); and
(b)to facilitate and regulate, as a key authorised activity for pipeline licences, the construction and operation of pipelines for regulated hydrogen in a way that is safe, effective and efficient.
(2)The Geothermal Act is facilitated by—
(a)applying provisions of this Act about safety to particular authorised activities for geothermal tenures under that Act; and
(b)applying provisions of this Act about investigations and some of its provisions about enforcement for that Act.
(3)The GHG storage Act is facilitated by—
(a)providing for survey licences to be able to be granted for potential pipelines for GHG streams; and
(b)providing for pipeline licences to be able to granted for GHG streams; and
(c)applying provisions of this Act about safety to particular authorised activities for authorities under that Act; and
(d)applying provisions of this Act about investigations and some of its provisions about enforcement for that Act.

s 3A ins 2009 No. 3 s 535

amd 2010 No. 31 s 545; 2023 No. 25 s 12

4Act binds all persons

(1)This Act binds all persons, including the State, and, to the extent the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Commonwealth and the other States.
(2)However, the Commonwealth or a State can not be prosecuted for an offence against this Act.

5Application of Act to coastal waters of the State

(1)This Act applies to the coastal waters of the State as if the coastal waters of the State were part of the State.
(2)However, this Act does not apply to the adjacent area under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982.

s 5 amd 2006 No. 31 s 10; 2010 No. 17 s 76

6Relationship with Mineral Resources Act

(1)This section does not apply to a coal or oil shale mining tenement.

Note—

See also the Mineral Resources Act, section 3A (Relationship with petroleum legislation).

For the relationship between this Act and the Mineral Resources Act in relation to coal or oil shale mining tenements, see chapter 3 (Provisions for coal seam gas).

(2)The Mineral Resources Act does not limit or otherwise affect—
(a)the power to grant or renew a petroleum authority over land (the overlapping land) in the area of a mining tenement; or
(b)a petroleum authority already granted over land (also the overlapping land) in the area of an existing mining tenement.
(3)However—
(a)if the petroleum authority is a pipeline licence or petroleum facility licence—it is subject to section 400 or 440; and
(b)if the petroleum authority is another type of petroleum authority—it is subject to subsections (4) to (6).
(4)If the mining tenement is a mining lease (other than a transportation mining lease), an authorised activity for the petroleum authority may be carried out on the overlapping land only if—
(a)the mining lease holder has agreed in writing to the carrying out of the activity; and
(b)a copy of the agreement has been lodged; and

Note—

For other relevant provisions about lodging documents, see section 851AA.
(c)the agreement is still in force.
(5)If the mining tenement is an exploration permit, mineral development licence or transportation mining lease and the petroleum authority is an authority to prospect, an authorised activity for the petroleum authority may be carried out on the overlapping land only if—
(a)the mining tenement holder has agreed in writing to the carrying out of the activity, a copy of the agreement has been lodged and the agreement is still in force; or
(b)carrying out the activity does not adversely affect the carrying out of an authorised activity for the tenement that has already started.
(6)If the mining tenement is an exploration permit or a mineral development licence and the petroleum authority is a petroleum lease, an authorised activity for the mining tenement may be carried out on the overlapping land only if—
(a)the petroleum lease holder has agreed in writing to the carrying out of the activity; and
(b)a copy of the agreement has been lodged; and
(c)the agreement is still in force.
(7)In this section—
transportation mining lease means a mining lease granted under the Mineral Resources Act, section 316.

s 6 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

6ARelationship with Nature Conservation Act 1992

This Act is subject to the Nature Conservation Act 1992, sections 27 and 70QA.

s 6A ins 2004 No. 26 s 70

amd 2005 No. 53 s 159 sch

6BRelationship with Geothermal Act and GHG storage Act

The relationship between this Act, the Geothermal Act and the GHG storage Act and authorities under them is provided for under—
(a)chapter 3A; and
(b)the Geothermal Act, chapter 5; and
(c)the GHG storage Act, chapter 4.

s 6B ins 2009 No. 3 s 536

sub 2010 No. 31 s 546

6BA Relationship with Common Provisions Act

The relationship between this Act and the Common Provisions Act is provided for under the Common Provisions Act, section 6.

s 6BA ins 2014 No. 47 s 536

6CDeclaration for Commonwealth Act

A petroleum authority is declared not to be personal property under the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cwlth).

s 6C ins 2010 No. 44 s 131

7Act does not affect other rights or remedies

(1)Subject to sections 294, 563A and 856 and chapter 3, part 8, this Act does not affect or limit a civil right or remedy that exists apart from this Act, whether at common law or otherwise.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), compliance with this Act does not necessarily show that a civil obligation that exists apart from this Act has been satisfied or has not been breached.
(3)In addition, a breach of an obligation under this Act does not, of itself, give rise to an action for breach of statutory duty or another civil right or remedy.
(4)This Act does not limit a court’s powers under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 or another law.

s 7 amd 2010 No. 31 s 479

8Native title

(1)This section applies for applying this Act to land where native title exists.
(2)A native title holder within the meaning of the Commonwealth Native Title Act, section 224 has the procedural and other rights that the holder has under that Act.
(3)Subsection (2) applies despite any other provision of this Act.

Part 3 Interpretation

Division 1 Dictionary

9Definitions

The dictionary in schedule 2 defines particular words used in this Act.

Division 2 Key definitions

10Meaning of petroleum

(1)Petroleum is—
(a)a substance consisting of hydrocarbons that occur naturally in the earth’s crust; or
(b)a substance necessarily extracted or produced as a by-product of extracting or producing a hydrocarbon mentioned in paragraph (a); or
(c)a fluid that—
(i)is extracted or produced from coal or oil shale by a chemical or thermal process or that is a by-product of that process; and
(ii)consists of, or includes, hydrocarbons; or

Example of a fluid that is petroleum under paragraph (c)—

mineral (f)
(d)another substance prescribed under a regulation, consisting of, or including, hydrocarbons; or
(e)a gas, that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust, as prescribed under a regulation.
(2)A substance mentioned in subsection (1)(c) is a gasification or retorting product.
(3)To remove any doubt, it is declared that petroleum does not include any of the following—
(a)alginite;
(b)coal;
(c)lignite;
(d)peat;
(e)oil shale;
(f)torbanite;
(g)water.
(4)A substance does not cease to be petroleum merely because it is injected or reinjected into a natural underground reservoir.
(5)To remove any doubt, it is declared that, for this Act and petroleum authorities under it, this section preserves, for this Act, the effect of section 150(2) and (3) of the 1923 Act.
(6)In this section—
hydrocarbon means a hydrocarbon in a gaseous, liquid, or solid state.

s 10 amd 2008 No. 33 s 118; 2011 No. 2 s 121

11Meaning of LPG, fuel gas and hydrogen gas blend

(1)LPG, also called ‘LP gas’ and ‘liquefied petroleum gas’, is a substance that—
(a)is in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure; and
(b)is predominately propane, propylene or butane; and
(c)has been processed to be suitable for use by consumers.
(2)Fuel gas is—
(a)LPG; or
(b)processed natural gas; or
(c)hydrogen, or a hydrogen gas blend, used or intended to be used as a fuel to produce heat, light or power; or
(d)another substance prescribed by regulation that is similar to LPG or processed natural gas.
(3)A hydrogen gas blend is processed natural gas and hydrogen that have been blended together.
(4)In this section—
processed natural gas means a substance that—
(a)is in a gaseous state at standard temperature and pressure; and
(b)consists of hydrocarbons that occur naturally and other substances; and
(c)is more than half, by volume, methane; and
(d)has been processed to be suitable for use by consumers of fuel gas.
standard temperature and pressure means an absolute pressure of 101.325kPa at a temperature of 15ºC.

s 11 amd 2004 No. 26 s 71; 2005 No. 3 s 47; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2023 No. 25 s 13

11AMeaning of regulated hydrogen

Regulated hydrogen is—
(a)hydrogen; or
(b)a hydrogen gas blend; or
(c)another substance prescribed by regulation that is involved in, or produced for, a process related to the storage or transport of hydrogen.

s 11A ins 2023 No. 25 s 14

12What is a prescribed storage gas

A prescribed storage gas is any of the following—
(a)a gas associated with, or that results from, petroleum production;

Example—

fuel gas produced at a processing plant
(b)another gas prescribed under a regulation as being suitable for storage in a natural underground reservoir.

Example of gases suitable for storage in a natural underground reservoir—

gases produced from a waste disposal tip

s 12 amd 2008 No. 33 s 119

13What is a natural underground reservoir

(1)A natural underground reservoir is a part of a geological formation or structure—
(a)in which petroleum or another gas prescribed under a regulation has accumulated; or
(b)that is suitable to store petroleum or a prescribed storage gas.
(2)A geological formation or structure mentioned in subsection (1) does not cease to be a natural underground reservoir merely because it has been modified for petroleum production or storage or to store a prescribed storage gas.
(3)In this section—
geological formation includes a coal seam.

14What is exploring for petroleum

Exploring, for petroleum, is carrying out an activity for the purpose of finding petroleum or natural underground reservoirs.

Examples—

conducting a geochemical, geological or geophysical survey
drilling a well
carrying out testing in relation to a well
taking a sample for chemical or other analysis

15When petroleum is produced

(1)Petroleum is produced when it is—
(a)recovered to ground level from a natural underground reservoir in which it has been contained; or
(b)released to ground level from a natural underground reservoir from which it is extracted.
(2)If, under the Mineral Resources Act a coal or oil shale mining lease holder mines coal seam gas, for this Act, the lease holder produces it.

s 15 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 161; 2011 No. 2 s 101

15AWhat is produced water

(1)Produced water is—
(a)CSG water; or
(b)associated water for a petroleum tenure.
(2)A reference to produced water includes—
(a)treated and untreated CSG water; and
(b)concentrated saline water produced during the treatment of CSG water.

s 15A ins 2012 No. 20 s 76

16What is a pipeline

(1)A pipeline is a pipe, or system of pipes, for transporting—
(a)generally—petroleum, fuel gas, produced water, prescribed storage gases or regulated hydrogen; and
(b)GHG streams; and
(c)substances prescribed under section 402.

Note—

There is no automatic right to use a pipeline for a substance mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c). A condition of a pipeline licence may extend the licence holder’s rights to include those substances. See sections 401 and 402.
(2)A reference to a pipeline includes—
(a)a part of the pipeline, including the pipeline’s end points; and
(b)a thing connected to or associated with the pipeline that is necessary for its operation.

Examples of things that may be included in a reference to a pipeline—

meter stations, scraper stations, valve stations, pumping stations or compressor stations
plant and equipment, machinery and tanks
corrosion protection apparatus
communications equipment and towers
(3)A pipeline’s end points are—
(a)if the pipeline has not operated for the first time—the points at which a substance mentioned in subsection (1) will enter or exit the pipeline on the day the pipeline first operates; or
(b)otherwise—the points at which the substance enters or exits the pipeline.

s 16 amd 2004 No. 26 s 72; 2009 No. 3 s 537; 2012 No. 20 s 77; 2014 No. 47 s 597; 2023 No. 25 s 15

16AWhat is a distribution pipeline

(1)A distribution pipeline is—
(a)a pipeline that transports fuel gas as part of a reticulation system within a gas market; or
(b)a single point-to-point pipeline that transports fuel gas to—
(i)a place other than a major user facility; or
(ii)another single point-to-point pipeline that transports fuel gas to a place other than a major user facility.
(2)However, a pipeline is not a distribution pipeline if it transports fuel gas to a pipeline mentioned in subsection (1)(a) or (b)(ii).
(3)In this section—
major user facility means—
(a)a facility within the area of a resource authority; or
(b)a facility operated as a place of export for fuel gas, including, for example, a port; or
(c)a facility operated for the liquefaction of fuel gas before it is transported to a facility mentioned in paragraph (b); or
(d)a facility that produces non-organic fertiliser; or
(e)a petroleum facility; or
(f)a power station; or
(g)a smelter.
point-to-point pipeline means a pipeline from a particular point or points to another particular point or points.

s 16A ins 2014 No. 47 s 598

amd 2023 No. 25 s 16

17What is a petroleum facility

A petroleum facility is a facility for the distillation, processing, refining, storage or transport of petroleum, other than a distribution pipeline.

Examples of things that may be a petroleum facility—

a storage depot
a meter station
a petroleum processing plant
an oil refinery
an LPG separation plant

s 17 amd 2018 No. 24 s 200

18Types of authority under Act

(1)The following are the types of authority under this Act—
(a)an authority to prospect
(i)granted under section 41; or
(ii)continued in force under section 83 or 119; or
(iii)renewed under section 84;
(b)a petroleum lease
(i)granted under section 120, 132, 340 or 356 or chapter 15; or
(ii)continued in force under section 163; or
(iii)renewed under section 164;
(c)a data acquisition authority, granted under section 178;
(d)a water monitoring authority granted under section 192;
(e)a survey licence granted under section 396;
(f)a pipeline licence
(i)granted under section 410; or
(ii)continued in force under section 481; or
(iii)renewed under section 482;
(g)a petroleum facility licence
(i)granted under section 446; or
(ii)continued in force under section 481; or
(iii)renewed under section 482;
(h)a gas work licence granted under chapter 9, part 6, division 3, subdivision 1;
(i)a gas work authorisation granted under chapter 9, part 6, division 3, subdivision 1;
(j)a gas device approval authority granted under chapter 9, part 6A, division 2.
(2)The authorities, other than a gas work licence, gas work authorisation or gas device approval authority, are collectively referred to as a petroleum authority.
(3)Authorities to prospect and petroleum leases are collectively referred to as a petroleum tenure.
(4)Survey licences, pipeline licences and petroleum facility licences are collectively referred to as a licence.

s 18 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2019 No. 7 s 275

19Who is an eligible person

An eligible person is—
(a)an adult; or
(b)a company or a registered body under the Corporations Act; or
(c)a government owned corporation.

20What are the conditions of a petroleum authority

(1)The conditions of a petroleum authority are—
(a)the conditions stated in it from time to time; and
(b)the authority holder’s obligations under chapters 2 to 5; and
(c)any condition of the authority under chapters 2 to 5; and
(d)a condition that an authority holder must ensure each person acting for the holder who carries out an authorised activity for the authority complies with its conditions to the extent they apply to the carrying out of the activity.

Note—

For who may carry out an authorised activity for the holder, see section 563.
(2)A condition mentioned in subsection (1)(b) or (c) is a mandatory condition of the authority.

Note—

If a Coordinator-General’s condition applies to a petroleum lease, pipeline licence or petroleum facility licence, or proposed petroleum lease, pipeline licence or petroleum facility licence, for a coordinated project, and the condition conflicts with a mandatory condition for that type of petroleum authority, the Coordinator-General’s condition prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. See sections 123A, 412A and 447A.

s 20 amd 2004 No. 26 s 73; 2005 No. 57 s 3; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 43 s 325 sch 2

21What are the provisions of a petroleum authority

(1)A reference in this Act to an authority under this Act includes a reference to its provisions.
(2)A reference in this Act to the provisions of the authority is a reference to its mandatory or other conditions and any thing written in it.

22What is an authorised activity

(1)An authorised activity, for a petroleum authority, is an activity that its holder is, under this Act or the authority, entitled to carry out in relation to the authority.

Notes—

1The provisions of the authority may restrict the carrying out of authorised activities. See sections 42, 85, 123, 165, 178, 396, 412, 447, 484 and 790(3).
2The carrying out of authorised activities is subject to the restrictions and the authority holder’s rights and obligations under chapters 2 to 5. See section 562.
3The carrying out of particular activities on particular land in a petroleum authority’s area may not be authorised following the taking of the land under a resumption law. See section 30AB.
4For who may carry out an authorised activity for a petroleum authority holder, see section 563.
(2)An authorised activity, for a coal or oil shale mining tenement, is an activity that its holder is, under the Mineral Resources Act or the tenement, entitled to carry out or exercise in relation to the tenement.
(3)An authorised activity, for a GHG authority, is an activity that its holder is, under the GHG storage Act or the authority, entitled to carry out or exercise in relation to the authority.
(4)An authorised activity, for a geothermal tenure, is an activity that its holder is, under the Geothermal Act or the tenure, entitled to carry out or exercise in relation to the tenure.

s 22 amd 2009 No. 3 s 538; 2010 No. 31 s 547; 2012 No. 20 s 78

23What is a work program for an authority to prospect

(1)The work program for an authority to prospect is its current initial or later work program approved under chapter 2, part 1, division 3, as amended from time to time under chapter 2, part 1, division 3, subdivision 6.
(2)For subsection (1), the work program is current if the period to which the program applies has started and not ended.

s 23 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 s 121

24What is a development plan for a petroleum lease

(1)The development plan for a petroleum lease is its current initial or later development plan approved under chapter 2, part 2, division 4.
(2)For subsection (1), the development plan is current if the period to which the plan applies has started and has not ended.

s 24 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Division 3 [Repealed]

ch 1 pt 3 div 3 hdg orig ch 1 pt 3 div 3 hdg om 2007 No. 46 s 162

prev ch 1 pt 3 div 3 hdg ins 2010 No. 31 s 480

om 2014 No. 47 s 550

24A[Repealed]

s 24A ins 2010 No. 31 s 480

amd 2010 No. 31 s 544 sch 2 pt 4; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1

om 2014 No. 47 s 550

25[Repealed]

s 25 om 2007 No. 46 s 162

Part 4 Property in petroleum

26Petroleum the property of the State

(1)This section is subject to section 28 and chapter 2, part 6, division 3.
(2)All petroleum as follows is, and always has been, the property of the State—
(a)petroleum on the surface of land, if it was produced in the State;
(b)petroleum in a natural underground reservoir in the State, other than petroleum in the reservoir produced outside the State and injected or reinjected into the reservoir.
(3)To remove any doubt, it is declared that—
(a)a person does not acquire any property in petroleum merely because the person discovers petroleum in a natural underground reservoir; and
(b)subsection (2)(a) applies whether or not the land is freehold or other land; and
(c)subsection (2)(b) applies whether or not the natural underground reservoir is in or under freehold or other land.
(4)This section applies despite any other Act, grant, title or other document in force from the commencement of this section.
(5)In this section—
the State does not include any of the adjacent area under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982.

27Petroleum reservation in land grants

(1)This section applies to each grant under another Act, other than the 1923 Act, of a right—
(a)relating to land that, immediately before the grant, was unallocated State land as defined under the Land Act 1994; and
(b)that is, or was, issued on or after the commencement of the 1923 Act.

Note—

The 1923 Act commenced on 12 November 1923.
(2)The grant is taken to contain a reservation to the State of—
(a)all petroleum on or below the surface of the land; and
(b)the exclusive right to do the following in relation to the land—
(i)to enter and carry out any petroleum-related activity;
(ii)to authorise, under the provisions of this Act or another Act, others to carry out any petroleum-related activity;
(iii)to regulate, under the provisions of this Act or another Act, petroleum-related activities carried out by others.
(3)In this section—
grant, of a right, includes an authority, lease, licence, permit or other instrument of tenure, however called.
petroleum-related activity means any activity that may be carried out under this Act by the holder of any petroleum authority.

s 27 amd 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1

28Property in petroleum produced

(1)If a person produces petroleum, it becomes the person’s property—
(a)if the petroleum is produced under this Act; or
(b)for coal seam gas—if it is mined under the Mineral Resources Act, section 318CM or 747.
(2)However, subsection (1) is subject to—
(a)any coordination arrangement or storage agreement to which the person is a party; and
(b)any order of the Land Court under section 116; and
(c)chapter 2, part 6, division 3.
(3)Subsection (1) does not cease to apply merely because the petroleum is injected or reinjected into a natural underground reservoir.

s 28 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 74, 69 (2) sch; 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

Part 5 General provisions for petroleum authorities

29[Repealed]

s 29 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

om 2020 No. 9 s 44

30Petroleum authority does not create an interest in land

The granting of a petroleum authority does not create an interest in any land.

30AAExtinguishing petroleum interests on the taking of land in a petroleum authority’s area (other than by an easement)

(1)This section applies to the taking of land, other than by taking or otherwise creating an easement, under a resumption law.
(2)Despite any other Act, the taking of land does not extinguish petroleum interests other than to the extent, if any, provided for in the resumption notice for the taking of the land.
(3)The resumption notice for the taking of land may provide for the extinguishment of a petroleum interest on the taking only to the extent the relevant Minister for the taking is satisfied the interest is incompatible with the purpose for which the land is taken.
(4)Without limiting the application of subsection (3), the relevant Minister may be satisfied a petroleum interest is incompatible with the purpose for which the land is taken if, for that purpose, it is necessary to extinguish all interests in the land, including native title rights and interests.
(5)A petroleum interest may be—
(a)wholly extinguished; or
(b)partially extinguished by—
(i)excluding land from the land the subject of the interest; or
(ii)prohibiting the carrying out of activities by the holder of the interest.
(6)The resumption notice for the taking of land may provide for the extinguishment of petroleum interests by reference to either or both of the following—
(a)stated land, which—
(i)may be all or part of the land that is taken; and
(ii)if the stated land is only part of the land that is taken—may be described in the resumption notice in any way, including, for example—
(A)as a shape that does not constitute a block or sub-block; or
(B)by using 3 dimensionally located points to identify the position, shape and dimensions of each boundary;
(b)stated petroleum interests, which may be all petroleum interests or petroleum interests of a particular type.
(7)For the taking of land for which petroleum interests are extinguished as provided by this section—
(a)each person’s interest in an extinguished petroleum interest is converted into a right to claim compensation under the resumption law; and
(b)the resumption law applies with necessary and convenient changes and with the changes mentioned in subsections (8) and (9) and section 30AD.
(8)The notice of intention to resume for the proposed taking of the land must state the extent to which the petroleum interests are proposed to be extinguished.
(9)The entity taking the land must give the chief executive a notice that—
(a)states the details of the extinguishment; and
(b)asks for the extinguishment to be recorded in the register; and
(c)is accompanied by a certified copy of the resumption notice.
(10)In this section—
certified copy, of the resumption notice, means a copy of the original of the notice that has been certified by a justice of the peace as being a correct copy of the original notice.
relevant Minister, for the taking of land under a resumption law, means—
(a)if the land is taken under the process stated in the ALA (whether the land is taken under the ALA or another resumption law)—the Minister to whom the application that the land be taken is made under section 9 of that Act; or
(b)otherwise—the Minister administering the resumption law under which the land is, or is to be, taken.

s 30AA ins 2012 No. 20 s 79

amd 2014 No. 47 s 576

30ABEffect of extinguishment of petroleum interests on the taking of land in a petroleum authority’s area (other than by an easement)

(1)This section applies if, under section 30AA, the resumption notice for the taking of land (other than by taking or otherwise creating an easement) under a resumption law provides for the extinguishment of petroleum interests for stated land.
(2)If the resumption notice states that all petroleum interests relating to the stated land are extinguished and a petroleum interest relates only to the stated land, the interest is wholly extinguished.
(3)If the resumption notice states that all petroleum interests relating to the stated land are extinguished and a petroleum interest relates to the stated land and other land—
(a)the stated land is no longer the subject of the interest; and
(b)without limiting paragraph (a)—
(i)the stated land is excluded from the area of the petroleum authority comprising the interest, or under or in relation to which the interest exists; and
(ii)this Act applies, in relation to the area of the petroleum authority, with necessary and convenient changes to allow for the exclusion of the stated land, including, for example—
(A)to allow the area to include a part of a block or sub-block if the part is what is left after the stated land is excluded from the area; and
(B)if the stated land, or a part of it, is within a potential commercial area for an authority to prospect—to exclude the stated land or part from the potential commercial area.
(4)If the resumption notice states that the carrying out of stated activities on the stated land by holders of stated petroleum interests is prohibited, the holder of a stated petroleum interest is not, or is no longer, authorised to carry out the stated activities on the stated land.
(5)However, subsections (3) and (4) do not apply in relation to a petroleum interest that comprises, or exists under or in relation to, a new or renewed petroleum authority granted after the land is taken.

s 30AB ins 2012 No. 20 s 79

30ACApplications relating to land taken under a resumption law for which petroleum interests were extinguished

(1)The Minister may, under a grant provision, grant a petroleum authority for an area that includes acquired land only if the Minister, after consulting the entity that took the land, is satisfied the grant of the authority is compatible with the purpose for which the land is being or is to be used.
(2)If there are 2 or more applications under this Act for the grant, under a grant provision, of a new petroleum authority for an area that includes the same acquired land, the applications are to be dealt with as follows—
(a)the applications must be considered and decided according to the day on which they are lodged;
(b)if the applications were lodged on the same day—
(i)they take the priority the Minister decides, after considering the relative merits of each application; and
(ii)the Minister must give each applicant a notice stating there is competition for priority between the applicant’s application and another application, or other applications, lodged on the same day as the day on which the applicant’s application was lodged.
(3)If a grant provision provides for the grant of a new petroleum authority (the new authority) over land in the area of an existing petroleum authority or 1923 Act ATP (the existing authority)—
(a)the application under this Act for the new authority may include acquired land that was, immediately before the taking of the land, in the existing authority’s area; and
(b)subject to subsections (1) and (2), the Minister may grant a new authority for an area that includes the acquired land as if the acquired land were in the existing authority’s area.
(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that this section does not affect the operation of the provisions of this Act about the application for, and grant of, a new petroleum authority other than to the extent provided for in subsections (1) to (3).
(5)In this section—
grant provision means a provision of this Act providing for the grant of a new petroleum authority.
new petroleum authority includes a renewed petroleum authority.

s 30AC ins 2012 No. 20 s 79

30ADCompensation for effect of taking of land in a petroleum authority’s area on petroleum interests

(1)This section applies if land in a petroleum authority’s area is taken (including by taking or otherwise creating an easement) under a resumption law other than sections 456 to 458 of this Act.
(2)In assessing any compensation to be paid to the holder of a petroleum interest in relation to the taking of the land, allowance can not be made for the value of petroleum known or supposed to be in, or produced from, the land.

Note—

See section 458(3) in relation to land in a petroleum authority’s area taken under sections 456 to 458 of this Act.

s 30AD ins 2012 No. 20 s 79

30AJoint holders of a petroleum authority

(1)A petroleum authority may be held by 2 or more persons as joint tenants or as tenants in common.
(2)If—
(a)an application is made for a petroleum authority, or for approval to register a transfer of a petroleum authority under the Common Provisions Act, for more than 1 proposed holder or transferee; and
(b)the application does not show whether the proposed holders or transferees are to hold as joint tenants or as tenants in common; and
(c)the application is granted;

the chief executive must record in the register that the applicants hold the authority as tenants in common.

(3)In this section—
petroleum authority includes a share in a petroleum authority.

s 30A ins 2008 No. 56 s 93

amd 2012 No. 20 s 265; 2014 No. 47 ss 538, 577

Chapter 2 Petroleum tenures and related matters

Notes—

1For the requirement for a petroleum tenure, see section 800.
2Chapters 3 and 3A impose requirements for and restrictions on the granting of and restrictions on authorised activities that may be carried out under particular petroleum tenures. See sections 297 and 392AA.

ch 2 note amd 2009 No. 3 s 539

Part 1 Authorities to prospect

Division 1 Key authorised activities

31Operation of div 1

(1)This division provides for the key authorised activities for an authority to prospect.

Notes—

1For other authorised activities, see chapter 2, part 4, chapter 5, part 8 and the Common Provisions Act, chapter 3, part 2.
2The carrying out of particular activities on particular land in an authority to prospect’s area may not be authorised following the taking of the land under a resumption law. See section 30AB.
(2)The authorised activities may be carried out despite the rights of an owner or occupier of land on which they are exercised.
(3)However, the carrying out of the authorised activities is subject to—
(a)section 6; and
(b)chapter 3, part 4, division 2; and
(c)chapter 3, part 4A; and
(d)chapter 3A, part 5; and
(e)chapters 5 and 9; and
(f)the mandatory and other conditions of the authority; and
(g)any exclusion or restriction provided for in the authority on the carrying out of the activities; and
(h)any other relevant Act or law.

s 31 amd 2009 No. 3 s 540; 2010 No. 31 s 428; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 80; 2014 No. 47 s 551

32Exploration and testing

(1)The authority to prospect holder may carry out any of the following activities in the area of the authority—
(a)exploring for petroleum;
(b)testing for petroleum production;
(c)evaluating the feasibility of petroleum production;
(d)evaluating or testing natural underground reservoirs for the storage of petroleum or a prescribed storage gas;
(e)plugging and abandoning, or otherwise remediating, a bore or well the holder reasonably believes is a legacy borehole and rehabilitating the surrounding area in compliance with the requirements prescribed under a regulation.
(2)However, the holder must not carry out any of the following—
(a)extraction or production of a gasification or retorting product from coal or oil shale by a chemical or thermal process;
(b)exploration for coal or oil shale to carry out extraction or production mentioned in paragraph (a);
(c)GHG stream storage;
(d)inject a GHG stream into the Great Artesian Basin for the purpose of enhanced petroleum recovery.
(3)The carrying out of activities mentioned in subsection (1), other than exploring for petroleum, is subject to sections 71A and 71B.
(4)The rights under subsection (1) may be exercised only by or for the holder.

Note—

For who may exercise the rights for the holder, see section 563.

s 32 amd 2007 No. 46 s 163; 2009 No. 3 s 541; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2014 No. 47 s 584; 2018 No. 24 s 201; 2024 No. 33 s 157A

33Incidental activities

(1)The authority to prospect holder may carry out an activity (an incidental activity) in the area of the authority if carrying out the activity is reasonably necessary for, or incidental to, an authorised activity under section 32(1) for the authority or another authority to prospect.

Examples of incidental activities—

1constructing or operating plant or works, including, for example, communication systems, pipelines associated with petroleum testing, powerlines, roads, separation plants, evaporation or storage ponds, tanks and water pipelines
2constructing or using temporary structures or structures of an industrial or technical nature, including, for example, mobile and temporary camps
3removing vegetation for, or for the safety of, exploration or testing under section 32(1)

Note—

See also part 10, section 239, chapter 5 and section 20.
(2)However, neither of the following activities is an incidental activity—
(a)constructing or using a structure, other than a temporary structure, for office or residential accommodation;

Note—

For development generally, see the Planning Act 2016, chapter 3.
(b)the processing of gaseous petroleum, other than gaseous petroleum produced as an unavoidable result of ATP production testing.
(3)In this section—
gaseous petroleum means petroleum in a gaseous state.
processing, of gaseous petroleum, means treating the petroleum to be suitable for transport.

s 33 amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 81; 2014 No. 47 s 599; 2016 No. 27 s 343

Division 2 Obtaining authority to prospect

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

34Operation of div 2

(1)This division provides for a process for the granting of authorities to prospect by competitive tender.
(2)To remove any doubt, it is declared that an authority to prospect can only be granted under this division or division 8, subdivision 2.

Subdivision 2 Competitive tenders

35Call for tenders

(1)The Minister may publish a gazette notice (a call for tenders) inviting tenders for an authority to prospect.
(2)The call must state—
(a)the proposed area of the authority; and
(b)the proposed term of the authority; and
(c)that, under section 99, particular land may be excluded land for the authority; and
(d)that the tenders must be accompanied by a proposed initial work program for the period mentioned in paragraph (h)(ii); and
(e)whether the proposed initial work program under paragraph (d) must be a proposed work program (activities-based) or a proposed work program (outcomes-based); and
(f)the day and time by which tenders in response to it must be made (the closing time for the call); and
(g)that the tenders must be lodged before the closing time for the call; and
(h)that details about each of the following are available at a stated place—
(i)any proposed conditions of the authority, other than mandatory conditions, that are likely to impact significantly on exploration in the proposed area;
(ii)the required program period for the initial work program for the authority;
(iii)any criteria (special criteria), other than the work program criteria and capability criteria, proposed to be used to decide whether to grant the authority, or to decide its provisions;
(iv)whether a process for appointing a preferred tenderer involving a cash bid component is to be used for deciding the call;
(v)if any part of the proposed area of the authority is to be subject to an Australian market supply condition—the part of the proposed area and the condition.
(3)The call may state other relevant matters, including, for example, matters relevant to the special criteria, work program criteria and capability criteria.
(4)The area of the authority must comply with section 98.
(5)Subsection (2)(h)(i) does not limit the Minister’s power to decide conditions of the authority if it is granted.

s 35 amd 2009 No. 16 s 73; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2011 No. 16 s 11; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2013 No. 10 s 163; 2019 No. 17 s 276

36Right to tender

(1)An eligible person may, by a tender made under section 37, tender for a proposed authority to prospect the subject of a call for tenders.
(2)However, the tender can not be made—
(a)after the closing time for the call; or
(b)for only part of the area of the proposed authority.

s 36 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 102, 121

37Requirements for making tender

A tender for an authority to prospect must—
(a)be lodged in the approved form; and
(b)address the capability criteria; and
(c)include a proposed work program that complies with the initial work program requirements; and
(d)be accompanied by the following—
(i)the fee prescribed under a regulation;
(ii)if a process for appointing a preferred tenderer involving a cash bid component is to be used for deciding the call—the tenderer’s cash bid.

s 37 amd 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch; 2009 No. 16 s 74; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2013 No. 10 s 164; 2014 No. 47 s 600

37A Rejection of tender if tenderer disqualified

(1)The Minister must reject a tender for an authority to prospect if the Minister decides the tenderer is disqualified under the Common Provisions Act, chapter 7 from being granted the authority to prospect.
(2)On rejection of the tender, the Minister must give the tenderer a notice about the decision.

s 37A ins 2020 No. 14 s 176

38Right to terminate call for tenders

(1)The Minister may, by gazette notice, terminate a call for tenders at any time before deciding to grant an authority to prospect to a person who has made a tender in response to the call.
(2)All tenders in response to the call lapse when the call is terminated.
(3)No amount, whether by way of compensation, reimbursement or otherwise is payable by the State to any person for or in connection with the termination.
(4)However, subject to sections 40(4) and 845(5), the Minister must refund any tender security given by the tenderer.

s 38 amd 2013 No. 10 s 165

Subdivision 3 Deciding tenders

39Process for deciding tenders

(1)Subject to section 43, any process the Minister considers appropriate may be used to decide a call for tenders, including, for example—
(a)a process appointing a preferred tenderer on the tenders made in response to the call (whether or not involving a cash bid component); or
(b)a process involving short-listing a group of possible preferred tenderers and inviting them to engage in another round of tendering before appointing a preferred tenderer from that group.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may give a tenderer a notice requiring the tenderer to give the Minister, within the reasonable period stated in the notice, information the Minister reasonably requires to assess the tender.

s 39 amd 2013 No. 10 s 166

40Provisions for preferred tenderers

(1)The Minister may require a preferred tenderer for the call for tenders to—
(a)pay any amounts necessarily incurred, or to be incurred, to enable the authority to prospect to be granted; and

Example—

amounts required to comply with the Commonwealth Native Title Act, part 2, division 3, subdivision P
(b)to do all or any of the following within a stated reasonable period—
(i)pay the annual rent for the first year of the authority;
(ii)give, under section 488, security for the authority.
(2)If a preferred tenderer does not—
(a)comply with a requirement under subsection (1); or
(b)do all things reasonably necessary to allow an authority to prospect to be granted to the tenderer;

the Minister may revoke the tenderer’s appointment as the preferred tenderer.

(3)However, before acting under subsection (2), the Minister must give the preferred tenderer a reasonable opportunity to provide reasons for, and rectify, the tenderer’s failure to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) or (2)(b).
(4)If the Minister revokes the appointment of the tenderer as the preferred tenderer under this section, the Minister may—
(a)retain the whole or part of any tender security given by the tenderer, if the Minister considers it reasonable in the circumstances; and
(b)appoint another tenderer to be the preferred tenderer.

s 40 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2013 No. 10 s 167

41Deciding whether to grant authority to prospect

(1)The Minister may, after the closing time for the call for tenders—
(a)grant an authority to prospect to 1 tenderer; or
(b)refuse to grant any authority to prospect.
(2)However—
(a)before deciding to grant the authority, the Minister must decide whether to approve the applicant’s proposed initial work program for the authority; and
(b)the Minister can not grant the authority unless—
(i)the tenderer is an eligible person; and
(ii)the proposed program has been approved; and
(iii)a relevant environmental authority for the authority to prospect has been issued.

Note—

If a tender relates to acquired land, see also section 30AC.
(3)The Minister may impose on the authority the conditions the Minister considers appropriate.
(4)Subsection (3) does not limit or otherwise affect section 42(3)(a) or (3A).

s 41 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 82; 2019 No. 17 s 277

42Provisions of authority to prospect

(1)Each authority to prospect must state its term and area.
(2)The term—
(a)must be for at least the required program period for the initial work program for the authority under the call for tenders; but
(b)must end no later than 12 years after the authority takes effect.
(3)The authority may also state—
(a)conditions or other provisions of the authority, other than conditions or provisions that are—
(i)inconsistent with the mandatory conditions for authorities to prospect; or
(ii)the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with, any relevant environmental condition for the authority; and
(b)the day it takes effect.
(3A)The conditions of the authority may include an Australian market supply condition applying to all or part of the area of the authority.
(4)However, the provisions of the authority may exclude or restrict the carrying out of an authorised activity for the authority.
(5)The day of effect must not be before the day the authority is granted.
(6)If no day of effect is stated, the authority takes effect on the day it is granted.

s 42 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2011 No. 16 s 12; 2014 No. 29 s 124A; 2019 No. 17 s 278

42AAmendment of conditions by Minister if exceptional event

(1)This section applies if the Minister considers the conditions of an authority to prospect must be amended because of an exceptional event affecting the authority.
(2)The Minister may amend the authority by imposing a condition on, or varying or removing a condition of, the authority without application from the holder.
(3)The amendment takes effect 10 business days after the holder is given the notice or, if the notice states a later day of effect, the later day.
(4)This section does not limit section 41(3).

s 42A ins 2019 No. 17 s 279

43Criteria for decisions

(1)The matters that must be considered in deciding whether to grant an authority to prospect or deciding its provisions include—
(a)any special criteria; and
(b)the extent to which the Minister is of the opinion that the tenderer is capable of carrying out authorised activities for the authority, having regard to the tenderer’s—
(i)financial and technical resources; and
(ii)ability to manage petroleum exploration and production; and
(c)the applicant’s proposed initial work program.
(2)The matters mentioned in subsection (1)(b) are the capability criteria.
(3)A person satisfies the capability criteria if the Minister forms the opinion mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

44Notice to unsuccessful tenderers

(1)After a call for tenders has been decided, each tenderer not granted the authority to prospect must be given notice of the decision.

Note—

See also the Judicial Review Act 1991, section 32 (Request for statement of reasons).
(2)Subject to sections 40(4) and 845(5), the Minister must refund any tender security given by the tenderer.

s 44 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2013 No. 10 s 168

Division 3 Work programs

Subdivision 1 Types of work program

ch 2 pt 1 div 3 sdiv 1 hdg sub 2019 No. 17 s 280

45Types of work program for authority to prospect

(1)A work program for an authority to prospect is—
(a)a work program (activities-based); or
(b)a work program (outcomes-based).
(2)A work program (activities-based) for an authority to prospect is a document stating—
(a)the activities proposed to be carried out during the period of the program; and
(b)the estimated human, technical and financial resources proposed to be committed to exploration during the period of the program.
(3)A work program (outcomes-based) for an authority to prospect is a document stating—
(a)the outcomes proposed to be pursued during the period of the program; and
(b)the strategy for pursuing the outcomes mentioned in paragraph (a); and
(c)the information and data proposed to be collected about the existence of petroleum or gas during the period of the program; and
(d)the estimated human, technical and financial resources proposed to be committed to exploration during the period of the program.

s 45 sub 2019 No. 17 s 280

Subdivision 2 Requirements for proposed initial work programs

46Operation of subdivision

This subdivision provides for requirements (the initial work program requirements) for a proposed initial work program for a proposed authority to prospect.

s 46 amd 2019 No. 17 s 281

47Program period

(1)The proposed initial work program must state its period.
(2)The period must be the same as the required period under the relevant call for tenders.

s 47 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2019 No. 17 s 282

48General requirements

(1)The proposed initial work program must be of the type required under section 35(2)(e).
(2)The proposed initial work program must include—
(a)maps that show where the exploration under the proposed authority to prospect is proposed to be carried out; and
(b)reasons why the holder of the proposed authority to prospect considers the program to be appropriate; and
(c)any other information relevant to the work program criteria; and
(d)any other information prescribed by regulation.

s 48 amd 2004 No. 26 s 75

sub 2019 No. 17 s 283

Subdivision 3 Criteria for deciding whether to approve proposed initial work programs

ch 2 pt 1 div 3 sdiv 3 note om 2011 No. 2 s 122 sch

49Criteria

(1)The matters that must be considered in deciding whether to approve a proposed initial work program include the appropriateness of the tenderer’s proposed work program, having regard to each of the following—
(a)the potential of the proposed area of the authority to prospect for petroleum discovery;
(b)the extent and nature of the proposed petroleum exploration;

Examples—

proposed geological, geophysical or geochemical surveying
the number of petroleum wells the tenderer proposes to drill, and their type
(c)when and where the tenderer proposes to carry out the exploration.
(2)The matters mentioned in subsection (1) are the work program criteria.

Subdivision 4 Requirements for proposed later work programs

50Operation of sdiv 4

This subdivision provides for requirements (the later work program requirements) for a proposed later work program for an authority to prospect.

Note—

For the requirements to lodge a proposed later work program, see sections 79 (Obligation to lodge proposed later work program), 100 (Minister may add excluded land), 104 (Requirements for making application) and 790 (Types of noncompliance action that may be taken).

s 50 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2008 No. 56 s 92 sch

51General requirements

(1)The proposed later work program for an authority to prospect may be a work program (activities-based) or work program (outcomes-based).
(2)The proposed later work program must state—
(a)the extent to which the current work program for the authority to prospect has been complied with; and
(b)if there have been any amendments to the authority to prospect or the current work program—
(i)whether the changes have been incorporated in the proposed later work program; and
(ii)any effect the changes have on the proposed later work program; and
(c)the effect of any petroleum discovery on the proposed later work program.
(3)The proposed later work program must include—
(a)maps that show where the exploration under the authority to prospect is proposed to be carried out; and
(b)reasons why the holder of the authority to prospect considers the program to be appropriate; and
(c)any other information prescribed by regulation.

s 51 sub 2019 No. 17 s 284

52Program period

(1)The proposed later work program must state its period.
(2)The period must not be longer than—
(a)if the term of the rest, or the renewed term, of the authority is less than 6 years—the rest of its term or renewed term; or
(b)if the term of the rest, or the renewed term, of the authority is 6 years or more, the following—
(i)generally—6 years from the start of the period;
(ii)if the Minister approves a longer period—the longer period.
(3)However, the Minister can not approve a period longer than the rest of the term or renewed term of the authority.

s 52 amd 2004 No. 26 s 76; 2019 No. 17 s 285

53Implementation of evaluation program for potential commercial area

If, under section 91, an evaluation program is taken to be an additional part of the existing work program for the authority to prospect, the proposed later work program must include work necessary to implement the evaluation program for the period of that program.

s 53 amd 2019 No. 17 s 286

54Later work programs for proposed new authorities

Proposed later work programs for an application under division 8, subdivision 2, to divide an authority to prospect must have a combined effect that is at least the effect of the work program for the original authority.

Subdivision 5 Approval of proposed later work programs

55Application of sdiv 5

This subdivision applies if, under this Act, a proposed later work program is lodged for approval.

55AModified application of ch 14, pt 1

Chapter 14, part 1 applies in relation to the lodgement by an authority to prospect holder of a proposed later work program as if—
(a)the lodgement of the proposed program were the making of an application by the holder; and
(b)the later work program requirements for the proposed program were the requirements under chapter 14, part 1 for making the application.

s 55A ins 2014 No. 47 s 601

56Authority taken to have work program until decision on whether to approve proposed later work program

(1)This section applies until—
(a)if the proposed later work program is approved—the holder is given notice of the approval; or
(b)if approval of the proposed later work program is refused—when the refusal takes effect.
(2)Despite the ending of the program period for the current work program for the authority to prospect—
(a)the authority is taken to have a work program; and
(b)the holder may carry out any authorised activity for the authority.

s 56 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2019 No. 17 s 287

57Deciding whether to approve proposed later work program

(1)The Minister may approve or refuse to approve the proposed later work program.
(2)The matters that must be considered in deciding whether to approve the proposed later work program include each of the following—
(a)the work program criteria and capability criteria and any special criteria that applied for deciding the application for the authority to prospect;
(b)the extent to which the current work program has been complied with;
(c)any amendments made to the authority or its current work program, and the reasons for the changes;
(d)any commercial viability report or independent viability assessment for the authority.
(3)Also, if the authority was granted in response to a tender, any other work program proposed by other tenderers for the authority must be taken into account.
(4)However, subsection (3) applies only to the extent the other program includes the period of the proposed plan.

s 57 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2014 No. 47 s 602; 2019 No. 17 s 288

58Steps after, and taking effect of, decision

(1)On approval of the proposed later work program, the holder must be given notice of the approval.
(2)On refusal to approve the later work program, the holder must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse.
(3)An approval takes effect when the holder is given the notice or, if the notice states a later day of effect, on that later day.
(4)A refusal does not take effect until the end of the appeal period for the refusal.

s 58 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Subdivision 6 Amending work programs

59Restrictions on amending work program

(1)An authority to prospect holder may amend the work program for the authority only if—
(a)an application for approval of the amendment has been made under this subdivision and the amendment has been approved under this subdivision; and

Note—

See also section 91 (Inclusion of evaluation program in work program).
(b)if the amendment is to extend the period of the work program—the requirements under subsection (2) or (3) have been complied with.
(2)For subsection (1)(b), the requirements for an amendment to extend the period of an approved initial work program for an authority to prospect are—
(a)the period of the approved initial work program has not previously been extended; and
(b)either—
(i)the Minister is satisfied the amendment is needed for a reason beyond the holder’s control; or
(ii)within 3 months before the making of the application, the authority to prospect has been transferred within the meaning of subsection (4).
(3)For subsection (1)(b), the requirements for an amendment to extend the period of an approved later work program for an authority to prospect are—
(a)the period of the approved later work program, and any earlier approved work program for the authority, has not previously been extended; and
(b)within 3 months before the making of the application, the authority to prospect has been transferred within the meaning of subsection (4).
(4)For subsection (2) and (3), an authority to prospect is transferred only if—
(a)a person (the designated person) became a holder of the authority as a result of—
(i)an application having been made, under the Common Provisions Act, for approval of a transfer of a share in the authority; and
(ii)approval to register the transfer having been given under that Act; and
(b)the share, or proposed share, of the designated person in the authority is at least 50%; and
(c)the designated person is not, under the Corporations Act, section 64B, an entity connected with another person who is a holder of the authority.
(5)An amendment under this section to extend the period of a work program may be granted only if the extended period ends no later than—
(a)1 year after the current period of the work program; or
(b)12 years after the authority originally took effect.

s 59 sub 2004 No. 26 s 77

amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch (amdt could not be given effect); 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 164; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 266; 2014 No. 47 s 539; 2019 No. 17 s 289; 2020 No. 14 s 218 sch 1

60Applying for approval to amend

(1)An authority to prospect holder may apply for approval to amend the work program for the authority.

Note—

For other relevant provisions about applications, see chapter 14, part 1 and section 851AA.
(2)However, the application can not be made less than 20 business days before the end of the period stated in the work program for carrying out work under the program.
(3)Subsection (2) does not apply if the Minister is satisfied the work program needs to be amended for a reason beyond the holder’s control.
(4)The application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 60 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2007 No. 46 s 165; 2012 No. 20 s 267

61[Repealed]

s 61 om 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

62Deciding application

(1)If the proposed amendment—
(a)does not relate to the initial work program for the authority to prospect; and
(b)is to substitute the carrying out of an authorised activity (the original activity) with another authorised activity;

the Minister may approve the amendment if satisfied the other activity is at least of an equivalent value to the original activity.

(2)If the application is to extend the period of the work program for the authority, the Minister may approve the amendment only if satisfied—
(a)the requirements under section 59(2) or (3) have been complied with; and
(b)the designated person mentioned in section 59(4) is likely to provide additional financial or technical resources for the authority; and
(c)the work program will be completed within the period of the extension.

Note—

For additional provisions about relinquishment that apply if the period is extended, see sections 65(1)(c) and 78A.
(3)Otherwise, the Minister may approve the amendment only if satisfied it is necessary because of a circumstance—
(a)not related to—
(i)the applicant’s financial or technical resources or ability to manage petroleum exploration; or
(ii)the results of exploration; and
(b)the happening of which is or was beyond the applicant’s control; and
(c)that could not have been prevented by a reasonable person in the applicant’s position.
(4)Also, if the amendment is approved under subsection (3), the relinquishment day for the authority may be deferred for a period that relates to a circumstance mentioned in subsection (3).
(5)A deferral under subsection (4) can not be for longer than 12 years after the authority took effect.
(6)If, under this section, an amendment is approved, a condition (an additional relinquishment condition) may be imposed on the authority requiring its holder to relinquish, by a lodged notice, at least a stated percentage of the original notional sub-blocks of the authority on or before a stated day.

s 62 amd 2004 No. 26 s 78; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2019 No. 17 s 290

63Steps after, and taking effect of, decision

(1)On approval of the proposed amendment, the holder must be given notice of the approval.
(2)On refusal to approve the proposed amendment, the holder must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse.
(3)An approval takes effect when the holder is given the notice or, if the notice states a later day of effect, on that later day.

Subdivision 7 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 1 div 3 sdiv 7 hdg ins 2014 No. 29 s 124B

om 2019 No. 17 s 291

63A[Repealed]

s 63A ins 2014 No. 29 s 124B

om 2019 No. 17 s 291

63B[Repealed]

s 63B ins 2014 No. 29 s 124B

om 2019 No. 17 s 291

63C[Repealed]

s 63C ins 2014 No. 29 s 124B

om 2019 No. 17 s 291

63D[Repealed]

s 63D ins 2014 No. 29 s 124B

om 2019 No. 17 s 291

63E[Repealed]

s 63E ins 2014 No. 29 s 124B

om 2019 No. 17 s 291

Division 4 Key mandatory conditions for authorities to prospect

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

64Operation of div 4

This division provides for particular mandatory conditions for authorities to prospect.

Notes—

1The following provisions also impose mandatory conditions on authorities to prospect—
division 1
parts 4 and 10
sections 181 and 202
chapter 3, part 4, division 4
chapter 3A, part 5
chapter 5.
2For what is a mandatory condition, see section 20(2).

s 64 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2009 No. 3 s 542; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1

Subdivision 2 Standard relinquishment condition and related provisions

ch 2 pt 1 div 4 sdiv 2 hdg sub 2004 No. 26 s 79

64AWhat is the relinquishment day

The relinquishment day, for an authority to prospect, is the day before the sixth anniversary of the day the authority took effect.

s 64A ins 2019 No. 17 s 292

65Standard relinquishment condition

(1)It is a condition (the relinquishment condition) of each authority to prospect that its holder must relinquish part of its area, as provided for under this subdivision—
(a)on or before the relinquishment day for the authority; and
(b)if section 68(3) applies—on the day provided for under that subsection; and
(c)if, under division 3, subdivision 6, the period of the work program for the authority has been extended—the day on which the extended period ends.
(2)However, if, under section 62(4), the relinquishment day for the authority (the original day) is deferred for a stated period, for the relinquishment condition, the relinquishment that was required on or before the original day is taken to have been deferred until the end of the stated period.
(3)A relinquishment required under the relinquishment condition—
(a)must be made by a lodged notice (relinquishment notice); and
(b)takes effect on the day after lodgement under paragraph (a).
(4)This section does not prevent the holder from relinquishing, by relinquishment notice, more than the part provided for under this subdivision.

s 65 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 80, 69 (2) sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2019 No. 17 s 293

65AConsequence of failure to comply with relinquishment condition

(1)If the holder of an authority to prospect does not comply with the relinquishment condition the holder must be given a notice requiring the holder to comply with the condition within 20 business days after the giving of the notice.
(2)If the holder does not comply with the requirement, the authority to prospect is cancelled.

s 65A ins 2004 No. 26 s 81

66Part usually required to be relinquished

(1)This section is subject to sections 66A, 68 and 69.
(2)The holder must relinquish 50% of the original notional sub-blocks of the authority to prospect by the end of the relinquishment day.
(3)The sub-blocks required to be relinquished under this section is the usual relinquishment.

s 66 amd 2004 No. 26 s 82; 2019 No. 17 s 294; 2020 No. 14 s 177

66AStandard relinquishment condition deferred while petroleum lease application is undecided

(1)This section applies if—
(a)the holder of an authority to prospect has made an application for a petroleum lease in relation to an identified area; and
(b)at the end of the relinquishment day, the application has not been decided.
(2)Section 66 does not apply to the authority to prospect in relation to the identified area until—
(a)the petroleum lease is granted; or
(b)20 business days after the day the application is withdrawn or refused.
(3)In this section—
identified area means the sub-blocks of land identified in a relinquishment notice as the sub-blocks of land to which an authority to prospect will not apply after a reduction required under section 66(2).

s 66A ins 2020 No. 14 s 178

66BSub-blocks that may be counted towards relinquishment

(1)This section applies if, before a relinquishment day, the area of an authority to prospect is reduced under section 101 by the grant of a petroleum lease.
(2)The sub-blocks in the area of the authority to prospect reduced by the grant may be counted as sub-blocks relinquished for the relinquishment condition.

s 66B ins 2020 No. 14 s 178

67Sub-blocks that can not be counted towards relinquishment

(1)The following can not be counted as sub-blocks relinquished for the relinquishment condition—
(a)sub-blocks relinquished under an additional relinquishment condition;
(b)the mere declaration of the sub-blocks as a potential commercial area for the authority;
(c)sub-blocks the subject of an application for a potential commercial area;
(d)sub-blocks relinquished under a penalty relinquishment.
(2)To remove any doubt, it is declared that a potential commercial area can be relinquished and can be counted as an area relinquished for the relinquishment condition.
(3)In this section—
penalty relinquishment means a relinquishment that is—
(a)made under section 78A or under a requirement under section 790(1)(b); and
(b)more than the sub-blocks required to be relinquished under the relinquishment condition.

s 67 amd 2004 No. 26 s 83; 2020 No. 14 s 179

68Adjustments for sub-blocks that can not be counted

(1)This section applies for the relinquishment day for an authority to prospect if, after taking away all sub-blocks that, under section 67, can not be counted for the relinquishment condition, the balance of the sub-blocks of the authority to prospect is less than the sub-blocks required to be relinquished under the usual relinquishment.
(2)The relinquishment condition is taken to have been complied with if the authority holder gives a relinquishment notice for all of the balance.
(3)However, if—
(a)a sub-block not counted for the relinquishment condition was the subject of an application for a potential commercial area; and
(b)the result of the application is that it is refused;

the authority holder must, within 20 business days after the appeal period for the decision to refuse, give a relinquishment notice for that sub-block.

s 68 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 84, 69 (2) sch; 2019 No. 17 s 295; 2020 No. 14 s 180

69Adjustment for particular potential commercial areas

If the only way to comply with the relinquishment condition is to relinquish all or part of a potential commercial area for the authority, the relinquishment condition is taken to be complied with if all remaining sub-blocks of the original notional sub-blocks of the authority are relinquished.

s 69 amd 2004 No. 26 s 85

70Relinquishment must be by blocks or sub-blocks

(1)A relinquishment under the relinquishment condition—
(a)may be by blocks or sub-blocks; and
(b)must be of at least 1 block.
(2)However, if a block contains an area that, under section 67, can not be counted as a relinquishment, subsection (1)(b) is complied with if all of the rest of the land within the block is relinquished.

s 70 amd 2004 No. 26 s 86; 2019 No. 17 s 296

71Ending of authority to prospect if all of its area relinquished

If all of the area of an authority to prospect is relinquished, the authority ends.

s 71 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch

Subdivision 2A Mandatory conditions for particular types of testing

ch 2 pt 1 div 4 sdiv 2A hdg ins 2014 No. 47 s 603

71AATP production testing

(1)Subject to section 72, an authority to prospect holder may carry out testing for petroleum production for a petroleum well (ATP production testing) within the area of the authority.
(2)However, it is a condition of the authority to prospect that—
(a)the holder gives the chief executive a notice, containing the information prescribed by regulation, in relation to the ATP production testing within 20 business days after the testing starts; and
(b)the testing is carried out after the end date for the testing only with the Minister’s approval.
(3)The Minister may, at any time, approve the carrying out after the end date for ATP production testing (the original ATP production testing) of further ATP production testing and the approval is subject to the conditions the Minister considers appropriate.
(4)If the Minister decides not to approve the carrying out of further ATP production testing, the Minister must give the authority to prospect holder an information notice about the decision.

s 71A ins 2014 No. 47 s 603

71BATP storage testing

(1)Subject to section 72, an authority to prospect holder may carry out testing for the storage of petroleum or a prescribed storage gas in a natural underground reservoir (ATP storage testing) within the area of the authority.
(2)However, it is a condition of the authority to prospect that—
(a)the holder gives the chief executive a notice, containing the information prescribed by regulation, in relation to the ATP storage testing within 20 business days after the testing starts; and
(b)the testing is carried out after the end date for the testing only with the Minister’s approval.
(3)Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may, at any time, approve the carrying out after the end date for ATP storage testing (the original ATP storage testing) of further ATP storage testing and the approval is subject to the conditions the Minister considers appropriate.
(4)An approval may not be given under subsection (3) more than 1 day before the end date for the original ATP storage testing.
(5)If the Minister decides not to approve the carrying out of further ATP storage testing, the Minister must give the authority to prospect holder an information notice about the decision.
(6)Despite subsections (1) to (3), an authority to prospect holder must not—
(a)carry out GHG stream storage; or
(b)inject a GHG stream into the Great Artesian Basin for the purpose of enhanced petroleum recovery.

s 71B ins 2014 No. 47 s 603

amd 2024 No. 33 s 162A

71CAuthority to prospect holder must notify chief executive if testing stops

If an authority to prospect holder stops carrying out any ATP production testing or ATP storage testing within the area of the authority for a continuous period of 14 days or more, the holder must give the chief executive a notice, containing the information prescribed by regulation, in relation to the testing within 20 business days after the testing stops.

s 71C ins 2014 No. 47 s 603

Subdivision 3 Other mandatory conditions

72Restriction on flaring or venting

(1)An authority to prospect holder must not flare or vent petroleum in a gaseous state produced under the authority unless the flaring or venting is authorised under this section.
(2)Flaring the gas is authorised if it is not commercially or technically feasible to use it—
(a)commercially under the authority; or
(b)for an authorised activity for the authority.
(3)Venting the gas is authorised if—
(a)it is not safe to use the gas for a purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b) or to flare it; or
(b)flaring it is not technically practicable.

73[Repealed]

s 73 amd 2004 No. 26 s 87; 2009 No. 3 s 543

om 2014 No. 47 s 604

74[Repealed]

s 74 sub 2010 No. 31 s 481

om 2014 No. 47 s 605

75Petroleum royalty and annual rent

(1)An authority to prospect holder must pay the State—
(a)petroleum royalty as required under chapter 6; and
(b)the annual rent, as prescribed under a regulation.
(2)The annual rent must be paid in the way, and on or before the day, prescribed under a regulation.

s 75 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

76Civil penalty for nonpayment of annual rent

(1)If an authority to prospect holder does not pay the annual rent as required under section 75, the holder must also pay the State a civil penalty.
(2)The amount of the penalty is 15% of the rent.
(3)The penalty—
(a)must be paid on the day after the last day for payment of the rent; and
(b)is still payable even if the holder later pays the rent.

77Requirement to have work program

The holder of an authority to prospect must have a work program for the authority.

Notes—

1The only work program for an authority to prospect is its current initial or later work program, as approved under division 3.
2For the requirements to lodge a proposed later work program see sections 79, 100, 104, 372 and 790.
3For approval of proposed later work programs see division 3, subdivision 5.

s 77 amd 2004 No. 26 s 88

78Compliance with work program

The holder of an authority to prospect must comply with the work program for the authority.

s 78 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

sub 2019 No. 17 s 297

78APenalty relinquishment if work program not completed within extended period

(1)If—
(a)under division 3, subdivision 6, the period of the work program for an authority to prospect has been extended; and
(b)the work program is not completed on or before the day on which the extended period ends;

its holder must relinquish a part of the original notional sub-blocks of the authority that the Minister is satisfied corresponds to the amount of the work under the work program that was not completed.

(2)The holder must give the chief executive written notice of the relinquishment within 20 business days after the end of the extended period.

Note—

For other relevant provisions about giving a document to the chief executive, see section 851AA.
(3)If the holder does not comply with subsection (2), the Minister may take action under section 790(1)(b).

s 78A ins 2004 No. 26 s 89

amd 2005 No. 3 s 48; 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

79Obligation to lodge proposed later work program

(1)This section imposes an obligation on an authority to prospect holder to lodge a proposed later work program for the authority.

Notes—

1For approval of the proposed program, see division 3, subdivision 5.
2If the holder wishes to renew the authority, a proposed later work program must be included in the renewal application. See section 82(1).
(2)The obligation is complied with only if the proposed later work program—
(a)is lodged; and
(b)complies with the later work program requirements; and
(c)is accompanied by the relevant fee.
(3)A proposed later work program must be lodged at least 40, but no more than 100, business days before the end of the program period for the current work program for the authority (the current work program period).
(4)However, if before the end of the current work program period, a decision is made not to approve a proposed later work program lodged under subsection (3), the holder may, within the eligible balance of the period, lodge another proposed later work program.
(5)If the holder does not lodge any proposed later work program before the end of the current work program period or if subsection (4) applies and the holder does not lodge another proposed later work program within the eligible balance of the current work program period—
(a)the holder must be given a notice requiring the holder to lodge a proposed later work program for the authority within 40 business days after the giving of the notice; and
(b)the holder must comply with the requirement.
(6)In this section—
eligible balance, for a current work program period during which a decision mentioned in subsection (4) is made, means the balance of the period, other than the appeal period for the decision.
relevant fee, for the lodgement of the proposed program, means—
(a)if the proposed program is lodged within the time required under subsection (3)—the fee prescribed under a regulation; or
(b)if the proposed program is lodged after the time required under subsection (3)—
(i)if it is lodged under subsection (4)—nil; or
(ii)if it is not lodged under subsection (4)—an amount that is 10 times the prescribed fee.

s 79 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 90, 69 (2) sch; 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 166; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 47 s 606

80Consequence of failure to comply with notice to lodge proposed later work program

(1)If an authority to prospect holder does not comply with a requirement under section 79(5)(a), the authority is cancelled.
(2)However, the cancellation does not take effect until the holder is given a notice stating that the authority has been cancelled because of the operation of subsection (1).

80A Power to impose or amend condition if changed holder of authority to prospect

(1)This section applies if 1 of the following changes happens—
(a)an entity starts or stops controlling the holder of an authority to prospect under the Corporations Act, section 50AA;
(b)the holder of an authority to prospect starts or stops being a subsidiary of a corporation under the Corporations Act, section 46.
(2)The Minister may consider whether, after the change, the holder of the authority to prospect has the financial and technical resources to comply with the conditions of the authority to prospect.
(3)If the Minister considers the holder of the authority to prospect may not have the financial and technical resources to comply with conditions of the authority to prospect, the Minister may impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the authority to prospect.
(4)If the Minister believes a change mentioned in subsection (1) may have happened, the Minister may require the holder of the authority to prospect to give the Minister information or a document about whether or not the change has happened.
(5)Before deciding to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the authority to prospect under subsection (3), the Minister may require the holder of the authority to prospect to give the Minister information or a document the Minister requires to make the decision.
(6)A requirement under subsection (4) or (5) must—
(a)be made by notice given to the holder; and
(b)state a period of at least 10 business days within which the holder must comply with the requirement.
(7)Before deciding to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the authority to prospect under subsection (3), the Minister must give the holder of the authority a notice stating—
(a)the proposed decision; and
(b)the reasons for the proposed decision; and
(c)that the holder may, within 10 business days after the notice is given, make submissions to the Minister about the proposed decision.
(8)The Minister may extend the period mentioned in subsection (6)(b) or (7)(c) by notice given to the holder of the authority to prospect.
(9)In deciding whether to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the authority to prospect under subsection (3), the Minister—
(a)must consider information or a document, if any, given under subsection (6)(b) or (7)(c); and
(b)may consider any other matter the Minister considers relevant.
(10)If the Minister decides to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the authority to prospect under subsection (3), the Minister must, as soon as practicable after making the decision, give the holder a notice stating the decision and the reasons for the decision.

s 80A ins 2020 No. 14 s 181

Division 5 Renewals

81Conditions for renewal application

(1)An authority to prospect holder may apply to renew the authority only if none of the following is outstanding—
(a)annual rent for the authority;
(b)a civil penalty under section 76 for nonpayment of annual rent;
(c)interest payable under section 588 on annual rent or a civil penalty;
(d)a royalty-related amount payable by the holder;
(e)security required for the authority, as required under section 488.
(2)Also, the application can not be made—
(a)more than 60 business days before the end of the term of the authority; or
(b)after the authority has ended.

s 81 amd 2012 No. 25 s 153; 2014 No. 35 s 43

82Requirements for making application

(1)The application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)state whether or not the work program for the authority to prospect has been complied with; and
(c)if the work program has not been complied with—state details of, and the reasons for, each noncompliance; and
(d)include a proposed later work program for the renewed authority; and
(e)address the capability criteria; and
(f)include information about the matters that, under sections 84 and 86, must or may be considered in deciding the application; and
(g)state whether or not the applicant has complied with chapter 5, part 7, for reports required to be lodged in relation to the authority; and
(h)be accompanied by—
(i)the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and
(ii)if the application is made less than 20 business days before end of the term of the authority—an amount that is 10 times the application fee.
(2)The proposed work program must comply with the later work program requirements.

s 82 amd 2004 No. 26 s 91; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 47 s 607

83Continuing effect of authority for renewal application

(1)This section applies if before the application is decided the term of the authority to prospect ends.
(2)Despite the ending of the term, the authority continues in force until the earlier of the following to happen—
(a)the start of any renewed term of the authority;
(b)a refusal of the application takes effect;
(c)the application is withdrawn;
(d)the authority is cancelled under this Act.
(3)Also, if the applicant has applied for a declaration of a potential commercial area for the authority, the authority continues in force until the declaration application is decided, but only in relation to the area of the proposed potential commercial area applied for.
(4)If the authority is continued in force under subsection (3), the evaluation program included in the declaration application is taken to be the work program for the authority.
(5)If the authority is renewed, subsections (2) and (3) are taken never to have applied for the period from the end of the term of the authority being renewed, as stated in that authority.

s 83 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

84Deciding application

(1)The Minister may grant or refuse the renewal.
(2)However—
(a)before deciding to grant the renewal, the Minister must decide whether to approve the applicant’s proposed later work program for the renewed authority to prospect; and
(b)the renewal can not be granted unless—
(i)the proposed program has been approved; and
(ii)the applicant satisfies the capability criteria; and
(iii)the Minister is satisfied the applicant—
(A)continues to satisfy any special criteria that applied for deciding the application for the authority to prospect being renewed; and

Note—

See sections 35(2)(h)(iii) and 43.
(B)has substantially complied with the authority to prospect being renewed; and
(iv)a relevant environmental authority for the renewed authority to prospect has been issued.

Note—

If the application relates to acquired land, see also section 30AC.
(3)Also, if the applicant has been given a notice under section 96 to apply for a petroleum lease, the application must not be decided until the issue of whether a petroleum lease will be granted is decided.
(4)Subsection (3) does not limit the power under section 97 to take a proposed action as stated in the notice.
(5)Subsection (6) applies if, after considering the proposed later work program mentioned in subsection (2)(a), the Minister considers a work program of another type mentioned in section 45(1) is more appropriate for the exploration of the area of the permit, if renewed.
(6)Before deciding the application, the Minister may, by written notice given to the applicant, require the applicant to give the Minister, within the reasonable period stated in the notice, a proposed work program of another type mentioned in section 45(1) for the further term of the permit, if renewed.
(7)The Minister may, as a condition of deciding to grant the application, require the applicant to do all or any of the following within a stated reasonable period—
(a)pay the annual rent for the first year of the renewed authority;
(b)give, under section 488, security for the renewed authority.
(8)If the applicant does not comply with the requirement, the application may be refused.

s 84 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 83; 2019 No. 17 s 298

85Provisions and term of renewed authority

(1)Subject to this section, section 42 applies to the renewed authority to prospect as if it were an authority to prospect granted under division 2.
(2)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the conditions of the renewed authority may be different from the conditions or other provisions of the authority to prospect being renewed.
(3)The area of the renewed authority must not be more than the area of the authority to prospect being renewed immediately before the renewed authority is to take effect.

Note—

See, however, section 30AC(3) in relation to acquired land that was previously in the area of the authority to prospect being renewed.
(4)If the renewed authority is decided before the end of the term of the authority to prospect being renewed as stated in that authority (the previous term), the term of the renewed authority is taken to start from the end of the previous term.
(5)If the renewed authority is decided after the previous term, the term of the renewed authority starts immediately after the end of the previous term, but—
(a)the conditions of the renewed authority do not start until the authority holder is given notice of them; and
(b)until the notice is given, the conditions of the authority to prospect being renewed apply to the renewed authority as if they were its conditions.
(6)The term of the renewed authority must not end more than 12 years from when the authority to prospect originally took effect.
(7)However, if any part of the area of the renewed authority is a potential commercial area, the term of the renewed authority for that part may be for a longer period that—
(a)ends no later than when the declaration ends; and
(b)is no more than the last term of the authority being renewed.
(8)To remove any doubt, it is declared that subsection (7)(b) does not prevent a renewal of the renewed authority.

s 85 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 84; 2019 No. 17 s 299

86Criteria for decisions

The matters that must be considered in deciding whether to grant the renewal or deciding the provisions of the renewed authority include—
(a)the work program criteria; and
(b)whether the applicant continues to satisfy the capability criteria and any special criteria.

s 86 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

87Information notice about refusal

On refusal of the application, the applicant must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse.

88When refusal takes effect

A refusal of the application does not take effect until end of the appeal period for the decision to refuse.

s 88 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Division 6 Potential commercial areas

89Applying for potential commercial area

(1)The holder of an authority to prospect may apply for a declaration by the Minister that all or a stated part of the area of the authority is a potential commercial area for the authority.
(2)The application must be—
(a)in the approved form; and
(b)accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.
(3)The application may be made—
(a)for more than 1 part of the area of the authority to prospect; and
(b)even if another part of the area of the authority is already a potential commercial area.
(4)However, each part to which the application relates must be part of the same authority to prospect.
(5)The application must include—
(a)a report for, or that includes, the proposed potential commercial area that—
(i)meets the requirements under section 231 for a commercial viability report; and
(ii)is still relevant to the circumstances of the proposed potential commercial area; and
(b)an evaluation program for—
(i)potential petroleum production or storage in the proposed potential commercial area; and
(ii)market opportunities for potential production or storage; and
(c)information about the compliance or noncompliance with the conditions of the authority.
(6)However, subsection (5)(a) does not apply if—
(a)a commercial viability report or an independent viability assessment relates to, or includes the proposed potential commercial area; and
(b)the report or assessment is still relevant to the circumstances of the proposed potential commercial area.

s 89 amd 2005 No. 3 s 49; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2019 No. 17 s 300

90Deciding potential commercial area application

(1)The Minister may declare an area the subject of the application to be a potential commercial area only if satisfied—
(a)the area is no more than is needed to cover the maximum extent of a natural underground reservoir identified in the report; and
(b)petroleum production or storage in the area to be declared, is not, and will not soon be, commercially viable, but is likely to become viable within 15 years.

Note—

See section 85.
(2)Also, the area declared must form a single parcel of land.
(3)In deciding the application, regard must be had to whether the conditions of the relevant authority to prospect have been substantially complied with.
(4)On refusal of the application, the applicant must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse.
(5)To remove any doubt, it is declared that the declaration may be made even if the authority to prospect has been continued in force under section 83 or 119.

s 90 amd 2010 No. 31 s 427 sch 2; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2019 No. 17 s 301

91Inclusion of evaluation program in work program

(1)If the declaration is made, the evaluation program that accompanied the application is taken to be an additional part of the existing work program for the authority to prospect.

Note—

For requirements about the evaluation program in later work programs, see section 53.
(2)If there is an inconsistency between the evaluation program and the rest of the work program, the evaluation program prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

s 91 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

92Term of declaration

(1)Subject to section 93, a declaration of a potential commercial area continues in force for—
(a)15 years from the making of the declaration; or
(b)if the declaration states a shorter period during which it is to be in force—the shorter period.
(2)The matters that must be considered in deciding the shorter period include—
(a)when any petroleum discovery was made; and
(b)any commercial viability report or independent viability assessment for, or that includes, the proposed potential commercial area.
(3)Despite subsection (1), the declaration ceases if the authority to prospect holder lodges a notice that the holder no longer wishes the area to be a potential commercial area.

Note—

See also section 102 (Effect of ending of declaration of potential commercial area).

s 92 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 47 s 608

93Extension of term of declaration

(1)If—
(a)a declaration of a potential commercial area is in force for the area of an authority to prospect; and
(b)under the Mineral Resources Act, chapter 8, part 2 or 3, a coal or oil shale mining lease has been granted over the area;

the Minister may, on the application of the authority to prospect holder, extend the term of the declaration for a period that ends no later than 2 years after the mining lease, or any renewal of the mining lease, ends.

(2)The application must be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.
(3)On refusal of the application, the applicant must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse.

s 93 amd 2004 No. 26 s 92; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2012 No. 20 ss 281 sch 2, 323 sch 3

94Potential commercial area still part of authority

A declaration of a potential commercial area does not change the land the subject of the declaration from being—
(a)part of the area of the authority to prospect the subject of the application for the declaration; and
(b)subject to the authority.

Division 7 Provisions to facilitate transition to petroleum lease

95Application of div 7

This division applies if the Minister reasonably considers the holder of an authority to prospect should apply for a petroleum lease for all or part of the area of the authority because—
(a)petroleum production in the area—
(i)is currently commercially viable; or
(ii)is likely to become commercially viable within 2 years; or
(b)a natural underground reservoir in the area is, or is likely to have, commercial storage potential.

96Ministerial direction to apply for petroleum lease

(1)The Minister may give the authority holder a notice stating each of the following—
(a)that the Minister proposes to do either of the following, (the proposed action) unless the holder has made an appropriate lease application—
(i)excise a stated area from the area of the authority;
(ii)cancel the authority;
(b)the grounds for the proposed action;
(c)the facts and circumstances forming the basis for the grounds;
(d)that the holder may, within a stated period, lodge submissions about why the holder should not make a petroleum lease application for the stated area.
(2)The stated period must be reasonable, but must not be more than 6 months.
(3)In this section—
appropriate lease application means a petroleum lease application for—
(a)the stated area or an area that is substantially the same as the stated area; or
(b)another area the Minister reasonably considers will effectively allow the holder to carry out authorised activities for a petroleum lease in relation to the stated area.

s 96 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

97Taking proposed action

(1)Proposed action under section 96 may be taken only if—
(a)the stated period under section 96 has ended; and
(b)either—
(i)the holder has not made an appropriate petroleum lease application under section 96; or
(ii)any appropriate lease application under section 96 made by the holder has been refused; and
(c)the Minister has considered any submissions lodged by the holder within the period.
(2)The decision does not take effect until the holder is given an information notice about the decision.
(3)A refusal of the application takes effect at end of the appeal period for the decision to refuse.

s 97 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Division 8 Miscellaneous provisions

Subdivision 1 Area provisions

98Area of authority to prospect

(1)This section provides for the area of an authority to prospect.
(2)The area does not include excluded land for the authority.

Note—

See also section 30AB(3) if land in the authority to prospect’s area is taken under a resumption law.
(3)Unless the Minister otherwise decides, the area must form a single parcel of land.
(4)The area must not include any of the following (unavailable land)—
(a)land in the area of another petroleum tenure;
(b)excluded land for another petroleum tenure;
(c)land in the area of a 1923 Act petroleum tenure;
(d)excluded land for a 1923 Act petroleum tenure;
(e)land that a regulation prescribes as land over which an authority to prospect can not be granted.
(5)To remove any doubt, it is declared that if land within the original notional sub-blocks of the authority ceases to be unavailable land, the cessation itself does not cause the land to be within the area of the authority.
(6)The area may include a part of a block only if the part is all areas within the block that are left after taking away all unavailable land within the block (a residual block).

Note—

See also section 30AB(3) if land in the authority to prospect’s area is taken under a resumption law.
(7)The area must be no more than 100 blocks or residual blocks, in any combination.

s 98 amd 2004 No. 26 s 93; 2012 No. 20 s 85

99Minister’s power to decide excluded land

(1)The Minister may decide excluded land for an authority to prospect or proposed authority to prospect.
(2)However, the power under subsection (1) may be exercised only when the Minister is deciding whether to—
(a)grant or renew the authority; or
(b)approve any later work program for the authority.
(3)However, excluded land—
(a)must be within the original notional sub-blocks of the authority; and
(b)can not be a whole block.
(4)For subsection (3)(a), if the register—
(a)states that the authority’s area includes land within a block; but
(b)does not include or exclude any particular sub-block within that block;

the reference to the block in the register is a reference to all sub-blocks within the block, other than any sub-block that is completely within the area of another petroleum tenure or a 1923 Act petroleum tenure.

(5)Excluded land may be described in a way the Minister considers appropriate, including, for example, by area or by reference to a stated type of land.
(6)Land ceases to be excluded land for an authority to prospect if—
(a)the block in which the land is located is relinquished or, for any other reason, ceases to be in the area of the authority; or
(b)a petroleum lease is granted over any of the area of the authority and the land is excluded land for the lease.

s 99 amd 2004 No. 26 s 94; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2018 No. 24 s 202

100Minister may add excluded land

(1)The Minister may amend an authority to prospect by adding excluded land for the authority to its area only if—
(a)the authority as amended complies with section 98; and
(b)the authority holder consents.
(2)If land mentioned in subsection (1) is added to the area of the authority the land ceases to be excluded land for the authority.
(3)The Minister may amend the provisions of the authority in a way that reflects the inclusion of the excluded land.
(4)Also, the Minister may give the authority holder a notice—
(a)withdrawing, from a stated day, the approval of the work program for the authority; and
(b)directing the holder to lodge a proposed later work program for the authority that—
(i)complies with the later work program requirements; and
(ii)changes the work program for the authority to reflect the inclusion of the excluded land.
(5)The amended provisions of the authority or the proposed later work program must not be—
(a)inconsistent with the mandatory conditions for authorities to prospect; or
(b)the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with, any relevant environmental condition for the authority.

s 100 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

101Area of authority to prospect reduced on grant of petroleum lease

(1)Land ceases to be included in the area of an authority to prospect if a petroleum lease is granted over the land.
(2)If a petroleum lease is granted over all of the area of an authority to prospect, the authority ends.

Note—

See however chapter 3, part 4, division 3 (Exceptions to particular area provisions).

s 101 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

102Effect of ending of declaration of potential commercial area

(1)This section applies if all or part of the area of an authority to prospect is a potential commercial area and the declaration of the potential commercial area ends more than 12 years after the authority originally took effect.
(2)If the declaration applied to a part of the area of the authority, the part ceases to be included in its area.
(3)If the declaration applies to all of the area of the authority, the authority ends.

Note—

If the declaration ends less than 12 years after the authority originally took effect, see section 94.

s 102 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Subdivision 2 Dividing authorities to prospect

103Applying to divide

(1)The holder of an authority to prospect (the original authority) may apply to divide it into 2 or more authorities to prospect (the new authorities).
(2)However, the holder may apply for a new authority to be granted to another person only if the other person—
(a)agrees to the proposed grant; and
(b)is an eligible person.
(3)Despite subsections (1) and (2), the holder can not make the application if any of the following is outstanding—
(a)annual rent for the original authority;
(b)a civil penalty under section 76 for nonpayment of annual rent;
(c)interest payable under section 588 on annual rent or a civil penalty;
(d)a royalty-related amount payable by the holder;
(e)security for the original authority, as required under section 488.

s 103 amd 2012 No. 25 s 154; 2014 No. 35 s 44

104Requirements for making application

The application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)state whether or not the work program for the original authority to prospect has been complied with; and
(c)if the work program for the original authority has not been complied with—state details of, and the reasons for, each noncompliance; and
(d)include a proposed later work program for each proposed new authority; and

Note—

For an additional requirement for the proposed work programs, see section 54.
(e)address the capability criteria for each proposed holder of the new authorities; and
(f)state whether or not the holder has complied with chapter 5, part 7, for reports required to be lodged in relation to the original authority; and
(g)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 104 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

105Deciding application

(1)The Minister may make or refuse to make the division.
(2)However—
(a)before deciding to make the division, the Minister must decide whether to approve the proposed later work programs for the new authorities; and
(b)the division can not be granted unless—
(i)the proposed programs have been approved; and
(ii)each proposed holder of the new authorities satisfies the capability criteria; and
(iii)the Minister is satisfied the applicant continues to satisfy any special criteria that applied for deciding the application for the original authority; and

Note—

See sections 35(2)(h)(iii) and 43.
(iv)the Minister is satisfied the applicant has substantially complied with the original authority.
(3)The matters that must be considered in making the division include the work program for the original authority, the proposed later work programs and the capability criteria.
(4)The Minister may, as a condition of making the division, require the applicant to, under section 488, give security or additional security for all or any of the new authorities within a stated reasonable period.
(5)If the applicant does not comply with the requirement, the division may be refused.

s 105 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2019 No. 17 s 302

106Provisions of new authorities

(1)Subject to this section, section 42 applies for the provisions of a new authority as if it were an authority to prospect granted under division 2.
(2)However—
(a)the term of each new authority must not end later than the end of the term of the original authority; and
(b)the new authorities must have the same relinquishment days as the original authority.
(3)For the relinquishment condition for the new authorities—
(a)the new authorities are taken to have originally taken effect when the original authority originally took effect; and
(b)the original notional sub-blocks of the original authority are divided rateably between the new authorities; and
(c)for working out previous relinquishments that are counted for the relinquishment condition for each new authority, the relinquishments previously counted for the relinquishment condition for the original authority are divided rateably between the new authorities.

107Steps after deciding application

(1)After the provisions of the new authorities are decided, the applicant and anyone else who will be a holder of any new authority, must be given notice of the relevant provisions and work program.

Note—

For noncompliance action started, or that could have been taken, against the original authority holder, see section 792.
(2)On refusal to make the division, the applicant must be given notice of the refusal.

s 107 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Subdivision 2A Amalgamating potential commercial areas

ch 2 pt 1 div 8 sdiv 2A hdg ins 2019 No. 17 s 303

107AA Applying to amalgamate

(1)The holder of an authority to prospect may apply to the Minister to amalgamate 2 or more potential commercial areas for the authority to prospect into a single potential commercial area for the authority to prospect (the amalgamated potential commercial area).
(2)The holder can not make an application under subsection (1) if—
(a)the holder has not complied with a provision of this Act; or
(b)any of the following amounts is outstanding in relation to the authority to prospect—
(i)annual rent;
(ii)a civil penalty under section 76 for non-payment of annual rent;
(iii)interest payable under section 588 on annual rent or a civil penalty;
(iv)a royalty-related amount payable by the holder;
(v)security required under section 488.

s 107AA ins 2019 No. 17 s 303

107AB Requirements for making application

The application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)include a report for, or that includes, the proposed amalgamated potential commercial area that—
(i)meets the requirements under section 231 for a commercial viability report; and
(ii)is still relevant to the circumstances of the proposed amalgamated potential commercial area; and
(c)include a proposed evaluation program for—
(i)potential petroleum production or storage in the proposed amalgamated potential commercial area; and
(ii)market opportunities for the potential petroleum production or storage mentioned in subparagraph (i); and
(d)be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.

s 107AB ins 2019 No. 17 s 303

107AC Deciding application

(1)The Minister may declare the amalgamated potential commercial area for the authority to prospect only if satisfied the area is no more than is needed to cover the maximum extent of a natural underground reservoir identified in the report mentioned in section 107AB(b).
(2)Also—
(a)before deciding to declare the amalgamated potential commercial area for the authority to prospect, the Minister must decide whether to approve the proposed evaluation program for the amalgamated potential commercial area; and
(b)the amalgamated potential commercial area can not be declared unless—
(i)the proposed evaluation program for the amalgamated potential commercial area has been approved; and
(ii)the Minister is satisfied the holder of the authority to prospect—
(A)continues to satisfy the capability criteria that applied in relation to the authority; and
(B)continues to satisfy any special criteria that applied in relation to the authority; and
(C)has substantially complied with the conditions of the authority.
(3)The Minister may, as a condition of declaring the amalgamated potential commercial area for the authority to prospect, require the applicant to give security or additional security for the authority to prospect, under section 488, within a stated reasonable period.
(4)If the applicant does not comply with a requirement under subsection (3), the application may be refused.

s 107AC ins 2019 No. 17 s 303

107AD Term of declaration

(1)A declaration of an amalgamated potential commercial area for an authority to prospect continues in force for—
(a)15 years from the making of the latest of the declarations of the potential commercial areas for the authorities to prospect that have been amalgamated; or
(b)the shorter period decided by the Minister when making the declaration and stated in the notice given under section 107AE(1).
(2)The matters that must be considered in deciding the shorter period include—
(a)when any petroleum discovery was made; and
(b)the report and proposed evaluation program mentioned in section 107AB(b) and (c) that accompanied the application for amalgamation or an independent viability assessment for, or that includes, the amalgamated potential commercial area.

s 107AD ins 2019 No. 17 s 303

amd 2020 No. 14 s 182

107AE Steps after deciding application

(1)If the Minister decides to declare the amalgamated potential commercial area for the authority to prospect, the Minister must give the holder of the authority to prospect notice of—
(a)the term of the declaration; and
(b)the evaluation program approved for the amalgamated potential commercial area.
(2)If the Minister decides to refuse to declare the amalgamated potential commercial area for the authority to prospect, the Minister must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

s 107AE ins 2019 No. 17 s 303

Subdivision 3 Special amendment of relinquishment requirements or work program

ch 2 pt 1 div 8 hdg ins 2014 No. 29 s 124C

107AApplication for special amendment

(1)The holder of an authority to prospect may apply to the Minister to approve an amendment (a special amendment) of either or both of the following—
(a)the operation of the relinquishment requirements for the authority to prospect;
(b)the work program for the authority to prospect.
(2)However, the holder may apply for the special amendment only if the special amendment is necessary because of—
(a)an exceptional event affecting the authority; or
(b)circumstances arising from the authority forming part of an exploration project.
(3)The application must state the event mentioned in subsection (2)(a), or the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2)(b), and how the event or circumstances justify the special amendment.
(4)The application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

s 107A ins 2014 No. 29 s 124C

amd 2019 No. 17 s 304

107BSpecial amendment of relinquishment requirements

(1)If the Minister approves a special amendment of the operation of the relinquishment requirements for an authority to prospect, the relinquishment requirements have effect subject to the special amendment.
(2)In approving the special amendment, the Minister may also approve a change of the conditions of the authority to prospect.
(3)On the day the approval takes effect, the change of the conditions also takes effect.

s 107B ins 2014 No. 29 s 124C

107CSpecial amendment of work program

(1)If the Minister approves a special amendment of the work program for an authority to prospect, the work program as amended has effect as if the amendment had been approved under division 3, subdivision 6.
(2)In approving the special amendment, the Minister may also approve a change of the conditions of the authority to prospect.
(3)On the day the approval takes effect, the change of the conditions also takes effect.

s 107C ins 2014 No. 29 s 124C

107DApproval of special amendment

(1)The Minister may approve a special amendment under this subdivision if the Minister considers the amendment is justified by an event mentioned in section 107A(2)(a) or circumstances mentioned in section 107A(2)(b).
(2)Without limiting the matters the Minister may have regard to, the Minister may have regard to—
(a)the optimisation of the development and use of the State’s petroleum resources; and
(b)whether, in the circumstances, the relinquishment requirements or the work program amendment provisions allow for sufficient flexibility to achieve the optimisation mentioned in paragraph (a).

s 107D ins 2014 No. 29 s 124C

amd 2019 No. 17 s 305

Part 2 Petroleum leases

Division 1 Key authorised activities

Subdivision 1 General provisions

108Operation of sdiv 1

(1)This subdivision provides for the key authorised activities for a petroleum lease.

Notes—

1For other authorised activities, see chapter 2, part 4, chapter 5, part 8 and the Common Provisions Act, chapter 3, part 2.
2The carrying out of particular activities on particular land in a petroleum lease’s area may not be authorised following the taking of the land under a resumption law. See section 30AB.
(2)The authorised activities may be carried out despite the rights of an owner or occupier of land on which they are exercised.
(3)However, the carrying out of the authorised activities is subject to—
(a)section 6; and
(b)subdivision 2; and
(c)chapter 3A, part 5; and
(d)chapter 3, part 5, division 1; and
(e)chapters 5 and 9; and
(f)the mandatory and other conditions of the lease; and
(g)any exclusion or restriction provided for in the lease on the carrying out of the activities; and
(h)any other relevant Act or law.

s 108 amd 2009 No. 3 s 544; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 86; 2014 No. 47 s 552

109Exploration, production and storage activities

(1)The lease holder may carry out the following activities in the area of the lease—
(a)exploring for petroleum;
(b)subject to sections 150A and 150C
(i)testing for petroleum production; and
(ii)evaluating the feasibility of petroleum production; and
(iii)testing natural underground reservoirs for storage of petroleum or a prescribed storage gas;
(c)petroleum production;
(d)evaluating, developing and using natural underground reservoirs for petroleum storage or to store prescribed storage gases, including, for example, to store petroleum or prescribed storage gases for others;
(e)plugging and abandoning, or otherwise remediating, a bore or well the lease holder reasonably believes is a legacy borehole and rehabilitating the surrounding area in compliance with the requirements prescribed under a regulation.
(2)However, the holder must not carry out any of the following—
(a)extraction or production of a gasification or retorting product from coal or oil shale by a chemical or thermal process;
(b)exploration for coal or oil shale to carry out extraction or production mentioned in paragraph (a);
(c)GHG stream storage;
(d)inject a GHG stream into the Great Artesian Basin for the purpose of enhanced petroleum recovery.
(3)The rights under subsection (1) may be exercised only by or for the holder.

Note—

See also section 800 (Restriction on petroleum tenure activities).

For who may exercise the rights for the holder, see section 563.

(4)The right to store petroleum or prescribed storage gases for others is subject to part 6.

s 109 amd 2009 No. 3 s 545; 2009 No. 16 s 75; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2014 No. 47 s 585; 2018 No. 24 s 203; 2024 No. 33 s 162B

110Construction and operation of petroleum pipelines

(1)The lease holder may construct and operate petroleum pipelines in the area of the lease.
(2)However, if a petroleum pipeline extends beyond the area of the lease, subsection (1) applies only if the pipeline is completely within—
(a)the area of the lease; and
(b)the area of 1 or more other petroleum leases that—
(i)are also held by the holder of the lease; or
(ii)are the subject of a coordination arrangement between the holder of the lease and the holder of each other lease.
(3)In this section—
petroleum pipeline means a pipeline as defined under section 16 other than a pipeline for transporting a GHG stream.

Notes—

1See also the GHG storage Act, section 386 (Restriction on GHG storage activities).
2For the granting of licences under this Act for pipelines for GHG streams, see sections 16, 394, 400 and 402.

s 110 amd 2004 No. 26 s 95; 2009 No. 3 s 546; 2009 No. 16 s 76; 2011 No. 20 s 186

sub 2012 No. 20 s 87

111Petroleum processing

(1)The lease holder may—
(a)carry out the processing of petroleum in the area of the lease; and
(b)construct and operate a facility for the processing, storage or transport of petroleum in the area of the lease.
(2)Subsection (1) applies for petroleum produced in or outside the area.
(3)In this section—
processing of petroleum—
(a)includes the separation of LPG only if the separation is incidental to other petroleum processing; and
(b)does not include refining petroleum.

s 111 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

111AProcessing produced water

(1)The lease holder may do each of the following in the area of the lease—
(a)carry out the processing of produced water;
(b)construct and operate a facility for the processing and storage of produced water.
(2)Subsection (1) applies for produced water—
(a)produced in or outside the area of the lease; and
(b)whether or not it is produced by the lease holder.
(3)In this section—
processing of produced water includes—
(a)treating produced water; and
(b)applying mechanical or chemical processes, or energy, to produced water.

s 111A ins 2012 No. 20 s 88

112Incidental activities

(1)The lease holder may carry out an activity (an incidental activity) in the area of the lease if carrying out the activity is reasonably necessary for, or incidental to—
(a)another authorised activity for the lease; or
(b)an authorised activity for another petroleum lease or an authority to prospect.

Examples of incidental activities—

1constructing or operating plant or works, including, for example, communication systems, compressors, powerlines, pumping stations, reservoirs, roads, evaporation or storage ponds and tanks
2constructing or using temporary structures or structures of an industrial or technical nature, including, for example, mobile and temporary camps
3removing vegetation for, or for the safety of, exploration or testing under section 150A(1) or 150C(1)

Note—

See also part 10, section 239, chapter 5 and section 20(2).
(2)However, constructing or using a structure, other than a temporary structure, for office or residential accommodation is not an incidental activity.

Note—

For development generally, see the Planning Act 2016, chapter 3.

s 112 amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 89; 2014 No. 47 s 609; 2016 No. 27 s 344; 2018 No. 24 s 204

Subdivision 2 Provisions for coextensive natural underground reservoirs

113Application of sdiv 2

This subdivision applies if a natural underground reservoir in the area of a petroleum lease extends to—
(a)the area of an adjacent petroleum lease or coal or oil shale mining lease (an adjacent lease); or
(b)if a person has applied for a petroleum lease, coal mining lease or oil shale mining lease that will, if granted, be an adjacent lease—the area of the proposed lease.

Note—

See also section 52A (Application of 2004 Act provisions about coextensive natural underground reservoirs) of the 1923 Act.

s 113 amd 2004 No. 26 s 96; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

114Coordination arrangement may be made about mining or production from reservoir

The petroleum lease holder and an adjacent lease holder, or proposed adjacent lease holder, may make a coordination arrangement that provides for the petroleum that can, under the Mineral Resources Act or this Act, be produced from the reservoir from within the area of the petroleum lease and the adjacent lease, or proposed adjacent lease.

Notes—

1See the Mineral Resources Act, section 318CM (Limited entitlement to mine coal seam gas).
2For the making of coordination arrangements, see part 8.

s 114 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

115Restriction on carrying out particular authorised activities

(1)The petroleum lease holder must not carry out a relevant activity for an adjacent lease or proposed adjacent lease unless—
(a)the adjacent lease holder, or the proposed adjacent lease holder, has consented in writing to the carrying out of the activity; or
(b)the activity is carried out under—
(i)a coordination arrangement mentioned in section 114; or
(ii)a decision of the Land Court under section 116.
(2)However, if the adjacent lease was granted after the petroleum lease was granted and, when the adjacent lease was granted, the petroleum lease holder was carrying out the relevant activity, subsection (1) does not apply to the petroleum lease holder until the later of the following—
(a)6 months after granting of the adjacent lease;
(b)if within the 6 months the petroleum lease holder applies to the Land Court under section 116—when the Land Court decides the application.
(3)In this section—
relevant activity, for an adjacent lease or proposed adjacent lease, means—
(a)the production, under the petroleum lease, of petroleum that comes, or is likely to come, from the part of the reservoir that is in the area of an adjacent lease or the proposed adjacent lease; or
(b)another authorised activity under the petroleum lease that physically adversely affects, or may physically adversely affect, the carrying out of authorised activities under an adjacent lease or the proposed adjacent lease.

s 115 amd 2004 No. 26 s 97; 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

116Dispute resolution by Land Court

(1)This section applies if—
(a)an adjacent lease holder, or the proposed adjacent lease holder, has not consented in writing to the carrying out of a relevant activity under section 115; and
(b)the petroleum lease holder and the adjacent lease holder or proposed adjacent lease holder (the parties) have not made a coordination arrangement mentioned in section 114.
(2)Either party may apply to the Land Court for it to decide—
(a)the amount or proportion of petroleum mentioned in section 114 that, when produced, is owned by each party; and
(b)how the parties are to bear the costs of the production; and
(c)how the production is to be coordinated or monitored; and

Example for paragraph (c)—

fixing a minimum distance from the boundary between the petroleum lease and the adjacent lease for petroleum production from the reservoir under the petroleum lease
(d)remediation requirements, as prescribed under a regulation, in relation to the matters mentioned in section 115(3), definition relevant activity, paragraph (b).
(3)If the adjacent lease was granted after the petroleum lease was granted, the decision may apply from the grant of the adjacent lease.
(4)In making the decision, the Land Court—
(a)must consider whether the safety of production activities on any adjoining mining or petroleum lease would be compromised; and
(b)must attempt to optimise petroleum production under the petroleum lease and mining or production under the adjacent lease in a way that maximises the benefit for all Queenslanders; and
(c)may make the decision without having regard to the issue of who would have, under another Act or law, otherwise owned the petroleum.
(5)In considering the benefit to all Queenslanders, the Land Court must have regard to the public interest.

s 116 amd 2004 No. 26 s 98; 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch; 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

Division 2 Transition from authority to prospect to petroleum lease

Subdivision 1 Applying for petroleum lease

117Who may apply

(1)An authority to prospect holder or a 1923 Act ATP holder may apply for a petroleum lease over all or part of the area of the authority.

Note—

For inclusion of acquired land that was previously in the authority to prospect’s or 1923 Act ATP’s area, see section 30AC(3).
(2)Also, a person other than the holder may apply for the lease—
(a)jointly with the holder; or
(b)with the holder’s consent.
(3)An application under this section is an ATP-related application.

s 117 amd 2005 No. 3 s 50; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 90

118Requirements for making ATP-related application

An ATP-related application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)address the capability criteria; and
(c)include each of the following—
(i)a statement about why the size of the proposed area of the proposed petroleum lease is appropriate for authorised activities under the lease;
(ii)information about the matter under section 121(2) on which the applicant seeks to rely to establish the requirements for the grant;
(iii)a proposed development plan that complies with the initial development plan requirements; and
(d)include information to satisfy the requirements for grant mentioned in section 121; and
(e)if the proposed authorised activities relate to petroleum production—include a statement by a suitably qualified person that the proposed area contains commercial quantities of petroleum; and
(f)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 118 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2011 No. 16 s 13; 2012 No. 20 ss 268, 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 29 s 124D; 2014 No. 47 s 610

118A Rejection of ATP-related application if applicant disqualified

(1)The Minister must reject an ATP-related application for a petroleum lease if the Minister decides the applicant is disqualified under the Common Provisions Act, chapter 7 from being granted the petroleum lease.
(2)On rejection of the application, the Minister must give the applicant a notice about the decision.

s 118A ins 2020 No. 14 s 183

119Continuing effect of authority to prospect for ATP-related application

(1)This section applies if, other than for subsection (2), the relevant authority to prospect would, other than by cancellation under this Act, end before the ATP-related application is decided.
(2)The authority continues in force in relation to the area the subject of the application until the earlier of the following to happen—
(a)the start of the term of the petroleum lease;
(b)a refusal of the ATP-related application takes effect;
(c)the application is withdrawn.
(3)Despite any ending of the program period for the current work program for the authority—
(a)the authority is taken to have a work program; and
(b)the holder may carry out any authorised activity for the authority.

s 119 sub 2004 No. 26 s 99

amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Subdivision 2 Deciding ATP-related applications

120Right to grant if requirements for grant met

(1)Subject to sections 122 and 123A, the Minister must grant the petroleum lease if the Minister is satisfied the requirements mentioned in section 121 (the requirements for grant) have been complied with.

Note—

If the application relates to acquired land that was previously in the relevant authority to prospect’s or 1923 Act ATP’s area, see also section 30AC.
(2)The lease must be refused if the Minister is not satisfied any requirement for grant, other than the requirement mentioned section 121(1)(c), has been complied with.
(3)If the Minister is satisfied the requirements for grant, other than the requirement mentioned section 121(1)(c), have been complied with, the Minister may grant the lease.

s 120 amd 2005 No. 57 s 4; 2012 No. 20 s 91

121Requirements for grant

(1)The requirements for grant are each of the following—
(a)the applicant is an eligible person;
(b)the proposed area of the proposed petroleum lease—
(i)is appropriate for the authorised activities proposed to be carried out; and
(ii)if the authorised activities relate to petroleum production—contains commercial quantities of petroleum; and
(iii)if the authorised activities relate to storage of petroleum or a prescribed storage gas—contains an adequately identified natural underground reservoir that is adequate for the proposed purpose of the lease;
(c)the conditions of the relevant authority to prospect have been substantially complied with;
(d)the Minister has approved the applicant’s proposed initial development plan for the lease;
(e)the Minister is of the opinion that the applicant is capable of carrying out authorised activities for the lease, having regard to the applicant’s—
(i)financial and technical resources; and
(ii)ability to manage petroleum exploration and production;
(f)a relevant environmental authority for the lease has been issued;
(g)the applicant has established 1 of the matters mentioned in subsection (2);
(h)the applicant has paid the annual rent for the first year of the proposed lease;
(i)the applicant has given, under section 488, security for the lease.
(2)For subsection (1)(g), the matters are any of the following—
(a)commercial petroleum production in the area of the lease is, or is likely, within 2 years after the lease is to take effect;
(b)the applicant has—
(i)entered into a contract, coordination arrangement or other arrangement (a relevant arrangement) to supply petroleum produced from the area of the lease; and
(ii)lodged a written declaration that the petroleum produced from the area of the lease will meet all or some of the petroleum required to be supplied under the relevant arrangement;
(c)the area of the lease is suitable for underground storage of petroleum or a prescribed storage gas and the storage will, or is likely to, start before the later of the following to happen—
(i)the end of 5 years after the lease is to take effect;
(ii)the end of the plan period for the applicant’s proposed development plan for the lease.
(3)The matters mentioned in subsection (1)(e) are the capability criteria.
(4)A person satisfies the capability criteria if the Minister forms the opinion about the person mentioned in subsection (1)(e).

s 121 amd 2004 No. 26 s 100; 2005 No. 3 s 51; 2009 No. 16 s 77; 2010 No. 31 s 429; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 29 s 124E

122Exception for particular relevant arrangements

Despite section 120, the application may be refused if the Minister—
(a)is not satisfied of a matter under section 121(2)(a) or (c); and
(b)is satisfied the applicant has entered into a relevant arrangement, but the Minister reasonably believes—
(i)the arrangement is not an arms-length commercial transaction; or
(ii)supply under the arrangement is unlikely to be carried out.

123Provisions of petroleum lease

(1)Each petroleum lease must state its term and area.
(2)The term must—
(a)be for at least the plan period for the initial development plan for the lease; and
(b)end no later than 30 years after the lease takes effect.
(3)The lease may also state—
(a)conditions or other provisions of the lease, other than conditions or provisions that are—
(i)inconsistent with the mandatory conditions for petroleum leases; or
(ii)the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with, any relevant environmental condition for the lease; and
(b)a day for the lease to take effect; and
(c)a day by which petroleum production under the lease is to start.
(3A)The conditions of the lease may include an Australian market supply condition applying to all or part of the area of the lease.
(4)However, the provisions of the lease may exclude or restrict the carrying out of an authorised activity for the lease.
(5)The day of effect must not be before the day the lease is granted.
(6)If no day of effect is decided, the lease takes effect on the day it is granted.
(7)The production commencement day may be more than 2 years after the day of effect only if the Minister is satisfied the holder has entered into a relevant arrangement.
(8)The matters that must be considered in deciding the provisions of the lease include the development plan criteria and capability criteria.
(9)This section applies subject to section 123A.

s 123 amd 2005 No. 57 s 5; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2011 No. 16 s 14; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

123AProvisions about grant and conditions of petroleum lease for coordinated project

(1)This section applies if a petroleum lease or proposed petroleum lease is for a coordinated project.
(2)The Minister must not grant the lease until the Minister has been given the Coordinator-General’s report for the project.
(3)Any Coordinator-General’s conditions for the lease must be stated in the lease.
(4)Any other condition of the lease stated under section 123 must not be inconsistent with the Coordinator-General’s conditions.
(5)If a mandatory condition for petroleum leases conflicts with any of the Coordinator-General’s conditions, the Coordinator-General’s condition prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

s 123A ins 2005 No. 57 s 6

amd 2012 No. 43 s 325 sch 2

124Information notice about refusal

On refusal of the application, the applicant must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse.

Note—

See however section 829 (Restriction on Land Court’s powers for decision not to grant petroleum lease).

s 124 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

125When refusal takes effect

A refusal of the application does not take effect until the end of the appeal period for the decision to refuse.

s 125 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Division 3 Obtaining petroleum lease by competitive tender

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

126Operation of div 3

(1)This division provides for a process for the granting of petroleum leases by competitive tender.
(2)To remove any doubt, it is declared that a petroleum lease can only be granted under this division, division 2 or division 7, subdivision 2.

Subdivision 2 Calls for tenders

127Call for tenders

(1)The Minister may publish a notice (a call for tenders) inviting tenders for a petroleum lease.
(2)The call must state—
(a)the proposed area of the lease; and
(b)that, under section 169, particular land may be excluded land for the lease; and
(c)the day and time by which tenders in response to it must be made (the closing time for the call); and
(d)that the tenders must be lodged before the closing time for the call; and
(e)that details about each of the following are available at a stated place—
(i)any proposed conditions of the lease, other than mandatory conditions for petroleum leases, that are likely to impact significantly on exploration or production in the proposed area of the lease;
(ii)the required plan period for the initial development plan for the lease;
(iii)any criteria (special criteria), other than the development plan criteria and capability criteria, proposed to be used to decide whether to grant the lease or to decide its provisions;
(iv)whether a process for appointing a preferred tenderer involving a cash bid component is to be used for deciding the call;
(v)if any part of the proposed area of the lease is to be subject to an Australian market supply condition—the part of the proposed area and the condition.
(3)The call may state other relevant matters, including, for example, matters relevant to the development plan, capability or special criteria.
(4)The area of the proposed lease must comply with section 168.
(5)Subsection (2)(e)(i) does not limit the power under section 133 to decide conditions of the lease if it is granted.

s 127 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2011 No. 16 s 15; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2013 No. 10 s 169

128Right to tender

(1)An eligible person may tender for a proposed petroleum lease the subject of a call for tenders.
(2)However, the tender—
(a)must comply with the requirements under section 118 for making an ATP-related application; and
(b)must be lodged; and
(c)can not be made—
(i)after the closing time for the call; or
(ii)for only part of the area of the proposed petroleum lease.
(3)Also, if a process for appointing a preferred tenderer involving a cash bid component is to be used for deciding the call, the tender must be accompanied by the tenderer’s cash bid.

s 128 amd 2011 No. 2 s 103; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2013 No. 10 s 170

128A Rejection of tender if tenderer disqualified

(1)The Minister must reject a tender for a petroleum lease if the Minister decides the tenderer is disqualified under the Common Provisions Act, chapter 7 from being granted the petroleum lease.
(2)On rejection of the tender, the Minister must give the tenderer a notice about the decision.

s 128A ins 2020 No. 14 s 184

129Right to terminate call for tenders

(1)The Minister may, by gazette notice, terminate a call for tenders at any time before deciding to grant a petroleum lease to a person who has made a tender in response to the call.
(2)All tenders in response to the call lapse when the call is terminated.
(3)No amount, whether by way of compensation, reimbursement or otherwise is payable by the State to any person for or in connection with the termination.
(4)However, subject to sections 131(4) and 845(5), the Minister must refund any tender security given by the tenderer.

s 129 amd 2013 No. 10 s 171

Subdivision 3 Deciding tenders

130Process for deciding tenders

(1)Subject to section 134, any process the Minister considers appropriate may be used to decide a call for tenders, including, for example—
(a)a process appointing a preferred tenderer on the tenders made in response to the call (whether or not involving a cash bid component); or
(b)a process involving short-listing a group of possible preferred tenderers and inviting them to engage in another round of tendering before appointing a preferred tenderer from that group.
(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may give a tenderer a notice requiring the tenderer to give the Minister, within the reasonable period stated in the notice, information the Minister reasonably requires to assess the tender.

s 130 amd 2013 No. 10 s 172

131Provisions for preferred tenderers

(1)The Minister may require a preferred tenderer for the call for tenders to—
(a)pay any amounts necessarily incurred, or to be incurred, to enable the petroleum lease to be granted; and

Example—

amounts required to comply with the Commonwealth Native Title Act, part 2, division 3, subdivision P
(b)to do all or any of the following within a stated reasonable period—
(i)pay the annual rent for the first year of the lease;
(ii)give security for the lease, as required under section 488.
(2)If a preferred tenderer does not—
(a)comply with a requirement under subsection (1); or
(b)do all things reasonably necessary to allow a petroleum lease to be granted to the tenderer;

the Minister may revoke the tenderer’s appointment as the preferred tenderer.

(3)However, before acting under subsection (2), the Minister must give the preferred tenderer a reasonable opportunity to provide reasons for, and rectify, the tenderer’s failure to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) or (2)(b).
(4)If the Minister revokes the tenderer’s appointment as the preferred tenderer under this section, the Minister may—
(a)retain the whole or part of any tender security given by the tenderer, if the Minister considers it reasonable in the circumstances; and
(b)appoint another tenderer to be the preferred tenderer.

s 131 amd 2013 No. 10 s 173

132Deciding whether to grant petroleum lease

(1)The Minister may, after the closing time for the call for tenders—
(a)grant a petroleum lease to 1 tenderer; or
(b)refuse to grant any petroleum lease.
(2)However—
(a)before deciding to grant the lease, the Minister must decide whether to approve the applicant’s proposed initial development plan for the lease; and
(b)the Minister can not grant the lease unless—
(i)the tenderer is an eligible person; and
(ii)the proposed plan has been approved; and
(iii)the Minister is satisfied the requirements for grant, other than the requirement mentioned in section 121(1)(c), have been complied with; and
(iv)a relevant environmental authority for the lease has been issued.

Note—

If a tender relates to acquired land, see also section 30AC.
(3)This section applies subject to section 123A.

s 132 amd 2005 No. 57 s 7; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 92

133Provisions of petroleum lease

Sections 123 and 123A apply to a petroleum lease granted under this division as if the tender for the lease was an ATP-related application.

s 133 amd 2005 No. 57 s 8

134Criteria for decisions

(1)The matters that must be considered in deciding whether to grant a petroleum lease or its provisions include the development plan criteria, capability criteria and any special criteria.
(2)The Minister may give the weight to each of the development plan, capability and special criteria that the Minister considers appropriate in the circumstances.

135Notice to unsuccessful tenderers

(1)After a call for tenders has been decided, each tenderer not granted the petroleum lease must be given notice of the decision.

Note—

See also the Judicial Review Act 1991, section 32 (Request for statement of reasons).
(2)Subject to sections 131(4) and 845(5), the Minister must refund any tender security given by the tenderer.

s 135 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2013 No. 10 s 174

Division 4 Development plans

Subdivision 1 Function and purpose of development plan

136Function and purpose

(1)The development plan for a petroleum lease or proposed petroleum lease (the relevant lease) gives detailed information about the nature and extent of activities to be carried out under the relevant lease.
(2)The development plan may—
(a)also relate to another petroleum lease or proposed petroleum lease if the other lease or proposed lease relates to the relevant lease; and
(b)provide that when the plan is approved it will replace any development plan for the other lease.
(3)The purposes of giving the information are to—
(a)allow resource management decisions to be made; and
(b)ensure appropriate development of the lease.

Subdivision 2 Requirements for proposed initial development plans

137Operation of sdiv 2

This subdivision provides for requirements (the initial development plan requirements) for a proposed initial development plan for a proposed petroleum lease.

Note—

For additional requirements for development plans for coal seam gas, see chapter 3, part 6.

s 137 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

138General requirements

(1)The proposed plan must provide for each of the following—
(a)an overview of the activities proposed to be carried out under the lease or proposed lease during all of its term;
(b)for each year of the plan period—
(i)the nature and extent of activities proposed to be carried out under the lease or proposed lease during the year; and
(ii)where the activities are proposed to be carried out; and
(iii)the estimated cost of the activities;
(c)for each natural underground reservoir in the area of the lease of which the applicant is aware, each of the following—
(i)the location and a verifiable estimate of the amount of petroleum in the reservoir;
(ii)the standards and procedures used to make the estimate;
(iii)the rate and amount of production proposed from the reservoir;
(iv)approximately when the proposed production is to start;
(v)a schedule for the proposed production during the plan period;
(d)maps that show the matters mentioned in paragraphs (b)(i) and (ii) and (c)(i);
(e)any other information relevant to the development plan criteria;
(f)reasons why the plan is considered appropriate;
(g)another matter prescribed under a regulation.
(2)A regulation may impose requirements about the form of the development plan.
(3)In this section—
year, of the plan period, means—
(a)the period starting on the day the plan period starts and ending on the first anniversary of that day; and
(b)each subsequent period of 12 months or less during the plan period, starting on each anniversary of that day and ending on—
(i)the next anniversary of that day; or
(ii)if the plan period ends before the next anniversary—the day the plan period ends.

139Plan period

(1)The proposed plan must state its period.
(2)If the proposed plan relates to a tender, the period must be the same as the required period under the relevant call for tenders.
(3)If the proposed plan relates to an ATP-related application, the period must not be longer than—
(a)if the term sought for the lease is less than 5 years from the granting of the lease—the term of the lease; or
(b)if the term sought for the lease is 5 years or more from the start of the term—5 years from the start of the term.

s 139 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

140Storage

If natural underground reservoir storage is proposed, the proposed plan must include the following—
(a)a program for evaluating, developing and using the reservoir;
(b)a verifiable estimate of its storage capacity;
(c)the standards and procedures used to make the estimate;
(d)a schedule for the storage injection and withdrawal;
(e)another matter prescribed under a regulation.

Subdivision 3 Criteria for deciding whether to approve proposed initial development plans

Note—

For the requirement for approval of an initial development plan, see sections 120 and 132.

141Criteria

The matters that must be considered in deciding whether to approve a proposed development plan include each of the following (the development plan criteria)—
(a)the potential of the area of the proposed petroleum lease for petroleum production and related activities;
(b)the nature and extent of the activities;
(c)when and where the activities are proposed to be carried out;
(d)whether petroleum production sought under the lease will be optimised in the best interests of the State, having regard to the public interest.

Subdivision 4 Requirements for proposed later development plans

142Operation of sdiv 4

This subdivision provides for requirements (the later development plan requirements) for a proposed later development plan for a petroleum lease.

Note—

For the requirements to lodge a proposed later development plan, see sections 159 (Obligation to lodge proposed later development plan), 170 (Minister may add excluded land), 372 (Requirements for making application) and 790 (Types of noncompliance action that may be taken).

s 142 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2008 No. 56 s 92 sch

143General requirements

(1)The proposed plan must—
(a)comply with the initial development plan requirements, as if the reference in section 139(3) to the term sought for the lease were a reference to the remaining term, or the renewed term, of the lease; and
(b)highlight any significant changes from the current development plan for the lease; and
(c)if the current development plan has not been complied with—state the details of, and the reasons for, each noncompliance.
(2)If the effect of the proposed plan is to significantly change an activity provided for under the current development plan for the lease, the proposed plan must also state reasons for the change.
(3)Also, for a significant change that is a cessation or reduction of petroleum production, the proposed plan must include an evaluation of—
(a)petroleum production potential in the area of the lease; and
(b)market opportunities for petroleum production in the area of the lease.

144Later development plans for proposed new leases

Proposed later development plans for an application under division 7, subdivision 2, to divide a petroleum lease must have a combined effect that is at least the effect of the development plan for the original lease.

Subdivision 5 Approval of proposed later development plans

145Application of sdiv 5

This subdivision applies if—
(a)under this Act, a proposed later development plan is lodged for approval; or

Note—

For requirements to lodge a proposed later development plan, see sections 100, 159, 170, 372 and 790, division 6 and division 7, subdivision 2.
(b)the Minister is considering an application under section 235 for approval of a proposed coordination arrangement.

s 145 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

145AModified application of ch 14, pt 1

Chapter 14, part 1 applies in relation to the lodgement by a petroleum lease holder of a proposed later development plan as if—
(a)the lodgement of the proposed plan were the making of an application by the holder; and
(b)the later development plan requirements for the proposed plan were the requirements under chapter 14, part 1 for making the application.

s 145A ins 2014 No. 47 s 611

146Petroleum lease taken to have development plan until decision on whether to approve proposed development plan

(1)This section applies until—
(a)if the proposed plan is approved—the holder is given notice of the approval; or
(b)if approval of the proposed plan is refused—when the refusal takes effect.
(2)Despite the ending of the plan period for the current development plan for the petroleum lease—
(a)the lease is taken to have a development plan; and
(b)the holder may carry out any authorised activity for the lease.

s 146 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

147Deciding whether to approve proposed plan

(1)The Minister may approve or refuse to approve the proposed plan.
(2)The matters that must be considered in deciding whether to approve the proposed plan include each of the following—
(a)the development plan criteria;
(b)the extent to which the current development plan for the lease has been complied with;
(c)if the proposed plan provides for a significant change that is a cessation or reduction of petroleum production—
(i)whether the cessation or reduction is reasonable; and
(ii)whether the petroleum lease holder has taken all reasonable steps to prevent the cessation or reduction.
(3)Also, if the lease was granted in response to a tender, any other development plan proposed by other tenderers for the lease must be taken into account.
(4)However, subsection (3) applies only to the extent the other plan includes the period of the proposed plan.
(5)The Minister may give the holder of the petroleum lease a notice requiring the holder to give the Minister, within the reasonable period stated in the notice, information the Minister reasonably requires to decide whether to approve the proposed plan.
(6)If the holder does not comply with the requirement, the Minister may refuse to approve the proposed plan.

s 147 amd 2020 No. 14 s 185

148Power to require relinquishment

(1)This section applies if the proposed plan provides for a significant change that is a cessation or reduction of petroleum production.
(2)The Minister may approve the proposed plan, but—
(a)decide (a deferral decision)—
(i)to defer the taking of effect of the approval until the petroleum lease holder relinquishes, by a lodged notice, a stated part or percentage of the area of the lease on or before a stated day; and
(ii)that the decision to approve the proposed plan is replaced by a decision not to approve it if the notice is not lodged on or before the stated day; or
(b)impose a condition on the lease requiring its holder to relinquish, by a lodged notice, a stated part or percentage of the area of the lease at stated times or intervals.
(3)The public interest must be considered before making a deferral decision or imposing the condition.
(4)A relinquishment under subsection (2)(a)(i) takes effect on the day after the notice is lodged.

s 148 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

149Steps after, and taking effect of, decision

(1)On approval of the proposed later development plan, the holder must be given notice of the approval.
(2)The approval takes effect when the holder is given the notice or, if the notice states a later day of effect, on that later day.
(3)The holder must be given an information notice about—
(a)a decision to refuse to approve the proposed plan; or
(b)a decision, under section 148, to make a deferral decision or impose a condition.
(4)A refusal does not takes effect until the end the appeal period for the decision to refuse.

Division 5 Key mandatory conditions for petroleum leases

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

ch 2 pt 2 div 5 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2014 No. 47 s 612

150Operation of div 5

This division provides for particular mandatory conditions for petroleum leases.

Notes—

1The following provisions also impose mandatory conditions on petroleum leases—
division 1
parts 4 and 10
sections 181 and 202
part 6, division 2, subdivision 2
chapter 3, part 5, division 2
chapter 3A, part 5
chapter 5.
2For what is a mandatory condition, see section 20(2).

s 150 amd 2009 No. 3 s 547; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1

Subdivision 2 Key mandatory conditions for particular types of testing

ch 2 pt 2 div 5 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2014 No. 47 s 613

150A PL production testing

(1)Subject to section 151, a petroleum lease holder may carry out testing for petroleum production for a petroleum well (PL production testing) within the area of the lease.
(2)However, it is a condition of the petroleum lease that—
(a)the holder gives the chief executive a notice, containing the information prescribed by regulation, in relation to the PL production testing within 20 business days after the testing starts; and
(b)the testing is carried out after the end date for the testing only with the Minister’s approval.
(3)The Minister may, at any time, approve the carrying out after the end date for PL production testing (the original PL production testing) of further PL production testing and the approval is subject to the conditions the Minister considers appropriate.
(4)If the Minister decides not to approve the carrying out of further PL production testing, the Minister must give the petroleum lease holder an information notice about the decision.

s 150A ins 2014 No. 47 s 613

150B Approval of particular ATP production testing taken to be approval for PL production testing

(1)This section applies if—
(a)under section 71A(3), the Minister has approved the carrying out of further ATP production testing by an authority to prospect holder for a petroleum well within an area (the original approval); and
(b)the Minister grants the holder a petroleum lease under section 120 or 340 for the area, or a part of the area containing the petroleum well.
(2)The original approval continues in existence for the further ATP production testing, and is taken to be an approval by the Minister, under section 150A(3) (the transitional approval), of further PL production testing for the petroleum well.
(3)The transitional approval is subject to—
(a)the conditions to which the original approval is subject under section 71A(3); and
(b)any new conditions the Minister considers appropriate.

s 150B ins 2014 No. 47 s 613 (amd 2016 No. 30 s 111)

150C PL storage testing

(1)Subject to section 151, a petroleum lease holder may carry out testing for the storage of petroleum or a prescribed storage gas in a natural underground reservoir (PL storage testing) within the area of the lease.
(2)However, it is a condition of the petroleum lease that—
(a)the holder gives the chief executive a notice, containing the information prescribed by regulation, in relation to the PL storage testing within 20 business days after the testing starts; and
(b)the testing is carried out after the end date for the testing only with the Minister’s approval.
(3)Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may, at any time, approve the carrying out after the end date for PL storage testing (the original PL storage testing) of further PL storage testing and the approval is subject to the conditions the Minister considers appropriate.
(4)An approval may not be given under subsection (3) more than 1 day before the end date for the original PL storage testing.
(5)If the Minister decides not to approve the carrying out of further PL storage testing, the Minister must give the petroleum lease holder an information notice about the decision.
(6)Despite subsections (1) to (3), a petroleum lease holder must not—
(a)carry out GHG stream storage; or
(b)inject a GHG stream into the Great Artesian Basin for the purpose of enhanced petroleum recovery.

s 150C ins 2014 No. 47 s 613

amd 2024 No. 33 s 164A

150D Approval of particular ATP storage testing taken to be approval for PL storage testing

(1)This section applies if—
(a)under section 71B(3), the Minister has approved the carrying out of further ATP storage testing by an authority to prospect holder for a natural underground reservoir within an area (the original approval); and
(b)the Minister grants the holder a petroleum lease under section 120 for the area, or a part of the area containing the natural underground reservoir.
(2)The original approval continues in existence for the further ATP storage testing, and is taken to be an approval by the Minister, under section 150C(3) (the transitional approval), of further PL storage testing for the reservoir within the area of the petroleum lease.
(3)The transitional approval is subject to—
(a)the conditions to which the original approval is subject under section 71B(3); and
(b)any new conditions the Minister considers appropriate.

s 150D ins 2014 No. 47 s 613

150E Petroleum lease holder must notify chief executive if testing stops

If a petroleum lease holder stops carrying out any PL production testing or PL storage testing within the area of the lease for a continuous period of 14 days or more, the holder must give the chief executive a notice, containing the information prescribed by regulation, in relation to the testing within 20 business days after the testing stops.

s 150E ins 2014 No. 47 s 613

Subdivision 3 Other key mandatory conditions

ch 2 pt 2 div 5 sdiv 3 hdg ins 2014 No. 47 s 613

151Restriction on flaring or venting

(1)A petroleum lease holder must not flare or vent petroleum in a gaseous state produced under the lease unless the flaring or venting is authorised under this section.
(2)Flaring the gas is authorised if it is not commercially or technically feasible to use it—
(a)commercially under the lease; or
(b)for an authorised activity for the lease.
(3)Venting the gas is authorised if—
(a)it is not safe to use the gas for a purpose mentioned in subsection (2)(a) or (b) or to flare it; or
(b)flaring it is not technically practicable.
(4)Venting the gas is also authorised if—
(a)it is being used, or is proposed to be used, under a greenhouse abatement scheme; and
(b)if subsection (1) were to apply, the direct or indirect benefit the lease holder would otherwise obtain because of the use of the gas under the scheme would be reduced.
(5)In this section—
greenhouse abatement scheme means—
(a)the Electricity Supply Act 1995 (NSW), part 8A; or

Note—

See, in particular, the Greenhouse Gas Benchmark Rule (Generation) No. 2 of 2003, paragraph 10.1 (Total greenhouse gas emissions), made under the Electricity Supply Act 1995 (NSW), part 8A, section 97K.
(b)the Commonwealth’s Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program; or
(c)another scheme about the abatement of greenhouse gases prescribed under a regulation.

s 151 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 101, 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

152[Repealed]

s 152 amd 2004 No. 26 s 102; 2009 No. 3 s 548

om 2014 No. 47 s 615A (ins 2016 No. 30 s 112)

153[Repealed]

s 153 sub 2010 No. 31 s 482

om 2014 No. 47 s 614

154Obligation to commence production

(1)A petroleum lease holder must start petroleum production under the lease on or before the later of the following—
(a)the end of 2 years after the lease takes effect;
(b)any production commencement day for the lease.
(2)However, subsection (1) does not apply if the development plan for the lease only provides for natural underground reservoir storage.

155Petroleum royalty and annual rent

(1)A petroleum lease holder must pay the State—
(a)petroleum royalty as required under chapter 6; and
(b)the annual rent, as prescribed under a regulation.
(2)The annual rent must be paid in the way, and on or before the day, prescribed under a regulation.

s 155 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

156Civil penalty for nonpayment of annual rent

(1)If a petroleum lease holder does not pay the annual rent as required under section 155, the holder must also pay the State a civil penalty.
(2)The amount of the penalty is 15% of the rent.
(3)The penalty—
(a)must be paid on the day after the last day for payment of the rent; and
(b)is still payable even if the holder later pays the rent.

156A Local government rates and charges

A petroleum lease holder must pay all rates and charges payable to the local government in whose area the lease is situated.

s 156A ins 2024 No. 12 s 102

157Requirement to have development plan

The holder of a petroleum lease must have a development plan for the lease.

Notes—

1The only development plan for a petroleum lease is its current initial or later development plan as approved under division 4.
2For the requirements to lodge a proposed later development plan see sections 159, 170, 372 and 790.
3For approval of proposed later development plans see division 4, subdivision 5.

s 157 amd 2004 No. 26 s 103

158Compliance with development plan

(1)A petroleum lease holder must comply with the development plan for the lease.
(2)However, subsection (1) does not apply to a failure to comply with the plan that is an act or omission by the holder to ensure compliance with an insufficiency of supply direction under the Gas Supply Act 2003.

s 158 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

159Obligation to lodge proposed later development plan

(1)This section imposes an obligation on a petroleum lease holder to lodge a proposed later development plan for the lease.

Notes—

1For approval of the proposed plan, see division 4, subdivision 5.
2If the holder wishes to renew the lease, a proposed later development plan must be included in the renewal application. See section 162(1).
(2)The obligation is complied with only if the proposed later development plan—
(a)is lodged; and
(b)complies with the later development plan requirements; and
(c)is accompanied by the relevant fee.
(3)A proposed later development plan must be lodged—
(a)at least 40, but no more than 100, business days before the end of the plan period for its current development plan (the current plan period); or
(b)as soon as practicable after the holder proposes or becomes aware of a significant change to the nature and extent of an authorised activity that is not already dealt with under the current development plan for the lease.
(4)However, if before the end of the current plan period, a decision is made not to approve a proposed later development plan lodged under subsection (3), the holder may, within the eligible balance of the period, lodge another proposed later development plan.
(5)If the holder does not lodge any proposed later development plan before the end of the current plan period or if subsection (4) applies and the holder does not lodge another proposed later development plan within the eligible balance of the current plan period—
(a)the holder must be given a notice requiring the holder to lodge a proposed later development plan for the lease within 40 business days after the giving of the notice; and
(b)the holder must comply with the requirement.
(6)In this section—
eligible balance, for a current plan period during which a decision mentioned in subsection (4) is made, means the balance of the period, other than the appeal period for the decision.
relevant fee, for the lodgement of the proposed plan, means—
(a)if the proposed plan is lodged within the time required under subsection (3)—the fee prescribed under a regulation; or
(b)if the proposed plan is lodged after the time required under subsection (3) and—
(i)if it is lodged under subsection (4)—nil; or
(ii)if it is not lodged under subsection (4)—an amount that is 10 times the prescribed fee.

s 159 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 104 (amd 2004 No. 33 s 21C), 69(2) sch; 2007 No. 46 s 167; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 47 s 615

160Consequence of failure to comply with notice to lodge proposed later development plan

(1)If a petroleum lease holder does not comply with a requirement under section 159(5)(a), the lease is cancelled.
(2)However, the cancellation does not take effect until the holder is given a notice stating that the lease has been cancelled because of the operation of subsection (1).

160A Power to impose or amend condition if changed holder of petroleum lease

(1)This section applies if 1 of the following changes happens—
(a)an entity starts or stops controlling the holder of a petroleum lease under the Corporations Act, section 50AA;
(b)the holder of a petroleum lease starts or stops being a subsidiary of a corporation under the Corporations Act, section 46.
(2)The Minister may consider whether, after the change, the holder of the petroleum lease has the financial and technical resources to comply with the conditions of the petroleum lease.
(3)If the Minister considers the holder of the petroleum lease may not have the financial and technical resources to comply with conditions of the petroleum lease, the Minister may impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the petroleum lease.
(4)If the Minister believes a change mentioned in subsection (1) may have happened, the Minister may require the holder of the petroleum lease to give the Minister information or a document about whether or not the change has happened.
(5)Before deciding to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the petroleum lease under subsection (3), the Minister may require the holder of the petroleum lease to give the Minister information or a document the Minister requires to make the decision.
(6)A requirement under subsection (4) or (5) must—
(a)be made by notice given to the holder; and
(b)state a period of at least 10 business days within which the holder must comply with the requirement.
(7)Before deciding to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the petroleum lease under subsection (3), the Minister must give the holder of the lease a notice stating—
(a)the proposed decision; and
(b)the reasons for the proposed decision; and
(c)that the holder may, within 10 business days after the notice is given, make submissions to the Minister about the proposed decision.
(8)The Minister may extend the period mentioned in subsection (6)(b) or (7)(c) by notice given to the holder of the petroleum lease.
(9)In deciding whether to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the petroleum lease under subsection (3), the Minister—
(a)must consider information or a document, if any, given under subsection (6)(b) or (7)(c); and
(b)may consider any other matter the Minister considers relevant.
(10)If the Minister decides to impose another condition on, or amend a condition of, the petroleum lease under subsection (3), the Minister must, as soon as practicable after making the decision, give the holder a notice stating the decision and the reasons for the decision.

s 160A ins 2020 No. 14 s 186

Division 6 Renewals

161Conditions for renewal application

(1)A petroleum lease holder may apply to renew the lease only if none of the following is outstanding—
(a)annual rent for the lease;
(b)a civil penalty under section 156 for nonpayment of annual rent;
(c)rates and charges, including interest on overdue rates and charges, payable to the local government in whose area the lease is situated;
(d)interest payable under section 588 on annual rent or a civil penalty;
(e)a royalty-related amount payable by the holder;
(f)security for the lease, as required under section 488.
(2)Also, the application can not be made—
(a)more than 80 business days before the end of the term of the lease; or
(b)after the lease has ended.
(3)However, the Minister may allow the application to be made up to 2 years before the end of the term of the lease if the Minister is of the opinion that—
(a)a storage agreement is in force for the lease or the holder has negotiated, or is negotiating, a proposed storage agreement for the lease; and
(b)the agreement or proposed agreement will be in force after the proposed renewed lease takes effect.

s 161 amd 2012 No. 25 s 155; 2014 No. 35 s 45; 2024 No. 12 s 103

162Requirements for making renewal application

(1)The application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)state whether or not the development plan for the petroleum lease has been complied with; and
(c)if the development plan has not been complied with—state details of, and the reasons for, each noncompliance; and
(d)include a proposed later development plan for the renewed lease; and
(e)state whether or not the applicant has complied with chapter 5, part 7, for reports required to be lodged in relation to the lease; and
(f)be accompanied by—
(i)the application fee prescribed under a regulation; and
(ii)if the application is made less than 40 business days before the end of the term of the lease—an amount that is 10 times the application fee.
(2)The proposed later development plan must comply with the later development plan requirements.

s 162 amd 2004 No. 26 s 105; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 47 s 616

163Continuing effect of lease for renewal application

(1)This section applies if the term of the petroleum lease ends before the application is decided.
(2)Despite the ending of the term, the lease continues in force until the earlier of the following to happen—
(a)the start of any renewed term of the lease;
(b)a refusal of the application takes effect;
(c)the application is withdrawn;
(d)the lease is cancelled under this Act.
(3)If the lease is renewed, subsection (2) is taken never to have applied for the period from the end of the term of the lease being renewed, as stated in that lease.

s 163 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

164Deciding application

(1)The Minister may grant or refuse the renewal.
(2)However—
(a)before deciding to grant the renewal, the Minister must decide whether to approve the applicant’s proposed later development plan for the renewed petroleum lease; and
(b)the renewal can not be granted unless—
(i)the proposed plan has been approved; and
(ii)the Minister considers the applicant satisfies the capability criteria and has substantially complied with the lease being renewed; and
(iii)a relevant environmental authority for the renewed lease has been issued.

Note—

If the application relates to acquired land, see also section 30AC.
(3)Also, the Minister may, as a condition of deciding to grant the application, require the applicant to do all or any of the following within a stated reasonable period—
(a)pay the annual rent for the first year of the renewed lease;
(b)pay rates and charges, including interest on overdue rates and charges, payable to the local government in whose area the lease is situated;
(c)give, under section 488, security for the renewed lease.
(4)If the applicant does not comply with the requirement, the application may be refused.

s 164 amd 2012 No. 20 s 93; 2024 No. 12 s 104

165Provisions and term of renewed lease

(1)Subject to this section, section 123 applies to the renewed petroleum lease as if it were a petroleum lease granted under division 2.
(2)The conditions or other provisions of the renewed lease may be different from the conditions or other provisions of the petroleum lease being renewed.
(3)The area of the renewed lease must not be more than the area of the petroleum lease being renewed immediately before the renewed lease is to take effect.

Note—

See, however, section 30AC(3) in relation to acquired land that was previously in the area of the petroleum lease being renewed.
(4)If the renewal is decided before the end of the term of the petroleum lease being renewed as stated in that lease (the previous term), the term of the renewed lease is taken to start from the end of the previous term.
(5)If the renewed lease is decided after the previous term, the term of the renewed lease starts immediately after the end of the previous term, but—
(a)the conditions of the renewed lease do not start until the lease holder is given notice of them; and
(b)until the notice is given, the conditions of the petroleum lease being renewed apply to the renewed lease as if they were its conditions.
(6)The term of the renewed lease must not be more than—
(a)if it has not been previously renewed—the original term of the lease; or
(b)if it has been previously renewed—its last renewed term.

s 165 amd 2012 No. 20 s 94

166Information notice about refusal

On refusal of the application, the applicant must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse.

167When refusal takes effect

A refusal of the application does not take effect until the end of the appeal period for the decision to refuse.

s 167 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Division 7 Miscellaneous provisions

Subdivision 1 Area of petroleum lease

ch 2 pt 2 div 7 sdiv 1 hdg amd 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch

168Area of petroleum lease

(1)This section provides for the area of a petroleum lease.
(2)The area does not include excluded land for the lease.

Note—

See also section 30AB(3) if land in the petroleum lease’s area is taken under a resumption law.
(3)Unless the Minister otherwise decides, the area must form a single parcel of land.
(4)The area must not include any of the following (unavailable land)—
(a)land in the area of another petroleum tenure, other than land that will, under section 101, cease to be included in the area of an authority to prospect on the grant of the lease;
(b)excluded land for another petroleum tenure;
(c)land in the area of a 1923 Act petroleum tenure;
(d)excluded land for a 1923 Act petroleum tenure;
(e)land that a regulation prescribes as land over which a petroleum lease can not be granted.
(5)To remove any doubt, it is declared that if land within any sub-block that the lease states is included in the area of the lease ceases to be unavailable land, the cessation itself does not cause the land to be within the area of the lease.
(6)For subsection (5), if the lease states that its area includes land within a block without including or excluding any particular sub-block, the reference to the block is a reference to all sub-blocks within the block.
(7)The area may include a part of a sub-block only if the part is all areas within the sub-block that are left after taking away all unavailable land within the sub-block (a residual sub-block).

Note—

See also section 30AB(3) if land in the petroleum lease’s area is taken under a resumption law.

s 168 amd 2012 No. 20 s 95; 2019 No. 17 s 306

169Minister’s power to decide excluded land

(1)The Minister may decide excluded land for a petroleum lease or proposed petroleum lease.
(2)However, the power under subsection (1) may be exercised only when the Minister is deciding whether to—
(a)grant or renew the lease; or
(b)approve any later development plan for the lease.
(3)However, excluded land—
(a)must be within any sub-block that the lease states is included in the area of the lease; and
(b)can not be a whole sub-block.
(4)For subsection (3)(a), if the register—
(a)states that the lease’s area includes land within a block; but
(b)does not include or exclude any particular sub-block within that block;

the reference to the block in the register is a reference to all sub-blocks within the block, other than any sub-block that is completely within the area of another petroleum tenure or a 1923 Act petroleum tenure.

(5)Excluded land may be described in a way the Minister considers appropriate, including, for example, by area or by reference to a stated type of land.
(6)Land ceases to be excluded land for a petroleum lease if, for any reason, the sub-block in which the land is located ceases to be in the area of the lease.

s 169 amd 2004 No. 26 s 106; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2018 No. 24 s 205

170Minister may add excluded land

(1)The Minister may amend a petroleum lease by adding excluded land for the lease to its area only if—
(a)the lease as amended complies with section 168; and
(b)the lease holder consents.
(2)If land mentioned in subsection (1) is added to the area of the lease, the land ceases to be excluded land for the lease.
(3)The Minister may amend the provisions of the lease in a way that reflects the inclusion of the excluded land.
(4)Also, the Minister may give the lease holder a notice—
(a)withdrawing, from a stated day, the approval of the development plan for the lease; and
(b)directing the holder to lodge a proposed later development plan for the lease that—
(i)complies with the later development plan requirements; and
(ii)changes the development plan for the lease to reflect the inclusion of the excluded land.
(5)The amended provisions of the lease or the proposed later development plan must not be—
(a)inconsistent with the mandatory conditions for petroleum leases; or
(b)the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with, any relevant environmental condition for the lease.

s 170 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

Subdivision 1A Amalgamating particular petroleum leases

ch 2 pt 2 div 7 sdiv 1A hdg ins 2019 No. 17 s 307

170A Applying to amalgamate petroleum leases

(1)A person may apply to the Minister to amalgamate 2 or more petroleum leases (each an individual lease) into a single petroleum lease (the amalgamated lease).
(2)An application can be made only if—
(a)all of the holders of the individual leases agree to the proposed amalgamation; and
(b)the holders of the amalgamated lease will be the same as the holders of the individual leases.
(3)Also, a person can not make an application under subsection (1) if—
(a)any of the holders of the individual leases have not complied with a provision of this Act; or
(b)any of the following amounts is outstanding in relation to an individual lease—
(i)annual rent;
(ii)a civil penalty under section 156 for non-payment of annual rent;
(iii)rates and charges, including interest on overdue rates and charges, payable to the local government in whose area the lease is situated;
(iv)interest payable under section 588 on annual rent or a civil penalty;
(v)a royalty-related amount payable by the holder;
(vi)security required under section 488.

s 170A prev s 170A ins 2019 No. 17 s 307

om 2020 No. 14 s 187

pres s 170A (prev s 170B) ins 2019 No. 17 s 307

amd 2020 No. 14 s 188(1)

renum 2020 No. 14 s 188(2)

amd 2024 No. 12 s 105

170BApplying to amalgamate 1923 Act lease

(1)A person may apply to the Minister to amalgamate 2 or more 1923 Act leases (each also an individual lease) into a single petroleum lease (also the amalgamated lease).
(2)An application can be made only if—
(a)the holder of each individual lease has also applied under section 908 for a petroleum lease for all or part of the area of the lease; and
(b)all of the holders of the individual leases agree to the proposed amalgamation; and
(c)the holders of the amalgamated lease will be the same as the holders of the individual leases.
(3)Also, a person can not make an application under subsection (1) if any of the holders of individual leases have not complied with a provision of the 1923 Act.
(4)If the application under section 908 is withdrawn, the application for amalgamation is taken to be withdrawn.
(5)If the application under section 908 is rejected, the application for amalgamation is taken to have lapsed.

s 170B ins 2020 No. 14 s 189

170CRequirements for making application

The application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)include a proposed development plan for the amalgamated lease that, to the extent possible, is the same as the development plans for the individual leases; and
(c)be accompanied by the fee prescribed by regulation.

s 170C ins 2019 No. 17 s 307

170DDeciding application

(1)The Minister may decide to grant or refuse to grant the amalgamated lease.
(2)However—
(a)before deciding to grant the amalgamated lease, the Minister must decide whether to approve the proposed development plan for the amalgamated lease; and
(b)the amalgamated lease can not be granted unless—
(i)the proposed development plan for the amalgamated lease has been approved; and
(ii)the Minister is satisfied each proposed holder of the amalgamated lease—
(A)satisfies the capability criteria; and
(B)continues to satisfy any special criteria that applied for deciding the application for each of the individual leases; and
(C)has substantially complied with the conditions of the individual leases.
(3)The matters that may be considered in granting the amalgamated lease include the development plans for the individual leases, the proposed development plan for the amalgamated lease and the capability criteria.
(4)The Minister may, as a condition of granting the amalgamated lease, require the applicant to give security or additional security for the amalgamated lease, under section 488, within a stated reasonable period.
(5)If the applicant does not comply with a requirement under subsection (4), the application may be refused.

s 170D ins 2019 No. 17 s 307

170EProvisions of amalgamated lease

(1)Subject to this section, section 123 applies for the provisions of an amalgamated lease as if it were a petroleum lease granted under division 2.
(2)However, the production commencement day for the amalgamated lease must not be later than the earliest production commencement day of the individual leases.

s 170E ins 2019 No. 17 s 307

170FSteps after deciding application

(1)If the Minister decides to grant the amalgamated lease, the Minister must give the applicant and any other holder of the amalgamated lease notice of—
(a)the provisions under section 123 of the lease; and
(b)the development plan approved for the lease.
(2)If the Minister decides to refuse to grant the amalgamated lease, the Minister must give the applicant an information notice for the decision.

s 170F ins 2019 No. 17 s 307

Subdivision 2 Dividing petroleum leases

171Applying to divide

(1)The holder of a petroleum lease (the original lease) may apply to divide it into 2 or more petroleum leases (the new leases).
(2)However, the holder may apply for a new lease to be granted to another person only if the other person—
(a)agrees to the proposed grant; and
(b)is an eligible person.
(3)Despite subsections (1) and (2), the holder can not make the application if any of the following is outstanding—
(a)annual rent for the original lease;
(b)a civil penalty under section 156 for nonpayment of annual rent;
(c)rates and charges, including interest on overdue rates and charges, payable to the local government in whose area the lease is situated;
(d)interest payable under section 588 on annual rent or a civil penalty;
(e)a royalty-related amount payable by the holder;
(f)security for the original lease, as required under section 488.

s 171 amd 2012 No. 25 s 156; 2014 No. 35 s 46; 2024 No. 12 s 106

172Requirements for making application

The application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)state whether or not the development plan for the original lease has been complied with; and
(c)if the development plan for the original lease has not been complied with—state details of, and the reasons for, each noncompliance; and
(d)include a proposed later development plan for each proposed new lease; and

Note—

For an additional requirement for the proposed development plans, see section 144.
(e)address the capability criteria for each proposed holder of the new leases; and
(f)state whether or not the holder has complied with chapter 5, part 7, for reports required to be lodged in relation to the original lease; and
(g)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 172 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

173Deciding application

(1)The Minister may make or refuse to make the division.
(2)However—
(a)before deciding to make the division, the Minister must decide whether to approve the proposed later development plans for the new leases; and
(b)the division can not be made unless—
(i)the proposed plans have been approved; and
(ii)the applicant has established 1 of the matters mentioned in section 121(2) for each proposed lease; and
(iii)each proposed holder of the new leases satisfies the capability criteria; and
(iv)the Minister is satisfied the applicant continues to satisfy any special criteria that applied for deciding the application for the original lease; and

Note—

See sections 35(2)(h)(iii) and 43.
(v)the Minister is satisfied the applicant has substantially complied with the original lease.
(3)The matters that may be considered in making the division include the development plan for the original lease, the proposed later development plans and the capability criteria.
(4)The Minister may, as a condition of making the division, require the applicant to, under section 488, give security or additional security for all or any of the new leases within a stated reasonable period.
(5)If the applicant does not comply with the requirement, the division may be refused.

s 173 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 107, 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2019 No. 17 s 308

174Provisions of new leases

(1)Subject to this section, section 123 applies for the provisions of a new lease as if it were a petroleum lease granted under division 2.
(2)However, the term of each new lease must not end later than the end of the term of the original lease.
(3)For any relinquishment condition for the new leases—
(a)the new leases are taken to have originally taken effect when the original lease originally took effect; and
(b)land within any sub-block that the original lease states is included in the area of the original lease is divided rateably between the new leases; and
(c)for working out previous relinquishments that are counted for the relinquishment condition for each new lease, the relinquishments previously counted for the relinquishment condition for the original lease are divided rateably between the new leases.

175Steps after deciding application

(1)After the provisions of the new leases are decided, the applicant and anyone else who will be a holder of any new lease, must be given notice of the relevant provisions and development plans.

Note—

For noncompliance action started, or that could have been taken, against the original lease holder, see section 792.
(2)On refusal to make the division, the applicant must be given notice of the refusal.

s 175 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Subdivision 3 Changing production commencement day

ch 2 pt 2 div 7 sdiv 3 hdg ins 2012 No. 20 s 269

175AA When holder may apply to change production commencement day

The holder of a petroleum lease may apply to change the production commencement day for the lease to a new day only if—
(a)the holder has a relevant arrangement in place to supply petroleum produced from the area of the lease; and
(b)the application is made no later than 1 year, or a shorter period prescribed by regulation, before the day by which petroleum production under the lease is to start.

s 175AA ins 2012 No. 20 s 269

amd 2014 No. 29 s 125

175AB Requirements for making application

(1)An application to change a production commencement day to a new day must—
(a)be made to the Minister in the approved form; and
(b)state—
(i)the proposed new day; and
(ii)the grounds for seeking the change; and
(c)be supported by information, documents or instruments detailing—
(i)the petroleum production required under all relevant arrangements relating to the lease; and
(ii)the reserves, resources and characteristics of natural underground reservoirs of all petroleum authorities required to supply petroleum under the relevant arrangements; and
(d)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.
(2)The holder must also give the Minister information, documents or instruments detailing all relevant arrangements relating to the lease unless the holder—
(a)has already given the Minister the information, documents or instruments in complying with section 121(1)(g); and
(b)lodges a written declaration that there has been no change in the relevant arrangements.
(3)If the holder has already given the Minister the information, documents or instruments in complying with section 121(1)(g) but a relevant arrangement has been changed, the holder must give the Minister the details of the changed arrangement that the Minister reasonably requires to decide whether the lease is an arms-length commercial transaction.

s 175AB ins 2012 No. 20 s 269

amd 2014 No. 29 s 126

175AC Deciding application

(1)After receiving an application to change a production commencement day to a new day, the Minister must decide whether or not to make the change.
(2)The Minister may, if the holder of the lease agrees in writing, change the production commencement day for the lease to another day.
(3)In deciding the application, the Minister must consider—
(a)whether the holder has substantially complied with the lease; and
(b)whether petroleum production under the lease will be optimised in the best interests of the State; and
(c)the public interest.
(4)The Minister may refuse the application if the Minister reasonably believes—
(a)a relevant arrangement relating to the lease is not an arms-length commercial transaction; or
(b)supply under the arrangement is unlikely to be carried out.
(5)If the Minister decides to change the production commencement day to a new day, the Minister must amend the lease to give effect to the change.

Note—

A change in the production commencement day may require a later development plan for the lease to be lodged—see section 159.
(6)The Minister may not decide to change the production commencement day to a day that is earlier than the day the decision is made.
(7)The holder of the petroleum lease is taken not to be in breach of the holder’s obligation under section 154(1) before the first of the following happens—
(a)the Minister decides whether to change the production commencement day to a new day, and the decision is not appealed or, if there is an appeal, the appeal is finalised;
(b)the Minister changes the production commencement day with the agreement of the lessee under subsection (2).

s 175AC ins 2012 No. 20 s 269

amd 2014 No. 29 s 127

175AD Information notice about decision

If the Minister decides not to change the production commencement day for a lease to a new day, the Minister must give the applicant an information notice about the decision.

s 175AD ins 2012 No. 20 s 269

Part 2A Prospective Gas Production Land Reserve

ch 2 pt 2A hdg ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

175AMeaning of Australian market supply condition

An Australian market supply condition, for land, is a condition under which—
(a)gas produced from the land must not be supplied other than to the Australian market; and
(b)any contract or other arrangement for the supply of the gas must include a condition that the gas must not be further supplied other than to the Australian market.

s 175A ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

175BMeaning of Australian market

Australian market, in relation to the supply of gas, means an entity or entities that will—
(a)consume the gas within Australia; or
(b)supply the gas to an entity or entities that will consume the gas within Australia.

s 175B ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

175CSupply of gas from PGPLR land

(1)The holder of a petroleum tenure for PGPLR land—
(a)must not supply gas produced from the land other than to the Australian market; and
(b)must include in any contract or other arrangement for the supply of the gas a condition that the gas must not be further supplied other than to the Australian market.

Maximum penalty—1,000 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.
(2)However, if the application of the Australian market supply condition to the land has been suspended under section 175G(1) for a stated period, subsection (1) does not apply to the holder for the stated period.
(3)An entity to which gas produced from PGPLR land is supplied—
(a)must not further supply the gas other than to the Australian market; and
(b)must include in any contract or other arrangement for the supply of the gas a condition that the gas must not be further supplied other than to the Australian market.

Maximum penalty—1,000 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.
(4)However, if the entity holds an exemption under section 175G(2) for a stated period in relation to the land, subsection (3) does not apply to the entity, for the stated period, in relation to gas produced from the land.
(5)Subsection (3)(a) applies subject to section 175D.

s 175C ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

amd 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

175DUrgent exemption from application of s 175C(3)(a)

(1)Subsection (2) applies if—
(a)an entity is a consumer of gas; and
(b)because of technical or operational problems, the entity is unable to consume gas produced from PGPLR land and supplied to the entity; and
(c)the entity has taken all reasonable steps to supply the gas to the Australian market but the entity considers it is not commercially viable to do so; and
(d)the entity supplies the gas other than to the Australian market; and
(e)the entity gives notice of the supply of the gas, the reason for the supply and the date the technical or operational problem arose, to the chief executive within 5 days after starting to supply the gas.

Example of a technical or operational problem for paragraph (b)—

the failure of the entity’s plant or machinery
(2)Section 175C(3)(a) does not apply to the entity for 30 days after the technical or operational problem arises.

s 175D ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

175ESuspension of application of, or exemption from, Australian market supply condition

(1)The holder of a petroleum tenure for PGPLR land may apply to the Minister for a suspension, for a stated period, of the application of the Australian market supply condition to the land if—
(a)market analysis indicates that, during the stated period, sufficient gas may be produced from existing and proposed petroleum tenures in the State to supply both the Australian market and export demand; or
(b)the holder has taken all reasonable steps to supply the gas produced from the PGPLR land to the Australian market but it is not commercially viable to do so.
(2)An entity to which gas produced from PGPLR land is supplied may apply to the chief executive for an exemption, for a stated period, from section 175C(3) in relation to the land if—
(a)market analysis indicates that, during the stated period, sufficient gas may be produced from existing and proposed petroleum tenures in the State to supply both the Australian market and export demand; or
(b)the entity has taken all reasonable steps to supply the gas produced from the PGPLR land to the Australian market but it is not commercially viable to do so.

s 175E ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

175FAssessing commercial viability

In assessing commercial viability of the supply of gas produced from PGPLR land for section 175E, the Minister or the chief executive may have regard to the following—
(a)whether the rate of return on the investment of money required to produce gas from the land and supply it to the Australian market at least meets the rate of return considered acceptable by a reasonable petroleum producer or a lender to a petroleum producer;
(b)the market conditions at the time the application is made under section 175E, including, for example, access to markets, the expected duration of a contract or other arrangement for the supply of the gas, the price likely to be paid for the gas and the certainty and timing of market opportunities;
(c)whether, if commercial viability is dependent on the applicant reaching agreement with another entity or using the other entity’s facilities or technology, the applicant can complete the agreement or use the facilities or technology on terms the applicant considers provide a reasonable rate of return for the applicant.

s 175F ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

amd 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1

175GDeciding application

(1)The Minister may grant an application mentioned in section 175E(1) only if the Minister is satisfied about a matter mentioned in section 175E(1)(a) or (b).
(2)The chief executive may grant an application mentioned in section 175E(2) only if the chief executive is satisfied about a matter mentioned in section 175E(2)(a) or (b).
(3)If the Minister or chief executive refuses to grant an application, the applicant must be given an information notice for the decision.

s 175G ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

175HRequirement to keep and give records

(1)This section applies to the following (each a selling entity)—
(a)the holder of a petroleum lease for PGPLR land who supplies gas produced from the land;
(b)another entity that supplies gas produced from PGPLR land.
(2)A selling entity must, for the period and in the way prescribed under a regulation, keep the records prescribed under a regulation for each supply by the selling entity of gas produced from PGPLR land.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.
(3)If the chief executive gives a selling entity a notice asking for a copy of a record kept under subsection (2), the selling entity must give a copy of the record to the chief executive within the reasonable period stated in the notice.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.

s 175H ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

amd 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

175IOrder to enforce compliance with s 175C

(1)This section applies if, on the application of the chief executive, the District Court is satisfied—
(a)the holder of a petroleum tenure for PGPLR land is supplying gas produced from the land other than to the Australian market, contrary to section 175C(1)(a); or
(b)an entity to which gas produced from PGPLR land was supplied is further supplying the gas other than to the Australian market, contrary to section 175C(3)(a).
(2)The court may make either or both of the following orders—
(a)an order granting an injunction, on terms the court considers appropriate, restraining the holder or other entity from supplying the gas other than to the Australian market;
(b)another order the court considers appropriate.
(3)The court may decide not to make an order under this section in relation to the holder if the court considers that section 790(1)(b) or (c) provides a more appropriate way of dealing with the issue.

s 175I ins 2011 No. 16 s 16

Part 3 Data acquisition authorities

Division 1 Obtaining data acquisition authority

176Who may apply for data acquisition authority

(1)A petroleum tenure holder may apply for a data acquisition authority to allow the applicant to carry out the following activities (data acquisition activities)—
(a)geophysical surveys on land (the data acquisition land) contiguous to land in the area of the tenure to enable the applicant to acquire data relevant to authorised activities under the tenure;
(b)the entering of the data acquisition land to carry out the geophysical surveys.
(2)However, the application can not be made or granted for land in the area of another petroleum tenure.

177Requirements for making application

The application must be—
(a)in the approved form; and
(b)accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 177 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

178Deciding application for data acquisition authority

(1)The Minister may grant or refuse the data acquisition authority.
(2)However, the data acquisition authority can not be granted unless a relevant environmental authority for the data acquisition authority has been issued.

Note—

If the application relates to acquired land, see also section 30AC.
(3)The authority must state its term and the area subject to the authority.
(4)The term must end no later than 2 years after the authority takes effect.
(5)The authority may also state—
(a)conditions or other provisions of the authority, other than conditions or provisions that are—
(i)inconsistent with section 180, 181 or 184A or any other mandatory condition for data acquisition authorities; or

Note—

Chapter 5 also imposes mandatory conditions on data acquisition authorities. In particular, see chapter 5, part 8.
(ii)inconsistent with a condition of the petroleum tenure to which the authority relates; or
(iii)the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with, any relevant environmental condition for the authority; and
(b)the day it takes effect.
(6)However, the provisions of the authority may exclude or restrict the carrying out of data acquisition activities.
(7)The Minister may, as a condition of deciding to grant the authority, require the applicant to do all or any of the following within a stated reasonable period—
(a)pay the annual rent for the authority;
(b)give, under section 488, security for the authority.
(8)If the applicant does not comply with the requirement, the application may be refused.

s 178 amd 2004 No. 26 s 108; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 96; 2014 No. 47 s 617

179Notice of refusal

On refusal of the application, the applicant must be given notice of the decision to refuse.

Note—

See also the Judicial Review Act 1991, section 32 (Request for statement of reasons).

s 179 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Division 2 Provisions for data acquisition authorities

Note—

See also chapter 5 (Common petroleum authority provisions).

ch 2 pt 3 div 2 hdg amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

ch 2 pt 3 div 2 note ins 2011 No. 2 s 122 sch

180Key authorised activities

(1)A data acquisition authority authorises its holder to carry out data acquisition activities in the area of the authority.
(2)The authorised activities may be carried out despite the rights of an owner or occupier of land on which they are exercised.
(3)However, the carrying out of the data acquisition activities is subject to—
(a)section 6; and
(b)chapter 3, part 4, division 2; and
(c)chapter 3A, part 5; and
(d)chapter 5; and
(e)the mandatory and other conditions of the authority; and
(f)any exclusion or restriction provided for in the authority on the carrying out of the activities.

Note—

Also, the carrying out of particular activities on particular land in a data acquisition authority’s area may not be authorised following the taking of the land under a resumption law. See section 30AB.

s 180 amd 2009 No. 3 s 549; 2012 No. 20 s 97

181Additional condition of relevant petroleum tenure

If a condition is imposed on a data acquisition authority (the authority condition), it is a condition of the petroleum tenure to which the authority relates that the tenure holder must comply with the authority condition.

Note—

Chapter 5 also imposes mandatory conditions on data acquisition authorities. In particular, see chapter 2, part 4, chapter 5, part 8 and the Common Provisions Act, chapter 3, part 2.

s 181 amd 2014 No. 47 s 553

182Authority holder is the relevant petroleum tenure holder from time to time

The holder of a data acquisition authority is taken to be the person who, from time to time, holds the petroleum tenure to which the authority relates.

183Authority ends if relevant petroleum tenure ends

A data acquisition authority ends if the petroleum tenure to which it relates ends.

184Relationship with subsequent petroleum tenure

(1)This section applies if a petroleum tenure is granted over land in the area of a data acquisition authority.
(2)The grant does not limit the authority or its term.
(3)However, an authorised activity for the authority may be carried out on the land only if—
(a)carrying out the activity does not adversely affect the carrying out of an authorised activity for the tenure; or
(b)the agreement conditions have been complied with.
(4)In this section—
agreement conditions means that—
(a)the tenure holder has agreed in writing to the carrying out of the activity; and
(b)a copy of the agreement has been lodged; and
(c)the agreement is still in force.

s 184 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

184AAnnual rent

(1)A data acquisition authority holder must pay the State the rent, as prescribed under a regulation.

Note—

See also section 588 (Interest on amounts owing to the State other than for petroleum royalty).
(2)The rent must be paid in the way, and on or before the day, prescribed under a regulation.

s 184A ins 2004 No. 26 s 109

amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Part 4 Water rights for petroleum tenures

185Underground water rights—general

(1)The holder of a petroleum tenure may take or interfere with underground water in the area of the tenure if the taking or interference happens during the course of, or results from, the carrying out of another authorised activity for the tenure.

Examples—

underground water necessarily or unavoidably taken during the drilling of a petroleum well or water observation bore
underground water necessarily or unavoidably taken during testing for petroleum production or petroleum production authorised under section 32 or 109
(2)The rights under subsection (1)—
(a)are the underground water rights for the petroleum tenure; and
(b)are subject to the tenure holder complying with the holder’s underground water obligations.
(3)There is no limit to the volume of water that may be taken under the underground water rights.
(4)Underground water taken or interfered with, under subsection (1), from a petroleum well is associated water.
(5)The tenure holder may use associated water for any purpose and within or outside the area of the tenure.
(6)In this section—
another authorised activity, for the petroleum tenure, means an authorised activity for the tenure under part 1, division 1 or part 2, division 1.

s 185 amd 2010 No. 53 s 81; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2013 No. 23 s 169; 2014 No. 47 s 618; 2014 No. 64 s 14; 2018 No. 24 s 206

186Underground water rights—limited additional rights

(1)This section applies to the holder of a petroleum tenure until—
(a)if the area of the tenure is in the area declared by gazette notice under the Water Act on 18 March 2011 to be a cumulative management area and referred to as the Surat Cumulative Management Area—the day 5 years after the commencement of this section; or
(b)if paragraph (a) does not apply—the day 2 years after the commencement of this section; or
(c)a water licence or water permit is granted to take or interfere with underground water under the Water Act, section 1277.
(2)The holder of a petroleum tenure may take or interfere with underground water in the area of the tenure for use in the carrying out of another authorised activity for the tenure.

Note—

After the relevant period provided for under subsection (1) ends, the holder must be authorised under the Water Act to take or interfere with the water.
(3)The rights under subsection (2) are—
(a)also underground water rights for the petroleum tenure; and
(b)subject to the tenure holder complying with the holder’s underground water obligations.
(4)The holder must, in accordance with the requirements prescribed by regulation, measure and report the volume of water taken under subsection (2) to the chief executive.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(5)In this section—
another authorised activity, for the petroleum tenure, means an authorised activity for the tenure under part 1, division 1 or part 2, division 1.
cumulative management area see the Water Act, schedule 4.

s 186 prev s 186 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

om 2013 No. 23 s 170

pres s 186 ins 2014 No. 64 s 15

187Water monitoring activities

(1)A petroleum tenure holder may carry out any of the following activities in the area of the holder’s tenure to comply with its underground water obligations for the tenure—
(a)gathering information about, or undertaking an assessment of, a water bore;
(b)monitoring effects of the exercise of underground water rights for the tenure;
(c)constructing or plugging and abandoning a water observation bore;
(d)gathering information for preparing an underground water impact report or final report under the Water Act, chapter 3;
(e)carrying out any other activity necessary to comply with an underground water obligation of the holder.
(2)An activity mentioned in subsection (1) is a water monitoring activity.
(3)In this section—
water bore see the Water Act, schedule 4.

s 187 amd 2004 No. 26 s 110; 2010 No. 53 s 82

188Authorisation for Water Act

For the Water Act, the taking or interference with or the use of underground water, under the underground water rights, is taken to be authorised.

Note—

See the Water Act, section 808 (Unauthorised taking, supplying or interfering with water).

s 188 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2013 No. 23 s 171; 2014 No. 64 s 16

189Water Act not otherwise affected

(1)To remove any doubt, it is declared that a petroleum tenure holder can not take or interfere with or use water unless the taking or interference or use is authorised under this part or the Water Act.

Note—

See the Water Act, chapter 2, part 2, division 1A and section 808.
(2)In this section—
water see the Water Act, schedule 4.

s 189 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2013 No. 23 s 352 sch 1 pt 2; 2014 No. 64 s 17

Part 5 Water monitoring authorities

Division 1 Obtaining water monitoring authority

190Who may apply for water monitoring authority

(1)A petroleum tenure holder may apply for a water monitoring authority for stated land outside the area of the tenure to allow the holder to comply with the holder’s underground water obligations for the tenure.
(2)The application may be made or granted—
(a)over land in the area of another petroleum authority; and
(b)for 1 or more petroleum tenures held by the same applicant.

s 190 amd 2004 No. 26 s 111; 2010 No. 53 s 83

191Requirements for making application

The application must be—
(a)in the approved form; and
(b)accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 191 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

192Deciding application for water monitoring authority

(1)The Minister may grant or refuse the water monitoring authority.
(2)However, the water monitoring authority must not be granted unless a relevant environmental authority for the water monitoring authority has been issued.

Note—

If the application relates to acquired land, see also section 30AC.
(3)The Minister may, before deciding the application, seek advice about the application from the chief executive of the department administering the Water Act.
(4)The authority must state its area and each petroleum tenure to which it relates.
(5)The authority may also state—
(a)conditions or other provisions of the authority, other than conditions or provisions that are—
(i)inconsistent with division 2 or section 202 or 202A or any other mandatory condition for water monitoring authorities; or

Note—

Chapter 5 also imposes mandatory conditions on water monitoring authorities. In particular, see chapter 5, part 8.
(ii)inconsistent with a condition of any petroleum tenure to which the authority relates; or
(iii)the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with, any relevant environmental condition for the authority; and
(b)the day it takes effect.
(6)However, the provisions of the authority may exclude or restrict the carrying out of water monitoring activities, if the exclusion or restriction does not prevent the holder from complying with the holder’s underground water obligations.
(7)The Minister may, as a condition of deciding to grant the authority, require the applicant to do all or any of the following within a stated reasonable period—
(a)pay the annual rent for the first year of the authority;
(b)give, under section 488, security for the authority.
(8)If the applicant does not comply with the requirement, the application may be refused.

s 192 amd 2004 No. 26 s 112; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2010 No. 53 s 84; 2012 No. 20 s 98

Division 2 Key authorised activities

193Operation of div 2

(1)This division provides for the key authorised activities for a water monitoring authority.

Notes—

1For other authorised activities, see chapter 2, part 4, chapter 5, part 8 and the Common Provisions Act, chapter 3, part 2.
2The carrying out of particular activities on particular land in a water monitoring authority’s area may not be authorised following the taking of the land under a resumption law. See section 30AB.
(2)The authorised activities may be carried out despite the rights of an owner or occupier of land on which they are exercised.
(3)However, the carrying out of the authorised activities is subject to—
(a)sections 6, 197 and 198; and
(b)chapter 3, part 4, division 2; and
(c)chapter 3A, part 5; and
(d)chapter 5; and
(e)the mandatory and other conditions of the authority; and
(f)any exclusion or restriction provided for in the authority on the carrying out of the activities.

s 193 amd 2009 No. 3 s 550; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 99; 2014 No. 47 s 554

194Water monitoring activities

The authority holder may carry out any water monitoring activity in the area of the authority.

195Limited right to take or interfere with underground water

The authority holder may take or interfere with underground water only to the extent that the taking or interference is the unavoidable result of carrying out a water monitoring activity in the area of the authority.

Example—

the taking of or interference with underground water during the drilling or maintenance of a water observation bore in the area

196Authorisation for Water Act

For the Water Act, the taking of or interference with underground water, under section 195, is taken to be authorised.

Note—

See the Water Act, section 808 (Unauthorised taking, supplying or interfering with water).

s 196 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

197Water Act not otherwise affected

To remove any doubt, it is declared that the water monitoring authority holder can not take or interfere with water as defined under the Water Act unless the taking or interference is authorised under this division or the Water Act.

Note—

See the Water Act, chapter 2, part 2, division 1A and section 808.

s 197 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2013 No. 23 s 352 sch 1 pt 2

198Restriction on carrying out authorised activities

In carrying out an authorised activity for the water monitoring authority, the holder must not interfere with the carrying out of an authorised activity for a petroleum tenure, or of another water monitoring authority, the area of which includes the area of the authority.

Maximum penalty—1,000 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.

s 198 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

199No right to petroleum discovered

To remove any doubt, it is declared that the discovery of petroleum while carrying out an authorised activity for the authority does not, of itself, give the authority holder a right to the petroleum.

Division 3 Miscellaneous provisions

200Term of authority

Subject to chapter 10, part 2, division 4, a water monitoring authority continues in force until there is no longer any petroleum tenure to which the authority relates.

201Provision for who is the authority holder

(1)If there is only 1 petroleum tenure to which a water monitoring authority relates, the authority holder is taken to be the person who, from time to time, holds the petroleum tenure to which the authority relates.
(2)Subsections (3) and (4) apply if there is more than 1 petroleum tenure to which a water monitoring authority relates.
(3)If, as a result of dealings with the tenures, all of the tenures are transferred to the same person, the transferee is taken to be the holder of the authority.
(4)If, as a result of dealings with the tenures, 1 or more but not all of the tenures are transferred to the same person, the person from whom the tenures were transferred continues to be the holder of the water monitoring authority.

s 201 sub 2004 No. 26 s 113

amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2014 No. 47 s 540

202Additional condition of relevant petroleum tenure

If a condition is imposed on a water monitoring authority (the authority condition), it is a condition of each petroleum tenure to which the authority relates that the tenure holder must comply with the authority condition.

202AAnnual rent

(1)A water monitoring authority holder must pay the State the annual rent, as prescribed under a regulation.
(2)The annual rent must be paid in the way, and on or before the day, prescribed under a regulation.

s 202A ins 2004 No. 26 s 114

amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

203Amending water monitoring authority by application

(1)The holder of a water monitoring authority may apply for the amendment of it—
(a)to increase or decrease its area; or
(b)to add or omit, or reflect an amendment of, a petroleum tenure that relates to the authority.
(2)The holder can not apply for the amendment of the authority in any other way.
(3)The application must be—
(a)in the approved form; and
(b)accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.
(4)The Minister may grant or refuse the amendment.
(5)However, the Minister may, before deciding the application, seek advice about the application from the chief executive of the department administering the Water Act.
(6)The amendment may be granted (a conditional grant) subject to the applicant’s written agreement to the Minister amending the authority in a stated way that the Minister considers appropriate.
(7)On refusal of the application or the making of a decision to make a conditional grant, the applicant must be given an information notice about the decision to refuse or to make the conditional grant.

s 203 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2010 No. 53 s 85; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

Part 6 Third party storage access to natural underground reservoirs

Division 1 Purpose of part

204Purpose of pt 6

The purpose of this part is for the State to encourage appropriate use of natural underground reservoirs for storage.

Division 2 Storage agreements and related provisions

Subdivision 1 Storage agreements

205Meaning of storage agreement and existing user

(1)A petroleum lease holder may agree (a storage agreement) with someone else (an existing user) to use a natural underground reservoir in the area of the lease to store petroleum or a prescribed storage gas.

Note—

See also section 220 (Preferred tenderer may make storage agreements).
(2)However, the lease holder can not enter into a storage agreement for any of the reservoir’s storage capacity already agreed to be provided under another storage agreement.
(3)The existing user may agree with someone else to store petroleum or a prescribed storage gas in the reservoir to the extent of its storage capacity agreed to be used under the existing user’s storage agreement with the lease holder.
(4)However, the existing user may make the agreement only if it complies with the storage agreement between the lease holder and the existing user.
(5)An agreement under subsection (3) is also a storage agreement.
(6)A person for whom petroleum or a prescribed storage gas is, or is entitled to be, stored under a storage agreement under subsection (3) is also an existing user of the reservoir.

s 205 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

206Development plan overrides storage agreement

If a provision of a storage agreement conflicts with the development plan for the relevant petroleum lease, the development plan prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

207Existing user’s obligation to give information

Each existing user of a natural underground reservoir in the area of a petroleum lease must give the lease holder the information the holder reasonably requires for the safe and reliable use of the reservoir.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.

s 207 amd 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

Subdivision 2 Negotiation obligations of petroleum lease holders and existing users

208Application of sdiv 2

(1)This subdivision applies to a petroleum lease holder or an existing user who has available storage capacity for a natural underground reservoir.
(2)A petroleum lease holder has available storage capacity for a natural underground reservoir if the reservoir is in the area of the lease and it has, or is likely to have, storage capacity that—
(a)the lease holder has not already agreed to provide under a storage agreement that is in force (the contracted capacity); and
(b)does not interfere with the carrying out of authorised activities for the lease; and
(c)is either—
(i)spare; or
(ii)would, if additions of plant were made, or works carried out to increase the reservoir’s storage capacity, be spare; and

Note—

Storage capacity mentioned in subparagraph (ii) is commonly called developable capacity.
(d)is technically and practicably feasible, safe and reliable to use.
(3)However, the contracted capacity, or a part of the contracted capacity, becomes available storage capacity again if—
(a)the existing user of the reservoir gives the lease holder a notice stating the user no longer requires that capacity; and
(b)the contracted capacity would otherwise be available storage capacity under subsection (2).
(4)A notice under subsection (3)(a) may be given for all or a stated part of the contracted capacity.
(5)An existing user of a natural underground reservoir has available storage capacity if the reservoir has, or is likely to have, storage capacity agreed to be provided to the existing user under a storage agreement that the existing user is not using and does not expect to use.

s 208 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

209Obligation to negotiate with proposed users

(1)A person (a proposed user) may give the lease holder or existing user a notice requiring the holder or existing user to, within a stated reasonable time, start negotiations to attempt to reach a storage agreement for available storage capacity for the reservoir.
(2)Subject to section 210, the holder or existing user must negotiate in good faith with the proposed user to attempt to reach a fair and reasonable storage agreement with the proposed user.

Maximum penalty for subsection (2)—500 penalty units.

210Obligation about priority for proposed users

(1)If—
(a)a petroleum lease holder or existing user has started negotiations mentioned in section 209(2) (the first negotiations) with a proposed user; and
(b)after the start of the first negotiations, the lease holder or existing user starts negotiations mentioned in section 209(2) (the second negotiations) with another proposed user; and
(c)the first negotiations have not ended;

the lease holder or existing user must, as far as practicable, ensure the first negotiations are not unreasonably affected by the second negotiations.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(2)Despite subsection (1), the existing user has priority to negotiate for the storage capacity of the reservoir that will, when the storage agreement by the lease holder (the existing agreement) ends, be available storage capacity for the lease holder.
(3)However, the priority under subsection (2)—
(a)applies only to the extent the storage capacity sought is no more than the existing user’s entitlement under the existing agreement in the last year before it is to end according to its provisions; and
(b)ceases 2 years before the existing agreement ends.

211Obligation to give information

(1)A proposed user may ask the lease holder or existing user for all information that—
(a)the lease holder or existing user has about the lease holder’s or existing user’s available storage capacity for the reservoir; and
(b)is reasonably necessary to allow the proposed user to negotiate a fair and reasonable storage agreement with the lease holder or existing user.

Examples of possible information about available storage capacity—

the amount of the storage capacity and details of the nature and quality of gas already stored in the reservoir
(2)The lease holder or existing user must—
(a)give the information within a reasonable period after receiving the request; and
(b)if the information has been sought by, or given to another proposed user—ensure it is given on a non-discriminatory basis.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(3)For subsection (2)(b), information is given on a non-discriminatory basis if it is—
(a)the same, or substantially the same, information as that given to other proposed users; or
(b)not so different from information given to other proposed users as to disadvantage the proposed user.
(4)For subsection (3)(a), if the reservoir’s available storage capacity has changed since someone else was given the information, the information given to the proposed user is taken to be substantially the same if, other than for differences that reflect the change, it is the same or substantially the same.

Division 3 Provisions for stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas after petroleum lease ends

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

212Application of div 3

(1)This division applies if—
(a)a petroleum lease (the old lease) ends; and
(b)a natural underground reservoir in the area of the old lease is, under a storage agreement, being used to store petroleum or a prescribed storage gas.
(2)For subsection (1)(a), if an application has been made to renew the old lease and the application is refused, the old lease does not end until the refusal takes effect.
(3)Subsection (1) applies even if the storage agreement has, under its own terms, ceased to have effect.

s 212 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Subdivision 2 Claiming stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas

213Notice to claim for stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas

(1)The Minister must by gazette notice, invite anyone who claims ownership of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas to make that claim by giving a notice that complies with subsection (2) (a notice of claim).
(2)A notice of claim must—
(a)be lodged within 30 business days after the gazettal; and
(b)state details, and include evidence of, each of the following—
(i)any relevant storage agreement;
(ii)how the claimant became the owner of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas;
(iii)how much of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas is claimed;
(iv)steps taken by the claimant to recover the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas during the term of the old lease; and
(c)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.

s 213 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

214Property in stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas if no notice of claim

If no notice of claim is lodged within the 30 business days, the stored petroleum and prescribed storage gas is taken to have become the property of the State immediately after the old lease ended.

Note—

For property in other petroleum in the reservoir, see section 26.

s 214 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Subdivision 3 Deciding claims

215Deciding claims

(1)This section applies if within the 30 business days, a notice of claim is lodged.
(2)The Minister must decide whether, immediately before the old lease ended, the claimant owned any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas.
(3)The Minister may decide that the claimant does not own any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas if the Minister considers the claimant did not take reasonable steps to recover it during the term of the old lease.
(4)Subsection (3) applies even if the Minister would, other than for the subsection, have decided that the claimant owned the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas immediately before the old lease ended.
(5)If it is decided that the claimant owns any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas, the claimant is taken to have been its owner from when the old lease ended.
(6)On deciding a claimant does not own any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas claimed, the claimant must be given an information notice about the decision.

s 215 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch

216State property in stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas to extent claims are not upheld

(1)If, under section 215, it is decided that no claimant owned any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas, the gas is taken to have become the property of the State immediately after the old lease ended.
(2)If, under section 215, it is decided that no claimant owned part of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas, that part is taken to have become the property of the State immediately after the old lease ended.

Subdivision 4 Dealing with upheld claims

217Application of sdiv 4

This subdivision applies if, under section 215, it is decided any claimant owns any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas.

218Call for tenders required

The Minister must make a call for tenders under section 127 for a proposed petroleum lease the area of which includes the reservoir.

219Requirement to notify change in ownership

(1)If the claimant ceases to own any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas, the claimant must lodge a notice stating—
(a)the name and contact details of any new owner of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas; and
(b)how much of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas the new owner became the owner of.
(2)If the new owner, or anyone who subsequently acquires any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas, ceases to own any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas, the new owner or other person must lodge a notice under subsection (1).
(3)This section does not apply or ceases to apply if—
(a)the petroleum or prescribed storage gas ceases to be stored in the reservoir; or
(b)the claimant or any new owner is granted a petroleum lease the area of which includes the reservoir; or
(c)a storage agreement is made for the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas to which agreement the claimant or any new owner is a party; or
(d)under section 226, the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas becomes the property of the State.

s 219 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

220Preferred tenderer may make storage agreements

(1)A preferred tenderer appointed for the call for tenders may enter into a storage agreement with the following persons, as if the preferred tenderer held the petroleum lease and the lease has taken effect—
(a)if no notices have been lodged under section 219—the claimant;
(b)if any notice has been lodged under section 219—any person who, according to notices lodged under that section, owns the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas.
(2)A person with whom the preferred tenderer may, under subsection (1), enter into a storage agreement is a current owner of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas.

s 220 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2011 No. 2 s 121

221Negotiation notice

(1)This section applies if, as a result of the call for tenders, a petroleum lease (a non-owner lease) is granted to someone other than a current owner of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas.
(2)The Minister must—
(a)give each current owner of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas a notice (a negotiation notice) stating—
(i)who holds the non-owner lease; and
(ii)a period within which all current owners of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas have to reach a storage agreement with the holder; and
(b)give the holder a copy of the negotiation notice.

222Obligation of holder to negotiate with current owners

On the giving of the negotiation notice to the non-owner lease holder, the holder must, in good faith, negotiate with all current owners of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas to attempt to reach a fair and reasonable storage agreement with them.

223Taking of effect of non-owner lease

(1)This section applies despite section 123 and any provision of a non-owner lease.
(2)The non-owner lease does not take effect until the day of effect fixed by the Minister, as notified to its holder.
(3)The Minister must not fix the day of effect unless—
(a)the holder has lodged a notice stating that the holder has entered into a storage agreement with any current owner of stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas; or
(b)all current owners of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas have lodged a notice relinquishing their ownership of any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas (an ownership relinquishment notice); or
(c)the period stated in the negotiation notice has ended and the Minister is satisfied the holder has complied with section 222.

s 223 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

224Cancellation of non-owner lease in particular circumstances

Subject to section 225, the non-owner lease is cancelled and is taken never to have had any effect if the Minister has not fixed the day of effect before the last of the following days—
(a)the day of the first anniversary of the grant of the non-owner lease;
(b)a later day stated in the non-owner lease.

225Annual rent for non-owner lease

(1)This section applies despite section 155 or any provision of the non-owner lease.
(2)Annual rent under section 155 for a non-owner lease is payable from granting of the lease.
(3)If, under section 224, the non-owner lease is cancelled the rent is still payable from the grant until it was cancelled.

226State property in stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas in particular circumstances

Any of the stored petroleum or prescribed gas that a current owner owns becomes the property of the State—
(a)if the current owner gives an ownership relinquishment notice for it; or
(b)on the fifth anniversary of the making of the decision under section 215, unless, before that anniversary—
(i)a petroleum lease the area of which includes the reservoir is granted; and
(ii)the lease takes effect.

227Storage rent payable by current owner

(1)Each person who is a current owner of any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas must pay the State rent for storing the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas that the current owner owns from time to time.
(2)The rent is payable from when the person became the current owner of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas until the earlier of the following events to happen—
(a)the person ceases to be the current owner of any of the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas;
(b)the taking effect of a petroleum lease the area of which includes the reservoir;
(c)under section 226, the stored petroleum or prescribed storage gas becomes the property of the State.
(3)The rent must be paid at the rate and in the way prescribed under a regulation.

s 227 amd 2005 No. 3 s 52

Division 4 Regulatory provisions

228Prohibition on actions preventing access

(1)A person must not engage in conduct for the purpose of preventing someone else from obtaining the use of a natural underground reservoir with available storage capacity in the area of a petroleum lease for storage of petroleum or a prescribed storage gas.

Maximum penalty—1,000 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.
(2)For subsection (1)—
(a)a person engages in conduct for a particular purpose if—
(i)the conduct is or was engaged in for the purpose or for a purpose including the purpose; and
(ii)the purpose is or was not an incidental or unintended consequence of the conduct engaged in; and
(b)a person may be found to have engaged in conduct for a purpose even though, after all the evidence has been considered, the existence of the purpose is ascertainable only by inference from the conduct of the person or of someone else or from other relevant circumstances.
(3)Subsection (2)(b) does not limit the way the purpose of a person may be established for subsection (1).
(4)In this section—
engage, in conduct, means doing, or refusing to do, an act.

Examples of engaging in conduct—

refusing to supply a service
without reasonable grounds, limiting or disrupting a service
making, or giving effect to, a provision of an understanding
requiring the giving of, or giving, a covenant
refusing to do, an act, includes—
(a)refraining, other than inadvertently, from doing the act; or
(b)making it known the act will not be done.

s 228 amd 2004 No. 26 s 115; 2009 No. 16 s 78; 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

229Orders to enforce prohibition on preventing access

(1)This section applies if, on application of a person, the District Court is satisfied someone else (the obstructor) has engaged, is engaging, or proposes to engage, in conduct contrary to section 228.
(2)The court may make all or any of the following orders—
(a)an order granting an injunction, on terms the court considers appropriate—
(i)restraining the obstructor from engaging in the conduct; or
(ii)if the conduct involves failing to do something—requiring the obstructor to do the thing;
(b)an order directing the obstructor to compensate a person for loss or damage suffered by the person because of the conduct;
(c)another order the court considers appropriate.
(3)The court may make any other order, including an injunction, it considers appropriate against another person involved in the conduct.
(4)The grounds on which the court may decide not to make an order under this section include the ground that this part or a relevant storage agreement provides a more appropriate way of dealing with the issue.

Part 7 Commercial viability assessment

230Minister’s power to require commercial viability report

(1)The Minister may, by notice (a report requirement), require a petroleum tenure holder to lodge a written report (a commercial viability report) about all or a stated part of its area if—
(a)the holder is not producing petroleum in the area or stated part; and
(b)the Minister is of the opinion that—
(i)it may be commercially viable to produce or store petroleum in the area or stated part; or
(ii)it may, within the next 15 years, be commercially viable to produce or store petroleum in the area or stated part.

Note—

For the relevance of this period, see part 1, division 6.
(2)The notice must state each of the following—
(a)the Minister’s opinion under subsection (1)(b)(i) or (ii);
(b)the facts and circumstances forming the basis for the opinion;
(c)that the Minister requires the holder to give the Minister a commercial viability report about the area;
(d)a reasonable period for giving the report.

Note—

For other relevant provisions about giving a document to the Minister, see section 851AA.

s 230 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

231Required content of commercial viability report

(1)A commercial viability report must do all of the following—
(a)identify each natural underground reservoir in the area the subject of the relevant report requirement;
(b)give an estimate of the amount of petroleum in each reservoir;
(c)state the standards and procedures used to make the estimate;
(d)state whether, in the opinion of the relevant petroleum tenure holder, it is commercially viable to produce or store petroleum in the area;
(e)if the holder’s opinion is that it is not commercially viable to produce or store petroleum in the area—state whether, in the holder’s opinion, it will, within the next 15 years, be commercially viable to produce or store petroleum in the area;
(f)give data, and an analysis of the data, that supports each opinion.
(2)The supporting data and analysis must include—
(a)technical data relating to the geology of, and natural underground reservoirs in the area; and
(b)market and financial data relevant to the opinions.

232Minister’s power to obtain independent viability assessment

(1)This section applies for a petroleum tenure, whether or not its holder has lodged a commercial viability report about the tenure.
(2)The Minister may obtain an independent assessment of the commercial viability of petroleum production or storage in all or part of the area of the tenure (an independent viability assessment).
(3)However, before seeking the assessment, the Minister must give the holder a notice stating each of the following—
(a)that the Minister proposes to obtain the assessment;
(b)the Minister’s reasons for seeking the assessment;
(c)the likely costs of obtaining the assessment;
(d)whether the State will, under section 233, seek to recover the costs;
(e)that the holder may, within a stated reasonable period, lodge submissions about the proposed assessment.
(4)Any submissions lodged by the holder within the stated period must be considered.
(5)The Minister must after receiving the assessment, give the holder a copy.

s 232 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

233Costs of independent viability assessment

If—
(a)the Minister has incurred costs in obtaining, under section 232, an independent viability assessment about a petroleum tenure; and
(b)the notice under section 232 about the assessment stated that the State will seek to recover the costs; and
(c)the Minister has given the petroleum tenure holder a notice requiring the holder to pay a reasonable amount for the costs;

the holder must pay the State a reasonable amount for the costs.

Part 8 Petroleum activities coordination

234Arrangement to coordinate petroleum activities

(1)The following persons may make an arrangement about a matter mentioned in subsection (2)—
(a)the holder of a 1923 Act lease;
(b)the applicant for, or the holder of, a petroleum lease;
(c)the applicant for, or the holder of, a mining lease.
(2)For subsection (1), the matters are—
(a)the orderly—
(i)production of petroleum from a natural underground reservoir under more than 1 of the leases; or
(ii)carrying out of an authorised activity for any of the leases by any party to the arrangement; and
(b)petroleum production from more than 1 natural underground reservoir under more than 1 of the leases.
(3)The arrangement may—
(a)be for any term; and
(b)if each holder of a relevant mining or petroleum lease agrees, provide for a matter that is inconsistent with, to the extent mentioned in subsection (3A), or not provided for under the leases or their conditions; and
(c)provide for—
(i)the subleasing of, or of an interest in, a relevant petroleum lease to a party to the arrangement or someone else; and
(ii)a party to the arrangement to be granted a pipeline licence to transport petroleum or a prescribed storage gas on land subject to the arrangement.
(3A)For subsection (3)(b), the arrangement may only be inconsistent with 1 or more of the following—
(a)when a petroleum lease holder must start petroleum production under section 154(1);
(b)the development plan or the proposed development plan for a lease mentioned in subsection (1);
(c)the conditions of the lease imposed under—
(i)the 1923 Act, section 44(1)(d); or
(ii)section 123(3); or
(iii)the Mineral Resources Act, section 276(1)(m) or 276(3).
(4)A person other than the holder, or proposed holder, of a coordinated lease may also be a party to a coordination arrangement.
(5)A coordination arrangement has no effect unless it is approved by the Minister under section 236.
(6)In this section—
authorised activity, for—
(a)a mining lease, means an activity that, under the Mineral Resources Act, is an authorised activity for the lease; or
(b)a 1923 Act lease, means an activity that, under the 1923 Act, is an authorised activity for the lease.
coordinated lease means—
(a)2 or more petroleum leases; or
(b)2 or more 1923 Act leases; or
(c)1 or more petroleum leases and 1 or more 1923 Act leases, in any combination; or
(d)1 or more mining lease and 1 or more petroleum leases or 1923 Act leases, in any combination.

Notes—

1

Under the Mineral Resources Act, a coal or oil shale mining lease holder has a limited entitlement to mine and use incidental coal seam gas, which is petroleum. See section 10 of this Act and the Mineral Resources Act, chapter 8, part 8, division 1.

2A coordination arrangement may provide for mining or production from coextensive natural underground reservoirs. See section 114 and the Mineral Resources Act, section 318CQ.

production includes mining, extraction, production or release carried out under a mining lease.

s 234 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 116, 69 (2) sch; 2005 No. 3 ss 53, 105 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 168; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1; 2012 No. 20 ss 281 sch 2, 323 sch 3; 2014 No. 47 s 619

235Applying for ministerial approval of proposed coordination arrangement

(1)The parties to a proposed coordination arrangement may jointly apply for approval of the arrangement.
(2)The application must be—
(a)written; and
(b)accompanied by—
(i)the original or a certified copy of the proposed arrangement; and
(ii)the fee prescribed under a regulation.
(3)If the proposed arrangement is inconsistent with the current development plan for a relevant lease, the application must be accompanied by a proposed later development plan for the lease.
(4)If the proposed plan is for a relevant mining lease, the plan must comply with the later development plan requirements under the Mineral Resources Act.

Note—

See the Mineral Resources Act, section 318ED (Later development plan requirements).
(5)If the proposed plan is for a relevant 1923 Act lease, the plan must comply with the later development plan requirements under the 1923 Act.

s 235 amd 2004 No. 26 s 117; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

236Ministerial approval of proposed coordination arrangement

(1)The Minister may approve the proposed coordination arrangement only if—
(a)the Minister is satisfied—
(i)the arrangement is in the public interest; and
(ii)any inconsistency between the arrangement and a condition of a relevant lease and any sublease provided for under the arrangement is appropriate; and
(iii)if the arrangement applies to land that is in the area of a coal or oil shale mining tenement and in the area of a petroleum lease or 1923 Act lease—the arrangement clearly identifies the safety responsibilities of each party to the arrangement in relation to the land; and
(iv)the spatial relationship between the relevant leases for the arrangement is appropriate.
(b)for an application required to be accompanied by a proposed later development plan for a relevant lease—the proposed plan has been approved; and
(c)the arrangement is consistent with—
(i)the purpose of this Act; and
(ii)if any relevant lease is a mining lease—the purposes of chapter 3 and the objectives of the Mineral Resources Act.

Note—

See sections 3 (Main purpose of Act) and 295 (Main purposes of ch 3) and the Mineral Resources Act, section 2 (Objectives of Act).
(2)Also, if the proposed plan is for a relevant 1923 Act lease, the relevant provisions of that Act apply in relation to the proposed plan.
(3)The Minister may refuse to approve a proposed coordination arrangement that provides for a party to the arrangement to be granted a pipeline licence to transport petroleum or a prescribed storage gas on land subject to the arrangement if the Minister considers that—
(a)having regard to the requirements under chapter 4, the pipeline licence would not be granted if the party were to apply for it; or
(b)not enough information has been given to decide whether the licence should be granted; or
(c)the spatial relationship between the leases is not appropriate for a coordination arrangement.
(4)If a relevant lease has not been granted, the approval does not take effect until the lease takes effect.

s 236 amd 2005 No. 3 s 54; 2008 No. 56 s 94; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

237Approval does not confer right to renew

To remove any doubt, it is declared that if the term of a coordination arrangement is longer than the current term of any relevant lease, the approval of the arrangement does not impose an obligation or right to renew the lease.

238Subleasing of 1923 Act lease provided for under coordination arrangement

On the approval of a coordination arrangement that provides for the subleasing of a 1923 Act lease, the sublease is taken to be a prescribed dealing approved by the Minister under the Common Provisions Act.

s 238 amd 2008 No. 56 s 92 sch; 2014 No. 47 s 541; 2020 No. 14 s 218 sch 1

239Coordination arrangement overrides relevant leases

(1)This section applies if there is a conflict between a coordination arrangement and a condition of a relevant lease.
(2)The arrangement prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.
(3)If a relevant lease holder has complied with the arrangement, the holder is taken to have complied with the condition to the extent that it is inconsistent with the arrangement.
(4)This section applies despite another provision of this Act, the 1923 Act or the Mineral Resources Act.

240Grant of pipeline licence

(1)This section applies if a coordination arrangement provides for a party to the arrangement to be granted a pipeline licence to transport petroleum or a prescribed storage gas on land subject to the arrangement.
(2)The Minister may, if the party applies under chapter 4, part 2, grant the pipeline licence.
(3)Section 412 applies as if the application were a pipeline licence application.
(4)However, the provisions of the licence must be consistent with the arrangement.

s 240 amd 2004 No. 26 s 118

241Amendment or cancellation by parties to arrangement

(1)A coordination arrangement may be amended or cancelled by the parties to the arrangement only with the Minister’s approval.
(2)A purported amendment or cancellation of a coordination arrangement by the parties to it has no effect unless it complies with subsection (1).

242Minister’s power to cancel arrangement

(1)The Minister may, by complying with subsections (2) and (3), cancel a coordination arrangement.
(2)If the Minister proposes to cancel the arrangement, the Minister must give each holder of a relevant lease a notice stating—
(a)that the Minister proposes to cancel the arrangement; and
(b)reasons for the proposed cancellation; and
(c)that the holder may lodge submissions within the stated period about the proposed cancellation or the likely impact of the cancellation on the relevant leases.
(3)Before cancelling the arrangement, the following must be considered—
(a)any submissions lodged by the holder within the stated period;
(b)the likely impact of the cancellation on the relevant leases;
(c)the public interest.
(4)If it is decided to cancel the arrangement, each of the holders must be given an information notice about the decision.
(5)The cancellation takes effect on the end of the appeal period for the decision to cancel, or if a later day of effect is stated in the information notice, on that day.
(6)When the decision takes effect, the arrangement and the Minister’s approval of it cease to have effect.

s 242 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

243Effect of cancellation

(1)The cancellation of a former coordination arrangement does not affect any relevant lease.
(2)Any sublease of a petroleum lease or a 1923 Act lease provided for under the arrangement is cancelled.

s 243 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

Part 9 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Division 1 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 1 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

244[Repealed]

s 244 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

245[Repealed]

s 245 amd 2009 No. 36 s 872 sch 2

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

246[Repealed]

s 246 amd 2005 No. 3 s 55; 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

247[Repealed]

s 247 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

248[Repealed]

s 248 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

249[Repealed]

s 249 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Division 2 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 2 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

250[Repealed]

s 250 amd 2004 No. 26 s 119; 2005 No. 3 s 56

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

251[Repealed]

s 251 amd 2005 No. 3 s 57

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Division 3 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 3 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Subdivision 1 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 3 sdiv 1 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

252[Repealed]

s 252 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

253[Repealed]

s 253 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

254[Repealed]

s 254 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

255[Repealed]

s 255 amd 2005 No. 3 s 58

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Subdivision 2 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 3 sdiv 2 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

256[Repealed]

s 256 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 169; 2008 No. 33 s 120

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

257[Repealed]

s 257 amd 2005 No. 3 s 59

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

258[Repealed]

s 258 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Subdivision 3 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 3 sdiv 3 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

259[Repealed]

s 259 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

260[Repealed]

s 260 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Division 4 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 4 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

261[Repealed]

s 261 amd 2005 No. 3 s 60

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

262[Repealed]

s 262 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

263[Repealed]

s 263 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

264[Repealed]

s 264 amd 2005 No. 3 s 61

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Division 5 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 5 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

265[Repealed]

s 265 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

266[Repealed]

s 266 amd 2004 No. 26 s 120; 2007 No. 46 s 170

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

267[Repealed]

s 267 amd 2007 No. 46 s 171

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

268[Repealed]

s 268 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

269[Repealed]

s 269 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

270[Repealed]

s 270 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

271[Repealed]

s 271 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Division 6 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 6 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Subdivision 1 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 6 sdiv 1 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

272[Repealed]

s 272 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

amd 2010 No. 31 s 544 sch 2 (amdt could not be given effect)

Subdivision 2 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 6 sdiv 2 hdg amd 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

273[Repealed]

s 273 amd 2005 No. 3 s 62

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

274[Repealed]

s 274 amd 2005 No. 3 s 63; 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

275[Repealed]

s 275 amd 2005 No. 3 s 64; 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

276[Repealed]

s 276 amd 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

amd 2010 No. 31 s 544 sch 2 (amdt could not be given effect)

Subdivision 3 [Repealed]

ch 2 pt 9 div 6 sdiv 3 hdg om 2010 No. 53 s 86

277[Repealed]

s 277 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2005 No. 3 s 65; 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

278[Repealed]

s 278 amd 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

om 2010 No. 53 s 86

279[Repealed]

s 279 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

amd 2010 No. 31 s 544 sch 2 (amdt could not be given effect)

280[Repealed]

s 280 om 2010 No. 53 s 86

Part 10 General provisions for petroleum wells, water injection bores, water observation bores and water supply bores

ch 2 pt 10 hdg amd 2013 No. 23 s 352 sch 1 pt 2; 2014 No. 47 s 620

Division 1 Restrictions on drilling

281Requirements for drilling petroleum well

(1)A person drilling a petroleum well must comply with any requirements prescribed under a regulation that apply to the drilling of the well.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.
(2)The requirements may include provisions to prevent the drilling adversely affecting the carrying out of safe and efficient mining or future mining of coal under the Mineral Resources Act.

s 281 sub 2004 No. 26 s 121

amd 2005 No. 3 s 66; 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

282Restriction on who may drill water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore

(1)A person must not drill a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore unless the person is a licensed water bore driller.

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units.

(2)However, a petroleum tenure holder may drill a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore in the area of the tenure if the holder complies with the requirements for drilling a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore prescribed under a regulation.
(3)Also, a water monitoring authority holder may drill a water injection bore or water observation bore in the area of the authority if the holder complies with the requirements for drilling a water injection bore or water observation bore prescribed under a regulation.

s 282 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

sub 2013 No. 23 s 179

amd 2014 No. 47 s 622

Division 2 Converting petroleum well to water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore

ch 2 pt 10 div 2 hdg sub 2013 No. 23 s 180

amd 2014 No. 47 s 621

282AApplication of div 2

This division applies to a petroleum well in the area of a petroleum tenure that has been drilled as required under section 281, or decommissioned under section 292, on or after 1 January 2012.

s 282A ins 2013 No. 23 s 180

283Restrictions on making conversion

(1)The petroleum tenure holder may convert the petroleum well to a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore only if—
(a)the holder lodges—
(i)a well completion report for the well; and
(ii)a notice in the approved form that the holder intends to convert the petroleum well to a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore; and
(b)the holder complies with requirements prescribed under a regulation for converting the petroleum well to a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

(2)The approved form must require the holder to state the day on which the petroleum well will be converted to a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore.
(3)In this section—
well completion report means a well completion report that a regulation requires a petroleum tenure holder to lodge under section 553(1)(b).

s 283 amd 2013 No. 23 s 172; 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1

sub 2013 No. 23 s 180

amd 2014 No. 47 s 621

284Notice of conversion

The petroleum tenure must, within 10 business days after the holder converts the well, lodge a notice stating the information prescribed under a regulation.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

s 284 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

sub 2013 No. 23 s 180

284ATime of conversion

(1)The petroleum well is taken to be converted to a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore on the earlier of the following—
(a)the day stated in the approved form under section 283;
(b)the day the notice under section 284 is lodged.
(2)However, if the holder fails to give notice under sections 283 and 284, the petroleum well is taken to be converted to a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore immediately after the well is converted.

s 284A ins 2013 No. 23 s 180

amd 2014 No. 47 s 621

Division 3 Transfers of petroleum wells, water injection bores, water observation bores and water supply bores

ch 2 pt 10 div 3 hdg amd 2014 No. 47 s 620

Subdivision 1 General provisions

285Operation of div 3

(1)This division permits, in particular circumstances, the transfer of the following in relation to a petroleum well, water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore—
(a)the control of, and responsibility for, the well or bore;
(b)the ownership of any works constructed in connection with the well or bore.

Note—

For the ownership of works mentioned in paragraph (b) generally, see section 542.
(2)In this division, a transfer of a petroleum well, water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore is a reference to a transfer in relation to the well or bore mentioned in subsection (1).

s 285 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2014 No. 47 s 621

286Transfer only permitted under div 3

A purported transfer of a petroleum well, water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore is of no effect unless—
(a)the transfer is permitted under this division; and
(b)the requirements under this subdivision for making the transfer have been complied with.

s 286 amd 2014 No. 47 s 621

287Effect of transfer

(1)If a petroleum well, water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore is transferred under this division, any obligation the transferor had under this Act or another law in relation to the well or bore ceases.
(2)However, if the transferor is someone other than the State, subsection (1) does not apply to the Environmental Protection Act.

Note—

For transfers by the State, see section 294.

s 287 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2014 No. 47 s 621

Subdivision 2 Permitted transfers

288Transfer of water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore to landowner

(1)A petroleum tenure holder may, by complying with the requirements under subsection (3), transfer a water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore in the area of the tenure to the landowner.

Note—

See also the Water Act 2000, section 808.
(2)A water monitoring authority holder may, by complying with the requirements under subsection (3), transfer a water injection bore or water observation bore in the area of the authority to the landowner.
(3)For subsections (1) and (2), the requirements are that each of the following have been lodged—
(a)a notice in the approved form;
(b)the transfer fee prescribed under a regulation.
(4)The approved form must require—
(a)a statement by the holder transferring the bore that—
(i)if the bore has been drilled under section 282section 282 has been complied with for the bore; or
(ii)if the bore has been converted from a petroleum well under section 283section 283 has been complied with for the bore; and
(b)the signed consent of the landowner to the transfer.
(5)In this section—
landowner means the owner of the land on which the bore is located.

s 288 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 241 sch; 2008 No. 56 s 95; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2013 No. 23 s 181; 2014 No. 47 s 623; 2018 No. 24 s 207

288ATransfer of water observation bore to State

(1)A petroleum tenure holder or water monitoring authority holder may transfer a water observation bore in the area of the tenure or authority to the State if—
(a)the holder gives the chief executive a notice, in the approved form, offering to transfer the bore to the State; and
(b)the chief executive receives the notice no later than 60 business days before the holder must, as required under section 292, decommission the bore; and
(c)the chief executive, within 20 business days after receiving the notice, gives the holder notice that the State consents to the transfer.
(2)The approved form must require a statement by the holder transferring the bore that, if the bore was drilled under section 282, that section has been complied with for the bore.
(3)If the chief executive gives the holder a notice under subsection (1)(c), the notice must state the day the transfer takes effect.
(4)If the chief executive does not give the holder a notice under subsection (1)(c), the holder must, as required under section 292, decommission the bore.

s 288A ins 2018 No. 24 s 208

289Transfer of petroleum well to holder of geothermal tenure or mining tenement

A petroleum tenure holder may transfer a petroleum well in the petroleum tenure’s area to the holder of a geothermal tenure or mining tenement if—
(a)the well is in the geothermal tenure’s or mining tenement’s area; and
(b)a notice in the approved form and the transfer fee prescribed under a regulation have been lodged.

s 289 amd 2004 No. 26 s 69 (2) sch

sub 2010 No. 31 s 548

amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

290Transfer of water observation bore to petroleum tenure or water monitoring authority holder

(1)A petroleum tenure holder or water monitoring authority holder may transfer a water observation bore in the area of the tenure or authority to the holder of another petroleum tenure or water monitoring authority if—
(a)the bore is in the area of the other tenure or authority; and
(b)a notice in the approved form and the transfer fee prescribed under a regulation have been lodged.
(2)The approved form must require a statement by the holder transferring the bore that section 282 has been complied with for the bore.

s 290 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2013 No. 23 s 182

Subdivision 3 Notice of transfer

291Notice of transfer to Water Act regulator or Mineral Resources Act chief executive

(1)If a transfer is made under section 288, the chief executive must give the Water Act regulator notice of the transfer.
(2)If a transfer is made under section 289, the chief executive must give the chief executive that administers the Mineral Resources Act notice of the transfer.
(3)A failure to comply with subsection (1) or (2) does not invalidate or otherwise affect the transfer.

Division 4 Decommissioning of petroleum wells, water injection bores, water observation bores and water supply bores

ch 2 pt 10 div 4 hdg amd 2014 No. 47 s 620

292Obligation to decommission

(1)This section applies to a person (the responsible person) who holds a petroleum tenure on which there is a petroleum well, water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore drilled by or for the tenure holder or that has been transferred to the tenure holder, unless the well or bore has, under division 3, been transferred to someone else.
(2)The responsible person must ensure the well or bore is decommissioned from use under this Act before—
(a)the tenure or authority ends; or
(b)the land on which the well or bore is located ceases to be in the area of the tenure or authority.

Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 814A, to have also committed the offence.
(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply—
(a)for land that, under section 101(1), ceases to be in the area of an authority to prospect; or
(b)if the tenure or authority ends because it is divided under this chapter; or
(c)for a petroleum well—
(i)if a GHG tenure is granted; and
(ii)the GHG tenure’s area includes the well; and
(iii)the petroleum tenure holder and the GHG tenure holder have agreed in writing that the GHG tenure holder is to assume responsibility for the well; and
(iv)a copy of the agreement has been lodged.
(4)For subsection (2), the well or bore is decommissioned from use under this Act only if—
(a)it has been plugged and abandoned in the way prescribed under a regulation; and
(b)for a bore—the decommissioning complies with the Water Act, sections 816 and 817; and
(c)the responsible person has given the chief executive a notice, in the approved form, about the decommissioning of the well or bore.

Note—

For the power of an authorised person to ensure compliance, see section 580.
(5)Subsection (4)(b) applies only to the extent it is not inconsistent with subsection (4)(a).

s 292 amd 2004 No. 26 s 122; 2005 No. 3 s 67; 2007 No. 46 s 172; 2009 No. 3 s 551; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1, s 281 sch 2; 2013 No. 23 s 173; 2013 No. 51 s 229 sch 1; 2014 No. 47 s 624; 2018 No. 24 s 209

293Right of entry to facilitate decommissioning

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a responsible person under section 292 has not carried out decommissioning on land as required under that section; and
(b)the relevant petroleum tenure or water monitoring authority has ended or the land on which the well or bore is located is no longer in the area of the tenure or authority.
(2)The responsible person may enter the following land to carry out the decommissioning—
(a)land (the primary land) on which the decommissioning must be, or was required to be, carried out;
(b)any other land (the access land) it is reasonably necessary to cross for access to the primary land.
(3)The Common Provisions Act, chapter 3, parts 2, 3 and 6 and part 7, divisions 1, 2 and 5 applies to the responsible person, in the following way—
(a)if the tenure or authority has ended, as if—
(i)it were still in force; and
(ii)the person is its holder;
(b)as if the primary land and access land is in the area of the tenure or authority;
(c)as if the decommissioning is an authorised activity for the tenure or authority.

s 293 amd 2009 No. 3 s 552; 2010 No. 31 s 544 sch 2 pt 2; 2014 No. 47 s 555; 2018 No. 24 s 210; 2024 No. 33 s 183 sch 1 pt 1

294Responsibility for well or bore after decommissioning

(1)This section applies if a petroleum tenure holder or water monitoring authority holder has, under section 292, decommissioned a petroleum well, water injection bore, water observation bore or water supply bore.

Note—

For ownership before decommissioning, see section 542.
(2)Despite the decommissioning, the holder continues to be responsible under this Act for the well or bore until the earlier of the following times (the relevant time)—
(a)when the tenure or authority ends;
(b)when the land on which the well or bore is located ceased to be in the area of the tenure or authority.
(3)At the relevant time the well or bore is taken to have been transferred to the State.
(4)Subsection (3) applies despite—
(a)the well or bore being on or part of land owned by someone else; or
(b)the sale or other disposal of the land.
(5)After the relevant time, the State may transfer the well or bore.
(6)However—
(a)the transfer from the State can only be to—
(i)the owner of the land on which the well or bore is located; or
(ii)the holder of a geothermal tenure or mining tenement the area of which includes that land; and
(b)the transfer from the State and the use of the well or bore by the transferee is subject to this Act and any other relevant Act or law.

s 294 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2010 No. 31 s 544 sch 2 pt 4; 2013 No. 23 s 174; 2014 No. 47 s 621

Division 5 Remediation activity

ch 2 pt 10 div 5 hdg ins 2014 No. 47 s 586

294ADefinitions for div 5

In this part—
authorised person means a person authorised by the chief executive, under section 294B, to carry out a remediation activity.
lower flammability limit means the smallest amount of gas that supports a self-propagating flame when mixed with air (or oxygen) and ignited.
remediation activity see section 294B.

s 294A ins 2014 No. 47 s 586

294BAuthorised person to carry out remediation activities

(1)The chief executive may authorise a person to remediate any of the following bores or wells and to rehabilitate the surrounding area in compliance with the requirements prescribed under a regulation (the remediation activity)—
(a)a bore or well posing a risk to life or property;
(b)a bore or well the chief executive reasonably believes is a legacy borehole;
(c)a bore or well on fire or emitting gas causing a gas concentration in the surrounding air greater than the lower flammability limit.
(2)In this section—
remediate, a bore or well, includes plug and abandon the bore or well.

s 294B ins 2014 No. 47 s 586

294CEntering land to carry out remediation activities

(1)This section applies to the following land—
(a)land (primary land) on which a legacy borehole exists;
(b)land (adjacent land) that is adjacent to primary land if an authorised person has no other reasonably practicable way of entering the primary land without entering the adjacent land.
(2)An authorised person may enter land to carry out a remediation activity—
(a)if the remediation activity relates to a bore or well mentioned in section 294B(1)(a) or (c)—at any time; or
(b)otherwise—within a period of 10 business days starting on the earlier of the following days—
(i)the day the owner of the land is given notice of the entry under section 294D;
(ii)the day the occupier of the land is given notice of the entry under section 294D.
(3)However, subsection (2) does not authorise the entry of a structure, or a part of a structure, used for residential purposes without the consent of the occupier of the structure or part.

s 294C ins 2014 No. 47 s 586

294DNotice of entry

(1)An authorised person entering land under section 294C to carry out a remediation activity must give the owner and the occupier of the land written notice of the entry—
(a)if the remediation activity relates to a bore or well mentioned in section 294B(1)(a) or (c)—within 10 business days after the entry is made; or
(b)otherwise—before entering the land.
(2)The written notice must state the following—
(a)when the entry was, or is to be, made;
(b)the purpose of the entry;
(c)that the authorised person is permitted under this Act to enter the land without consent or a warrant;
(d)the remediation activity carried out or proposed to be carried out.

s 294D ins 2014 No. 47 s 586

294EObligation of authorised person in carrying out remediation activity

An authorised person who enters land under this part—
(a)must not cause, or contribute to, unnecessary damage to any structure or works on the land; and
(b)must take all reasonable steps to ensure the person causes as little inconvenience, and does as little other damage, as is practicable in the circumstances.

s 294E ins 2014 No. 47 s 586

294FApplication of particular safety Acts to remediation activity

(1)The place at which a remediation activity is authorised to be carried out is taken to be a coal mine, to which the Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999 applies, if the authorised person ordinarily carries out similar activities under that Act.
(2)The place at which a remediation activity is authorised to be carried out is taken to be a mine, to which the Mining and Quarrying Safety and Health Act 1999 applies, if the authorised person ordinarily carries out similar activities under that Act.
(3)The place at which a remediation activity is authorised to be carried out is taken to be an operating plant under this Act if the authorised person ordinarily carries out similar activities under this Act.

s 294F ins 2014 No. 47 s 586

Chapter 3 Provisions for coal seam gas

Part 1 Preliminary

Division 1 Introduction

295[Repealed]

s 295 amd 2004 No. 26 s 123; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3

om 2014 No. 47 s 572

296[Repealed]

s 296 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3

om 2014 No. 47 s 572

297Relationship with chs 2 and 5 and ch 15, pt 3 and the Common Provisions Act

(1)Requirements and restrictions under this chapter apply as well as any relevant requirements under chapters 2 or 5 or chapter 15, part 3 or the Common Provisions Act.
(2)If this chapter imposes a requirement for or a restriction on the granting, renewal, division or transfer of a petroleum tenure, the tenure can not be granted, renewed, divided or transferred if the restriction applies or if the requirement has not been complied with.
(3)If this chapter imposes a requirement for or a restriction on the carrying out of an authorised activity for a petroleum tenure or data acquisition authority, despite chapter 2, the activity is not an authorised activity for the tenure while the restriction applies or if the requirement has not been complied with.
(4)If a provision of this chapter conflicts with a provision of chapter 2 or 5 or chapter 15, part 3 or the Common Provisions Act, the provision of this chapter prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

s 297 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 124, 69 (2) sch; 2014 No. 47 s 573

298Description of petroleum leases for ch 3 and ch 15, pt 3

Despite schedule 2, definitions block and sub-block and any provision of this chapter or chapter 15, part 3, a petroleum lease applied for or granted under this chapter may be described in metes and bounds.

s 298 amd 2004 No. 26 s 125; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1; 2020 No. 9 s 45

Division 2 Definitions for chapter 3

299What is coal seam gas and incidental coal seam gas

(1)Coal seam gas is petroleum (in any state) occurring naturally in association with coal or oil shale, or in strata associated with coal or oil shale mining.
(2)Incidental coal seam gas is incidental coal seam gas as defined under the Mineral Resources Act, section 318CM(2).

300What is oil shale

Oil shale is any shale or other rock (other than coal) from which a gasification or retorting product may be extracted or produced.

301What is a coal exploration tenement and a coal mining lease

(1)A coal exploration tenement is an exploration permit or mineral development licence under the Mineral Resources Act granted for coal.
(2)A coal mining lease is—
(a)a mining lease for coal; or
(b)a special coal mining lease granted under any of the following Acts, an agreement provided for under any of the Acts or any amendment of an agreement provided for under any of the Acts—
(i)the Central Queensland Coal Associates Agreement Act 1968;
(ii)the Thiess Peabody Mitsui Coal Pty. Ltd. Agreements Acts 1962 to 1965; or
(c)a specific purpose mining lease for a purpose associated with, arising from or promoting the activity of coal mining, whether or not it is also granted for a purpose other than coal mining.
(3)Subsections (1) and (2)(a) apply whether or not the lease, permit or licence is also granted for another mineral.
(4)However, for parts 1 to 5
(a)a coal exploration tenement does not include an exploration permit or mineral development licence granted for coal to which the Common Provisions Act, chapter 4, applies; and
(b)a coal mining lease does not include a mining lease granted for coal to which the Common Provisions Act, chapter 4, applies.

s 301 amd 2014 No. 47 s 574

302What is an oil shale exploration tenement and an oil shale mining lease

(1)An oil shale exploration tenement is an exploration permit or mineral development licence granted for oil shale.
(2)An oil shale mining lease is—
(a)a mining lease for oil shale; or
(b)a specific purpose mining lease for a purpose associated with, arising from or promoting the activity of oil shale mining, whether or not it is also granted for a purpose other than oil shale mining.
(3)Subsections (1) and (2)(a) apply whether or not the lease, permit or licence is also granted for another mineral.

303What is a coal or oil shale mining tenement

A coal or oil shale mining tenement is—
(a)a coal exploration tenement; or
(b)an oil shale exploration tenement; or
(c)a coal or oil shale mining lease.

s 303 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

303A What is a petroleum tenure

For parts 1 to 5
(a)a petroleum lease does not include a petroleum lease to which the Common Provisions Act, chapter 4, applies; and
(b)an authority to prospect does not include an authority to prospect to which the Common Provisions Act, chapter 4, applies.

s 303A ins 2014 No. 47 s 575

Part 2 Obtaining petroleum lease over land in area of coal or oil shale exploration tenement

Division 1 Obtaining petroleum lease other than by or jointly with, or with the consent of, coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

304Application of div 1

(1)This division applies if—
(a)land is in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement; and
(b)a person, who, under section 117, may make an ATP-related application for all or part of the land wishes to make that application.
(2)However, this division does not apply if—
(a)the person is the tenement holder; or
(b)if the application is to be made jointly with the tenement holder; or
(c)the application is made with the tenement holder’s written consent; or
(d)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement is a mineral (f) pilot tenure.

Note—

For the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2), see division 2.

s 304 amd 2010 No. 31 s 430; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Subdivision 2 Provisions for making petroleum lease application

305Additional requirements for making application

(1)The ATP-related application must include the following—
(a)a statement (a CSG statement) that complies with section 306;
(b)other information that addresses the matters mentioned in subsection (2) (the CSG assessment criteria), other than the matter mentioned in subsection (2)(e)(iii).
(2)The CSG assessment criteria are—
(a)the requirements of chapter 9; and
(b)the initial development plan requirements; and
(c)the additional requirements under part 6 for proposed initial development plans; and
(d)the legitimate business interests of the applicant and the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder (the parties); and

Examples of a party’s legitimate business interests—

contractual obligations
the effect on, and use of, existing infrastructure or mining or production facilities
exploration expenditure on relevant overlapping tenures
(e)the effect of the proposed petroleum lease on the future development of coal or oil shale resources from the land, including, for example, each of the following—
(i)the proposed timing and rate of petroleum production and the development of coal or oil shale resources from the land;
(ii)the potential for the parties to make a coordination arrangement about—
(A)petroleum production under the proposed petroleum lease; and
(B)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas mining under any future mining lease over the land;
(iii)the attempts required of the applicant under section 310(1)(b) and any changes of the type mentioned in section 310(1)(c);
(iv)the economic and technical viability of the concurrent or coordinated petroleum production and the development of any coal or oil shale resources in the land;
(v)the extent, nature and value of petroleum production and the development of any coal or oil shale resources in the land; and
(f)the public interest in petroleum production from, and the development of any coal or oil shale resources in, the land, having regard to the public interest.
(3)The proposed development plan included in the application must also comply with part 6.

s 305 amd 2004 No. 26 s 126; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1

306Content requirements for CSG statement

(1)A CSG statement must—
(a)assess—
(i)the likely effect of proposed petroleum production on the future development of coal or oil shale resources from the land; and
(ii)the technical and commercial feasibility of coordinated petroleum production and coal or oil shale mining from the land; and
(b)include an overview of a proposed safety management system for all operating plant, or proposed operating plant, for proposed petroleum production under the lease that may affect possible future safe and efficient mining under a coal or oil shale mining lease.
(2)The proposed safety management system must—
(a)for activities of the plant that may affect future safe and efficient mining of coal, comply with the requirements under sections 675 and 705C for a safety management system; and
(b)include proposals for the minimisation of potential adverse effects on possible future safe and efficient mining under a future mining lease.

s 306 amd 2005 No. 3 ss 68, 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 104, 121, 122 sch; 2011 No. 16 s 17; 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

Subdivision 3 Provisions for applications in particular circumstances

ch 3 pt 2 div 1 sdiv 3 hdg amd 2007 No. 46 s 173; 2011 No. 20 s 187

307Applications relating to exploration tenement and mining lease not held by same person

(1)This section applies if a person to whom this division applies wishes to make an application to which this division applies—
(a)for land in the area of each of the following—
(i)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement (the exploration tenement part);
(ii)a coal or oil shale mining lease (the mining lease part); and
(b)the exploration tenement and the mining lease are not held by the same person.

Note—

If the coal or oil shale exploration tenement and the coal or oil shale mining lease are held by the same person, see section 344(3).
(2)The person may make separate ATP-related applications for the exploration tenement part and the mining lease part.
(3)A separate application for the exploration tenement part, or the part of an application that relates to the exploration tenement part, must be decided under this division.
(4)A separate application for the mining lease part, or the part of an application that relates to the mining lease part, must be decided under part 3.

s 307 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 174; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2011 No. 20 s 188

308Applications relating to other land

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a person to whom this division applies wishes to make an application to which this division applies; and
(b)the proposed application includes land (the other part) not in the area of a coal or oil shale mining tenement.
(2)The person may lodge a separate ATP-related application for the other part.
(3)A separate application for the other part, or the part of an application that relates to the other part, must be decided under chapter 2.

s 308 sub 2007 No. 46 s 175

amd 2011 No. 20 s 189

309[Repealed]

s 309 om 2007 No. 46 s 176

Subdivision 4 Obligations of applicant and coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder

310Applicant’s obligations

(1)The applicant must—
(a)within 10 business days after making the ATP-related application, give the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder a copy of the application, other than any part of the application that relates to the capability criteria; and
(b)use reasonable attempts to—
(i)consult with the tenement holder about the applicant’s proposed development plan and proposed safety management system; and
(ii)make an appropriate arrangement with the tenement holder about advanced testing carried out, or proposed to be carried out, by the tenement holder (a testing arrangement); and

Example of advanced testing—

bulk sampling

Note—

See also part 8 (Confidentiality of information).
(c)change the proposed plan or system to give effect to any reasonable proposal by the tenement holder that will optimise the safe and efficient production of—
(i)petroleum under the proposed petroleum lease; and
(ii)coal or oil shale under any future mining lease over the land; and
(d)within 4 months after the making of the application, lodge a notice stating each of the following—
(i)the details of the consultation;
(ii)the results of the consultation;
(iii)any comments the applicant wishes to make about any submissions lodged by the tenement holder, under section 314;
(iv)any changes to the proposed development plan or proposed safety management system;
(v)if a testing arrangement has been made—details of the arrangement;
(vi)if a testing arrangement has not been made—details of the attempts made to make a testing arrangement;
(vii)the applicant’s assessment of the potential for the applicant and the tenement holder to make a coordination arrangement about—
(A)petroleum production under the proposed petroleum lease; and
(B)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas mining under any future mining lease over the land.
(2)However, the obligations under subsection (1)(b)(ii) and (c) apply only to the extent the provisions or arrangement are commercially and technically feasible for the applicant.
(3)For subsection (1)(b)(ii), if the exploration tenement is an exploration permit, it is appropriate for the agreement to give the permit holder the right to carry out advanced testing to satisfy the Minister under the Mineral Resources Act, section 186(6)(a).
(4)However, subsection (3) does not require the applicant to agree to testing having a duration of more than 12 months.

s 310 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1, s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

311Minister may require further negotiation

(1)The Minister may, after receiving the notice under section 310(1)(d), require the applicant to conduct negotiations with the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder with a view to—
(a)making a testing arrangement mentioned in section 310(1)(b)(ii); or
(b)making changes of a type mentioned in section 310(1)(c).
(2)The applicant must use all reasonable attempts to comply with the requirement.

312Consequence of applicant not complying with obligations or requirement

If the Minister is reasonably satisfied the applicant has not complied with an obligation under section 310 or 311, the ATP-related application may be refused.

s 312 amd 2011 No. 2 s 121

313Obligations of coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder

The coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder must—
(a)within 20 business days after receiving a copy of the application, give the applicant basic information the tenement holder has about the following that the applicant may reasonably need to comply with sections 305, 306 and 310
(i)the type of exploration activities carried out, or proposed to be carried out under the tenement;
(ii)coal or oil shale resources in the land; and
(b)after receiving a copy of the ATP-related application, make reasonable attempts to reach an agreement with the applicant about the matters mentioned in section 310(1)(b) that provides the best resource use outcome without significantly affecting the parties’ rights or interests.

s 313 amd 2004 No. 26 s 127

314Submissions by coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder

(1)The coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder may lodge submissions about the ATP-related application.
(2)However, the submissions may be lodged only within 3 months after the holder is, under section 310(1)(a), given a copy of the application (the submission period).
(3)The submissions may—
(a)state that the holder does not object to the granting of the proposed petroleum lease; and
(b)state that the holder does not wish any preference for the future development of coal or oil shale from the land (coal or oil shale development preference); and
(c)include information about all or any of the following—
(i)exploration carried out under the tenement;
(ii)the results of the exploration;
(iii)the prospects for future coal or oil shale mining or incidental coal seam gas mining from the land; and
(d)include a proposal by the tenement holder for the development of coal or oil shale in the land; and
(e)include information relevant to the CSG assessment criteria; and
(f)include reasonable provisions for the safety management system for petroleum production under the petroleum lease.
(4)The holder must give the applicant a copy of the submissions.
(5)In deciding the ATP-related application, regard must be had to the submissions.

s 314 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

Subdivision 5 Priority for earlier coal or oil shale mining lease application or proposed application

ch 3 pt 2 div 1 sdiv 5 hdg amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

315Earlier coal or oil shale mining lease application

(1)The ATP-related application must not be decided if—
(a)before the making of the ATP-related application, a coal or oil shale mining lease application was made for the land; and
(b)the mining lease application complies with the Mineral Resources Act, sections 245 and 246, and any relevant provision of chapter 8 of that Act; and
(c)the mining lease application has not been decided.
(2)However, subsection (1) does not apply if—
(a)the ATP-related application was made in response to an invitation in a notice given under the Mineral Resources Act, section 318BG and the application was made within 6 months after the giving of the notice; or
(b)the coal or oil shale mining lease applicant has given written consent to the petroleum lease application.

Note—

See however the Mineral Resources Act, chapter 8, part 4 (Coal mining lease and oil shale mining lease applications in response to Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act preference decision).

See also the Mineral Resources Act, section 318AY (Earlier petroleum lease application).

s 315 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3

316Proposed coal or oil shale mining lease for which EIS approval given

(1)The ATP-related application must not be decided if—
(a)before the making of the ATP-related application, an approval under the Environmental Protection Act, chapter 3, part 2, was granted for the voluntary preparation of an EIS for a project that is, or includes, a proposed coal or oil shale mining lease mining lease for the land; and
(b)the proponent for the EIS—
(i)is, or includes, the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder; or
(ii)is someone else who has the tenement holder’s consent.
(2)However, subsection (1) ceases to apply if—
(a)the proponent of the EIS does not make a coal or oil shale mining lease application for the land within 1 year after the granting of the approval; or
(b)a coal or oil shale mining lease application is made for the land within the period mentioned in paragraph (a) and—
(i)it does not comply with the Mineral Resources Act, sections 245 and 246, and any relevant provision of chapter 8 of that Act; or
(ii)it is decided; or
(c)the proponent for the EIS has given written consent to the petroleum lease application.

s 316 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3

317Proposed mining lease declared a coordinated project

(1)The ATP-related application must not be decided if—
(a)before the making of the ATP-related application, a coordinated project is declared for a proposed coal or oil shale mining lease for the land; and
(b)the proponent for the coordinated project—
(i)is, or includes, the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder; or
(ii)is someone else who has the tenement holder’s consent.
(2)However, subsection (1) ceases to apply if—
(a)the proponent of the coordinated project does not make a coal or oil shale mining lease application for the land within 1 year after the making of the declaration; or
(b)a coal or oil shale mining lease application is made for the land within the period mentioned in paragraph (a) and—
(i)it does not comply with the Mineral Resources Act, sections 245 and 246, and any relevant provision of chapter 8 of that Act; or
(ii)it is decided.
(c)the proponent of the coordinated project has given written consent to the petroleum lease application.

s 317 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2005 No. 57 s 9; 2012 No. 43 s 325 sch 2; 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3; 2020 No. 14 s 190

Subdivision 6 Ministerial decision about whether to give any preference to development of coal or oil shale resources

318When preference decision is required

(1)This subdivision applies for the application only if the Minister is satisfied of each of the following—
(a)there is a resource or reserve (the deposit) of coal or oil shale in the land;
(b)the deposit has been identified under the relevant code;
(c)there is the level of knowledge about the deposit, as prescribed under a regulation;
(d)the location, quantity, quality, geological characteristics and continuity of the deposit are known, or have been estimated or interpreted, from specific geological evidence and knowledge;
(e)there are reasonable prospects for the eventual economic mining of the deposit.
(2)However, this subdivision does not apply if—
(a)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder has not complied with section 313(a); or
(b)the tenement holder has, under section 314, lodged a submission stating that the holder does not wish any coal or oil shale development preference for the land; or
(c)the tenement holder has not lodged any submission under section 314 within the submission period.
(3)If the Minister decides that the Minister is not satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1), the tenement holder must be given notice of the decision.
(4)In this section—
relevant code means any of the following—
(a)
the document called ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (The JORC Code)’ and incorporated guidelines, published by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (JORC), as amended and published from time to time;
(b)another document (however called) published by JORC that amends or replaces the code mentioned in paragraph (a);
(c)if a document mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) stops being published—another similar document prescribed under a regulation.

Notes—

1If the Minister is not satisfied as mentioned in subsection (1), the application can be decided under chapter 2.
2If this subdivision does not apply because of subsection (2), the application can be decided under chapter 2 and subdivision 8.

s 318 amd 2004 No. 26 s 128; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

319Decision about whether to give any preference to development of coal or oil shale

(1)Subject to section 320, the Minister must decide whether to—
(a)grant the petroleum lease application; or
(b)give any coal or oil shale development preference for the land, in whole or part.
(2)The decision under subsection (1) is the preference decision.
(3)In making the preference decision the CSG assessment criteria must be considered.
(4)If, under the Mineral Resources Act, chapter 8, part 2, division 6, petroleum development preference has been given for the land, the preference decision is taken to be not to give coal or oil shale development preference for any of the land.

s 319 amd 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3

320Reference to Land Court before making preference decision

(1)Before making the preference decision—
(a)the chief executive must refer the application to the Land Court for it to make recommendations to the Minister about what the preference decision should be; and
(b)the Minister must consider the recommendations.
(2)The referral must be made by filing a notice in the approved form with the registrar of the Land Court.
(3)The referral starts a proceeding before the Land Court for it to make the recommendations.
(4)The parties to the proceeding are the applicant and the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder.
(5)In making the recommendations—
(a)the CSG assessment criteria must be considered; and
(b)section 321 applies as if a reference in the section—
(i)to the Minister were a reference to the Land Court; and
(ii)to coal or oil shale development preference were a reference to recommending coal or oil shale development preference.
(6)The recommendations may also include recommendations about the conditions and term of the petroleum lease.

s 320 amd 2007 No. 39 s 41 sch

321Restrictions on giving preference

(1)Coal or oil shale development preference, in whole or part, must not be given unless this section has been complied with.
(2)Coal or oil shale development preference may be given only if the Minister is satisfied of each of the following—
(a)on the basis of the submissions and the results of consultation lodged under sections 310 and 314, it is either not commercially or technically feasible or it is unlikely that the applicant and the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder are able to make a future coordination arrangement about—
(i)petroleum production under the proposed petroleum lease; and
(ii)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas mining under any future mining lease for the land;
(b)that, having regard to the public interest, the public interest in the following would be best served by not granting a petroleum lease to the petroleum lease applicant first—
(i)petroleum production;
(ii)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas mining;
(c)if the coal or oil shale is a brownfield coal or oil shale resource—
(i)it is critical to the continuance of an existing mining operation or the efficient use of infrastructure related to the operation; and
(ii)the applicant’s proposed development plan is incompatible with the future development of the resource;
(d)if the coal or oil shale is a greenfield coal or oil shale resource—
(i)it is commercially viable; and
(ii)coal or oil shale mining will, if a mining lease is granted to the tenement holder, start within 2 years after the grant of the lease.
(3)In this section—
brownfield coal or oil shale resource means coal or oil shale associated with, or adjacent to, an existing mining operation under the Mineral Resources Act.
greenfield coal or oil shale resource means coal or oil shale that is not associated with, or adjacent to, an existing mining operation under the Mineral Resources Act.

s 321 amd 2004 No. 26 s 129

Subdivision 7 Process if preference decision is to give any preference to development of coal or oil shale resources

322Application of sdiv 7

This subdivision applies only if, under section 318, a preference decision is required and that decision was to give coal or oil shale development preference for the whole or part of the land.

323Notice to applicant and coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder

(1)The chief executive must give the applicant and the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder notice of the preference decision.
(2)The notice must invite the tenement holder to, within 6 months after the giving of the notice (the mining lease application period), apply for a mining lease for—
(a)if the preference is for all of the land—all of the land; or
(b)if the preference is for part of the land—that part.

324Mining lease application for all of the land

(1)This section applies if the preference is for all of the land and, within the mining lease application period, the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder applies for a mining lease for all of the land.
(2)A further step can not be taken to decide the ATP-related application until after the mining lease application has been decided.

Note—

See however the Mineral Resources Act, chapter 8, part 4 (Coal mining lease and oil shale mining lease applications in response to Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act preference decision).
(3)If the decision on the mining lease application is to grant a mining lease for all of the land, the ATP-related application is taken to have lapsed, unless the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder has consented in writing to the application.

s 324 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3

325Mining lease application for part of the land

(1)This section applies if the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder applies for a mining lease for part of the land within the mining lease application period.
(2)The person who made the ATP-related application may amend it so that a petroleum lease is only sought for all or part of the rest of the land.
(3)Unless the amendment is made, a further step can not be taken to decide the ATP-related application until after the mining lease application has been decided.
(4)If—
(a)the amendment has not been made; and
(b)the decision on the mining lease application is to grant a mining lease for part of the land;

the person who made the ATP-related application may amend it so that a petroleum lease is only sought for all or part of the rest of the land.

Note—

If the petroleum lease application is not amended, see section 350.

s 325 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

326No mining lease application

If the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder does not apply for a mining lease for any of the land within the mining lease application period, the ATP-related application may be decided.

Subdivision 8 Deciding petroleum lease

327Application of sdiv 8

This subdivision applies if—
(a)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder has not complied with section 313(a); or
(b)the tenement holder has, under section 314, lodged a submission stating that the holder does not wish any coal or oil shale development preference for the land; or
(c)the tenement holder has not lodged any submission under section 314 within the submission period; or
(d)under section 318, a preference decision is required and—
(i)the preference decision was not to give coal or oil shale development preference for any of the land; or
(ii)the preference decision was to give coal or oil shale development preference for the whole or part of the land and, after subdivision 7 is complied with, the Minister decides to grant a petroleum lease for the land.

s 327 amd 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch

328Additional criteria for deciding provisions of petroleum lease

(1)In deciding the provisions of the petroleum lease the following must also be considered—
(a)the CSG assessment criteria;
(b)the effect of the petroleum lease on safe and efficient mining of coal or oil shale under any adjacent lease;
(c)the effect on safe and efficient mining of coal or oil shale under any future coal or oil shale mining lease that arises from the coal or oil shale exploration tenement.
(2)Subsection (1) does not limit other matters that must be considered under chapter 2.

Note—

See sections 104 to 123, 133 and 134.

s 328 amd 2004 No. 26 s 130; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

329Power to impose relinquishment condition

(1)In deciding the provisions of the petroleum lease, a condition may be imposed that its holder is required, by a lodged notice, to relinquish a stated part or percentage of its area at stated times or intervals.

Note—

See however section 368 (Cessation of relinquishment condition for area not overlapping with coal or oil shale exploration tenement).
(2)A condition mentioned in subsection (1) is a relinquishment condition.

Note—

See also section 367 (Requirement for giving of copy of relinquishment report).
(3)This section does not limit any power under chapter 2 to impose conditions on the petroleum lease.
(4)A relinquishment under a relinquishment condition takes effect on the day after the notice is lodged.

s 329 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

330Publication of outcome of application

(1)After the Minister decides whether to grant the petroleum lease, the chief executive must publish a notice about the outcome of the application in the gazette or another publication the Minister considers appropriate.
(2)The notice must state—
(a)whether the Minister decided to grant or not to grant the petroleum lease; and
(b)if the decision was to grant—any conditions of the petroleum lease other than the mandatory conditions; and
(c)if, under section 318, a preference decision was required and that decision was to give coal or oil shale development preference for the whole or part of the land—the decision, and the reasons for it.
(3)However, if the chief executive considers that information in any condition is commercial-in-confidence, the chief executive may, instead of publishing the condition, publish a statement about the intent of the condition.

Division 2 Petroleum lease application by or jointly with, or with the consent of, coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder

331Application of div 2

(1)This division applies if—
(a)land is in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement; and
(b)a person who, under section 117, may make an ATP-related application for all or part of the land wishes to make that application; and
(c)the tenement holder has consented to the making of the application.
(2)This division also applies if—
(a)land is in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement; and
(b)a person as follows wishes to apply for a petroleum lease for all or part of the land—
(i)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder;
(ii)a person who wishes to make the application jointly with the holder; and
(c)a person mentioned in paragraph (b) has made a coal mining lease application or oil shale mining lease application for the land and the application is not for a specific purpose mining lease; and
(d)the purpose of the proposed petroleum lease application is to allow the use of incidental coal seam gas for a purpose other than a use or activity under the Mineral Resources Act, section 318CN(2)(a) or (b), or 318CNA(2)(a) or (b).

Note—

See the Mineral Resources Act, section 318CN (Use that may be made under mining lease of incidental coal seam gas).
(3)However, this division does not apply if land is in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement that is a mineral (f) pilot tenure.

s 331 amd 2008 No. 33 s 121; 2010 No. 31 s 431; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2014 No. 47 s 589

332Right to apply for petroleum lease

(1)The person may apply for a petroleum lease for all or part of the land.
(2)The area of the proposed petroleum lease need not comply with section 168(4) to (7).

s 332 amd 2019 No. 17 s 309

333Requirements for making application

(1)The petroleum lease application must—
(a)comply with the requirements under section 118 for making an ATP-related application; and
(b)include—
(i)a CSG statement; and

Note—

See section 306 (Content requirements for CSG statement).
(ii)other information that addresses the CSG assessment criteria.
(2)The proposed initial development plan required under section 118 must, as well as complying with the initial development plan requirements, also comply with part 6, division 1.

s 333 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

334No calls for tenders after application made

A call for tenders for a petroleum lease can not be made for the land if the petroleum lease application has not been decided.

335Applications relating to exploration tenement and mining lease not held by same person

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a person to whom this division applies wishes to make an application to which this division applies for land in the area of each of the following—
(i)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement (the exploration tenement part);
(ii)a coal or oil shale mining lease (the mining lease part); and
(b)the exploration tenement and the mining lease are not held by the same person.

Note—

If the coal or oil shale exploration tenement and the coal or oil shale mining lease are held by the same person, see section 344(3).
(2)The person may make separate ATP-related applications for the exploration tenement part and the mining lease part.
(3)A separate application for the exploration tenement part, or the part of an application that relates to the exploration tenement part, must be decided under this division.
(4)A separate application for the mining lease part, or the part of an application that relates to the mining lease part, must be decided under part 3.

s 335 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 177; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2011 No. 20 s 190

336Applications relating to other land

(1)This section applies if a person to whom this division applies wishes to make an application to which this division applies and the proposed application includes land (the other part) not in the area of a coal or oil shale mining tenement.
(2)The person may make a separate ATP-related application for the other part.
(3)A separate application for the other part, or the part of an application that relates to the other part, must be decided under chapter 2.

s 336 amd 2007 No. 46 s 178; 2011 No. 20 s 191

337[Repealed]

s 337 om 2007 No. 46 s 179

338Priority for earlier mining lease application or proposed application

Division 1, subdivision 5, applies for the petroleum lease application.

339Priority for deciding earlier petroleum lease application

If, before the making of the petroleum lease application—
(a)someone else has applied for a petroleum lease for the whole or part of the proposed area of the petroleum lease; and
(b)the other application complies with section 305;

the Minister must decide the other application first unless the petroleum lease applicant agrees otherwise.

s 339 amd 2008 No. 56 s 92 sch

340Right to grant if particular requirements met

(1)This section applies subject to section 339.
(2)If the application is an ATP-related application, the Minister must grant the petroleum lease if—
(a)the applicant is an eligible person; and
(b)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder has consented to the grant; and
(c)the requirements for grant have been complied with.
(3)If the application is not an ATP-related application, the Minister must grant the petroleum lease if—
(a)the applicant is an eligible person; and
(b)either—
(i)the applicant has been granted a coal or oil shale mining lease over the proposed area of the petroleum lease; or
(ii)any preference decision required under the Mineral Resources Act for the coal or oil shale mining lease application has been made and, under section 271A of that Act, a decision has been made to grant the applicant a coal or oil shale mining lease for the land; and

Note—

For when a preference decision under the Mineral Resources Act is required, see section 318BA of that Act.
(c)the Minister is satisfied—
(i)the requirements for grant, other than the requirement under section 121(1)(c), have been complied with; and
(ii)the conditions of the coal or oil shale exploration tenement have been substantially complied with.

Note—

If the area of the petroleum lease includes overlapping ATP land, the authority holder’s written agreement is needed to carry out any authorised activity under the lease other than an activity related to incidental coal seam gas. See part 5, division 1.

s 340 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2009 No. 3 s 553; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

341Provisions of petroleum lease

(1)If the petroleum lease application is granted, section 123 applies as if the application were an ATP-related application.
(2)In deciding the provisions of the petroleum lease, the following matters must also be considered—
(a)the provisions recommended for the relevant mining lease;
(b)the development plan for the relevant mining lease;
(c)if the area of the petroleum lease will include land (overlapping ATP land) in the area of, or excluded land for, an authority to prospect or a 1923 Act ATP held by someone other than the petroleum lease holder—
(i)the legitimate business interests, rights and future development proposals of the authority to prospect holder; and
(ii)the likelihood of coordinated production of petroleum in relation to the overlapping ATP land being subject to an agreement under section 364(2).
(3)A relinquishment condition may be imposed.

Note—

See however section 368 (Cessation of relinquishment condition for area not overlapping with coal or oil shale exploration tenement).
(4)Subsection (3) does not limit any power under chapter 2 to impose conditions on the petroleum lease.

s 341 amd 2004 No. 26 s 131; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Division 3 Petroleum lease applications in response to Mineral Resources Act preference decision

342Additional ground for refusing application

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a petroleum lease application is made in response to an invitation given under the Mineral Resources Act, section 318BG; and
(b)the application is made within 6 months after the giving of the invitation.

Note—

If the application is not made within the 6 months, see the Mineral Resources Act, section 318BJ.
(2)The Minister may decide to refuse the application if satisfied the applicant has not, in a timely manner—
(a)taken any step in relation to the application required of the applicant under chapter 2 or this chapter; or
(b)satisfied the Minister about a matter that, under chapter 2 or this chapter, is required for the granting of the application.
(3)Subsection (2) does not limit another ground for refusing the application under chapter 2, this chapter or section 843A.

s 342 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

Part 3 Obtaining petroleum lease over land in area of coal or oil shale mining lease

ch 3 pt 3 hdg amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

Division 1 Exclusion of power to call for tenders

343Exclusion

The Minister can not make a call for tenders for a petroleum lease for—
(a)land in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease; or
(b)land that is the subject of an application for a coal or oil shale mining lease when the call for tenders is made.

s 343 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2019 No. 7 s 256

Division 2 Petroleum lease application other than by or jointly with coal or oil shale mining lease holder

ch 3 pt 3 div 2 hdg amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

344Application of div 2

(1)This division applies if a person wishes to make an application for a petroleum lease for all or part of land in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease.
(2)However, this division does not apply if—
(a)the person is the mining lease holder; or
(b)the application is to be made jointly with the holder; or
(c)the application relates to land in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement that is a mineral (f) pilot tenure.
(3)If—
(a)the land is also in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement; and
(b)the same person holds the mining lease and the exploration tenement;

a reference in this division to the mining lease holder includes a reference to the exploration tenement holder.

Note—

If the coal or oil shale mining lease and the coal or oil shale exploration tenement are held by different persons, see section 307.

s 344 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2010 No. 31 s 432; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

345Additional requirements for making application

(1)The petroleum lease application must—
(a)comply with the requirements under section 118 for making an ATP-related application; and
(b)include a CSG statement.

Note—

See section 306 (Content requirements for CSG statement).
(2)The proposed initial development plan required under section 118 must, as well as complying with the initial development plan requirements, also comply with part 6, division 1.

s 345 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

346Applications relating to other land

(1)This section applies if a person to whom this division applies wishes to make an application to which this division applies and the proposed application includes land (the other part) not in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease.
(2)The person may make a separate petroleum lease application for the other part.
(3)A separate application for the other part, or the part of an application that relates to the other part, must be decided under chapter 2.

s 346 sub 2007 No. 46 s 180

amd 2011 No. 20 s 192

347[Repealed]

s 347 om 2007 No. 46 s 181

348Notice to coal or oil shale mining lease holder

The applicant must, within 10 business days after making the application, give the coal or oil shale mining lease holder a copy of the application, other than any part of the application that relates to the capability criteria.

Note—

See also part 8 (Confidentiality of information).

s 348 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

349Coal mining lease holder’s or oil shale mining lease holder’s obligation to negotiate

(1)The coal or oil shale mining lease holder must, after receiving the copy of the application, make reasonable attempts to reach a coordination arrangement with the applicant about the following matters that provides the best resource use outcome without significantly affecting the parties’ rights or interests—
(a)petroleum production under the proposed petroleum lease;
(b)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas mining under the mining lease.

Note—

For the extent to which coal seam gas production is permitted under the coal or oil shale mining lease, see the Mineral Resources Act, chapter 8, part 8, division 1.
(2)However, the obligation under subsection (1) applies only to the extent that a coordination arrangement is commercially and technically feasible for the mining lease holder.

s 349 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 323 sch 3

350Additional requirements for grant

(1)The application may be granted only if—
(a)the applicant has negotiated, with the coal or oil shale mining lease holder, a proposed coordination arrangement (a relevant arrangement) about the following matters—
(i)petroleum production under the proposed petroleum lease;
(ii)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas under the mining lease; and
(b)the Minister has approved the relevant arrangement; and
(c)the applicant has made a safety management system for all operating plant on, or proposed to be on, the area of the proposed petroleum lease; and
(d)the mining lease holder has agreed to the safety management system and lodged a notice that the holder has agreed to the system.
(2)The Minister may decide to refuse the application if—
(a)the Minister is satisfied the applicant and the mining lease holder have, as required under section 349, made reasonable attempts to reach a relevant arrangement; and
(b)either—
(i)the mining lease holder has lodged a notice stating there are no reasonable prospects of a relevant arrangement being made; or
(ii)a relevant arrangement has not been lodged for approval by the Minister and the Minister considers the applicant and the mining lease holder have had a reasonable opportunity to make a relevant arrangement.

s 350 amd 2004 No. 26 ss 132, 69 (2) sch; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

Division 3 Petroleum lease application by or jointly with coal or oil shale mining lease holder

ch 3 pt 3 div 3 hdg amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

351Application of div 3

This division applies if a person as follows wishes to apply for a petroleum lease for all or part of the land in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease that is not a specific purpose mining lease—
(a)the coal or oil shale mining lease holder;
(b)a person who wishes to make the application jointly with the holder.

s 351 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

352Right to apply for petroleum lease

(1)The person may apply for a petroleum lease for all or part of the land.
(2)The area of the proposed petroleum lease need not comply with section 168(4) to (7).

s 352 amd 2019 No. 17 s 310

353Requirements for making application

(1)The petroleum lease application must—
(a)comply with the requirements under section 118 for making an ATP-related application; and
(b)include a CSG statement.

Note—

See section 306 (Content requirements for CSG statement).
(2)The proposed initial development plan required under section 118 must, as well as complying with the initial development plan requirements, also comply with part 6, division 1.

s 353 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

354Applications relating to other land

(1)This section applies if a person to whom this division applies wishes to make an application to which this division applies and the proposed application includes land (the other part) not in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease.
(2)The person may make a separate petroleum lease application for the other part.
(3)A separate application for the other part, or the part of an application that relates to the other part, must be decided under chapter 2.

s 354 sub 2007 No. 46 s 182

amd 2011 No. 20 s 193

355[Repealed]

s 355 om 2007 No. 46 s 183

356Right to grant if particular requirements met

The Minister must grant the petroleum lease if—
(a)the applicant is an eligible person; and
(b)the Minister is satisfied—
(i)the requirements for grant, other than the requirement under section 121(1)(c), have been complied with; and
(ii)the conditions of the coal or oil shale mining lease have been substantially complied with.

Note—

If the area of the petroleum lease includes overlapping ATP land, the authority holder’s written agreement is needed to carry out any authorised activity under the lease other than an activity related to incidental coal seam gas. See part 5, division 1.

s 356 amd 2004 No. 26 s 133

357Provisions of petroleum lease

(1)Section 123 applies to the granting of the lease as if the petroleum lease application were an ATP-related application.
(2)In deciding the provisions of the petroleum lease, the following matters must also be considered—
(a)the conditions of the relevant mining lease;
(b)the development plan for the relevant mining lease;
(c)if the area of the petroleum lease will include overlapping ATP land—
(i)the legitimate business interests, rights and future development proposals of the authority to prospect holder; and
(ii)the likelihood of coordinated production of petroleum in relation to the overlapping ATP land being subject to an agreement under section 364(2).
(3)A relinquishment condition may be imposed.

Note—

See however section 368 (Cessation of relinquishment condition for area not overlapping with coal or oil shale exploration tenement).
(4)Subsection (3) does not limit any power under chapter 2 to impose conditions on the petroleum lease.

s 357 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Part 4 Additional provisions for authorities to prospect and data acquisition authorities

Division 1 Grant of authority to prospect in area of coal or oil shale exploration tenement

358Provisions for authority to prospect

(1)The Mineral Resources Act does not limit or otherwise affect the power under this Act to grant an authority to prospect over land (the overlapping land) in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement.
(2)However, an authorised activity for the authority to prospect can not be carried out on the overlapping land if—
(a)carrying it out adversely affects the carrying out of an authorised activity for the coal or oil shale exploration tenement; and
(b)the authorised activity for the coal or oil shale exploration tenement has already started.

Division 2 Restriction on authorised activities on coal mining lease or oil shale mining lease land

359Application of div 2

This division applies if land in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease is—
(a)in the area of an authority to prospect; or
(b)subject to a data acquisition authority.

s 359 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

360Restriction

(1)An authorised activity for the authority may be carried out on the land only if—
(a)the mining lease holder has agreed in writing to the carrying out of the activity and to the safety management system of the authority holder; and
(b)a copy of the agreement has been lodged; and
(c)the agreement is still in force.

Note—

See also the Mineral Resources Act, section 403 (Offences regarding land subject to mining claim or mining lease).
(2)Subsection (1) does not apply, or ceases to apply, if the same person holds the authority and the mining lease.

s 360 amd 2004 No. 26 s 134; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

Division 3 Exceptions to particular area provisions

ch 3 pt 4 div 3 hdg sub 2004 No. 26 s 135

361Exceptions

Section 98(4) and 101 do not apply for an authority to prospect if the petroleum lease is granted under part 2, division 2 or part 3, division 3.

s 361 sub 2004 No. 26 s 135

Division 4 Conditions

362Notice to coal or oil shale exploration tenement holders and applicants

(1)This section applies if, when an authority to prospect is granted, land in the area of the authority is in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement or a proposed area under a coal or oil shale exploration tenement application.
(2)It is a condition of the authority that its holder must, within 20 business days after the holder receives notice of the grant, give the tenement holder or the applicant notice stating—
(a)that the authority has been granted; and
(b)the authority holder’s name; and
(c)the term of the authority.

363Compliance with obligations under Mineral Resources Act

If an obligation under the Mineral Resources Act, section 318AW or 318DB, applies to an authority to prospect holder, it is a condition of the authority that the holder must comply with the obligation.

Part 4A Additional provisions if overlapping mineral (f) pilot tenure

ch 3 pt 4A hdg ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

Division 1 Preliminary

ch 3 pt 4A div 1 hdg ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363ADefinitions for pt 4A

In this part—
MDLA 407 see section 363B(2).
mineral (f) pilot tenure see section 363B(1).
mineral (f) production tenure, for overlapping mineral (f) land, means a tenure that authorises the production of mineral (f) for the land.
mineral (f) tenure means a mineral (f) pilot tenure or a mineral (f) production tenure.
overlapping mineral (f) land see section 363B(1).

s 363A ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363BApplication of pt 4A

(1)This part applies to land (overlapping mineral (f) land) in the area of—
(a)mineral development licence 309, 374 or 385 (a mineral (f) pilot tenure); or
(b)any mineral (f) production tenure granted for land in the area of a mineral development licence mentioned in paragraph (a).
(2)This part also applies to land the subject of mineral development licence application 407 (MDLA 407).

s 363B ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363CRelationship with other provisions

(1)This part applies despite—
(a)other provisions of this chapter or the Mineral Resources Act; and
(b)the conditions or other provisions of an authority to prospect.
(2)If this part conflicts with another provision of this chapter or the Mineral Resources Act, this part prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

s 363C ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

Division 2 General suspension

ch 3 pt 4A div 2 hdg ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363DSuspension of authorised activities for authority to prospect

(1)This section applies to an authorised activity for an authority to prospect in the area of overlapping mineral (f) land.
(2)Subject to subsection (3) and section 363E, any right to carry out the activity on the overlapping mineral (f) land is suspended.
(3)During the suspension, the authority holder may carry out an authorised activity for the authority on the overlapping mineral (f) land only if—
(a)the mineral (f) tenure holder for the land has agreed in writing to the carrying out of the activity; and
(b)a copy of the agreement has been lodged; and
(c)the agreement is still in force.
(4)The suspension continues until the mineral (f) tenure ends.

s 363D ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

363EEntry rights for particular activities during suspension

(1)An authority to prospect holder to whom section 363D applies may, without an agreement mentioned in that section, enter the overlapping mineral (f) land to—
(a)carry out rehabilitation or environmental management required of the holder under any relevant environmental requirement under the Environmental Protection Act; or
(b)carry out low impact environmental monitoring; or

Examples—

the monitoring of air, ecology, fauna, hydrology, soil or water
(c)move, remove or maintain equipment, machinery or plant; or
(d)carry out improvement restoration for the authority to prospect; or
(e)carry out care and maintenance of disturbed areas; or
(f)carry out low impact track construction or maintenance; or
(g)use or maintain infrastructure put in place on the land before the commencement of this section; or
(h)put in place or maintain infrastructure for a purpose, or to do an activity, mentioned in paragraphs (d) to (g); or
(i)construct pipelines for transporting water in the area of mineral development licence 374 for infrastructure mentioned in paragraph (g), if—
(i)the construction is an authorised activity for the authority to prospect; and
(ii)the mineral (f) tenure holder for the land has agreed in writing to the location of the pipelines; and
(iii)a copy of the agreement has been lodged; and
(iv)the agreement is still in force.
(2)Subsection (1) is subject to section 363F.
(3)The authority holder’s rights and obligations under the rest of this Act continue to apply for an entry and the carrying out of an activity authorised under subsection (1).
(4)In this section—
improvement restoration, for an authority to prospect, means the repair of any damage caused by an activity under the authority to all pre-existing improvements on, or attached to, the land subject to the authority by—
(a)restoring them to the same, or substantially the same, condition they were in before the damage happened; or
(b)replacing them with another improvement in the condition mentioned in paragraph (a).
rest of this Act means the provisions of this Act other than this part.

s 363E ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

363FNotice of entry under s 363E

Before entering land under section 363E(1), an authority to prospect holder must, at least 10 business days before the entry, give the mineral (f) tenure holder for the land a notice stating the following—
(a)the area of the overlapping mineral (f) land proposed to be entered;
(b)the period during which the land will be entered (the entry period);
(c)the activities proposed to be carried out on the land under section 363E(1);
(d)when and where the activities are proposed to be carried out.

s 363F ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363GMinisterial power to suspend authority to prospect requirements

(1)This section applies if the Minister is satisfied that, because of section 363D, the holder of an authority to prospect is not able to, or will not be able to, carry out all or any authorised activities for the authority.
(2)The Minister may, by giving notice to the authority holder, decide to suspend or limit any of the performance requirements for the authority to prospect, for all or part of the term of the authority.
(3)During the suspension or limitation, the obligation does not apply to the extent of the suspension or limitation.
(4)In this section—
performance requirement means an obligation under this Act or a condition of an authority to prospect, and includes an obligation about relinquishment.

s 363G ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

Division 3 Resolving disputes

ch 3 pt 4A div 3 hdg ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363HNegotiation and request to Minister

(1)This section applies if there is a dispute about any of the following—
(a)a right to carry out an authorised activity under section 363D;
(b)a right to enter overlapping mineral (f) land under section 363E;
(c)any request made by a mineral (f) tenure holder to an authority to prospect holder to remove or modify infrastructure on overlapping mineral (f) land, if the infrastructure was put in place on the land under—
(i)an agreement entered into under section 363D(3); or
(ii)section 363E(1).
(2)The parties must use all reasonable endeavours to attempt to resolve the dispute.
(3)After complying with subsection (2), either of the parties may, by a notice in the approved form, ask the Minister to decide whether the entry is allowed or the activity may be carried out.
(4)Before making a decision, the Minister must give the parties an opportunity to make submissions about the request within a reasonable period.

Note—

For other relevant provisions about making a submission, see section 851AA.
(5)Also before making the decision, the Minister may refer the dispute under section 363I to the Land Court for it to make recommendations about deciding the dispute.

s 363H ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

363IReference to Land Court

(1)A referral by the Minister under section 363H(5) must be made by filing a notice in the approved form with the registrar of the Land Court.
(2)The referral starts a proceeding before the Land Court for it to make the recommendations.
(3)The parties to the proceeding are the mineral (f) tenure holder and the authority to prospect holder for the overlapping mineral (f) land to which the dispute relates.

s 363I ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363JDecision by Minister

(1)The Minister must, after considering the following, decide the matter and give the parties notice of the decision—
(a)any submissions made by the parties under section 363H(4);
(b)any recommendations by the Land Court.
(2)In making a decision, the Minister may also consider the public interest.
(3)The Minister’s decision binds the parties.
(4)The Minister may impose conditions on any decision that the entry is allowed or the authorised activity may be carried out.

s 363J ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

Division 4 Obtaining petroleum lease if overlapping mineral (f) land or land in area of MDLA 407

ch 3 pt 4A div 4 hdg ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363KAdditional provision about area of petroleum lease

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a person who, under section 117, may make an ATP-related application for land that includes any of the following makes that application—
(i)land that is overlapping mineral (f) land;
(ii)land in the area of MDLA 407; and
(b)the Minister decides to grant the petroleum lease.
(2)Without limiting section 168, the area of the petroleum lease can not include—
(a)the land that is overlapping mineral (f) land; or
(b)land in the area of MDLA 407.
(3)The Minister may, in the lease, describe the exclusion of the land under subsection (2) in a way the Minister considers appropriate.

s 363K ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

363LMinister may add land to petroleum lease if mineral (f) tenure ends

(1)This section applies if—
(a)land is not included in a petroleum lease because of section 363K(2); and
(b)if the land is—
(i)overlapping mineral (f) land—the mineral (f) tenure for the land ends; and
(ii)in the area of MDLA 407—
(A)the mineral (f) pilot tenure for mineral development licence 309 ends; and
(B)a mineral (f) production tenure has not been granted for land in the mineral development licence’s area.
(2)The Minister may amend the petroleum lease by adding the land to the lease area if—
(a)the lease as amended complies with section 168; and
(b)the lease holder consents.
(3)The Minister may amend the provisions of the lease in a way that reflects the inclusion of the land.
(4)Also, the Minister may give the lease holder a notice—
(a)withdrawing, from a stated day, the approval of the development plan for the lease; and
(b)directing the holder to lodge a proposed later development plan for the lease that—
(i)complies with the later development plan requirements; and
(ii)changes the development plan for the lease to reflect the inclusion of the land.
(5)The amended provisions of the lease or the proposed later development plan must not be—
(a)inconsistent with the mandatory conditions of petroleum leases; or
(b)the same as, or substantially the same as, or inconsistent with, any relevant environmental condition for the lease.

s 363L ins 2010 No. 31 s 433

amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

Part 5 Additional provisions for petroleum leases

Division 1 Restriction on authorised activities for particular petroleum leases

364Restriction on authorised activities on overlapping ATP land

(1)This section applies if—
(a)the area of a petroleum lease includes overlapping ATP land; and

Note—

Overlapping ATP land includes land in the area of the lease that is excluded land for the authority to prospect. See sections 341(2)(c) and 357(2)(c).
(b)the petroleum lease was, under section 340 or 356, granted to someone other than the relevant authority to prospect holder.
(2)The petroleum lease holder may carry out an authorised activity for the petroleum lease on the overlapping ATP land only if—
(a)the authority to prospect holder has agreed in writing to the carrying out of the activity and—
(i)a copy of the agreement has been lodged; and
(ii)the agreement is still in force; or
(b)the activity relates to incidental coal seam gas mined or to be mined within the mine working envelope.

Note—

See also section 934 (Substituted restriction for petroleum leases relating to mineral hydrocarbon mining leases).
(3)In this section—
mine working envelope means land that—
(a)is in the area of a coal mining lease or an oil shale mining lease the area of which includes the overlapping ATP land; and
(b)covers any of the following or is needed for post-production activities—
(i)past mine workings;
(ii)current mine workings;
(iii)mine workings scheduled to be mined within the next 5 years;
(iv)authorised activities for the mining lease associated with the processing, transportation, storage and use of the incidental coal seam gas produced.

s 364 amd 2004 No. 26 s 136; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

Division 2 Conditions

365Continuing requirement for coordination arrangement for particular petroleum leases

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a petroleum lease is granted over land in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease and the application for the petroleum lease was not made by or jointly with the mining lease holder; or
(b)a petroleum lease holder is a party to a coordination arrangement mentioned in section 379.
(2)It is a condition of the petroleum lease that—
(a)its holder must continue to be party to a relevant coordination arrangement; and
(b)authorised activities for the petroleum lease must not be carried out if there is no relevant coordination arrangement.

Note—

For subleases under a coordination arrangement, see section 238.
(3)In this section—
relevant coordination arrangement means a coordination arrangement with the mining lease holder about—
(a)petroleum production under the petroleum lease; and
(b)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas mining under the mining lease.

s 365 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

366Compliance with obligation to negotiate with coal or oil shale mining lease applicant

If the obligation under the Mineral Resources Act, section 318CA, applies to a petroleum lease holder, it is a condition of the lease that the holder must comply with the obligation.

367Requirement for giving of copy of relinquishment report

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a petroleum lease holder has, under section 545, given a report about a relinquishment of part of the area of the lease; and
(b)immediately before the relinquishment, the part included land in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement.
(2)The petroleum lease holder must give a copy of the report to—
(a)the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder; and
(b)anyone else who has applied for a mining lease for the part.

Maximum penalty—150 penalty units.

s 367 amd 2004 No. 26 s 137

368Cessation of relinquishment condition for area not overlapping with coal or oil shale exploration tenement

If—
(a)a petroleum lease contains a relinquishment condition; and
(b)all or part of the area of the lease ceases to be in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement (the relevant land);

the condition ceases to apply for the relevant land.

Division 3 Amendment of relinquishment condition by application

Subdivision 1 Preliminary

369Application of div 3

This division applies if a petroleum lease contains a relinquishment condition and all or part of the area of the lease is in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement.

Subdivision 2 Making application to amend relinquishment condition

370Conditions for applying to amend

(1)The petroleum lease holder may apply for the Minister to amend the condition if the applicant has, before making the application—
(a)made reasonable attempts to consult with the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder about—
(i)the proposed amendment; and
(ii)a proposed later development plan for the lease; and
(b)changed the proposed amendment and the proposed later development plan to give effect to any reasonable proposal by the tenement holder that will optimise—
(i)petroleum production under the amended petroleum lease; and
(ii)coal, oil shale or incidental coal seam gas mining under any future mining lease over the land.
(2)However, subsection (1)(b) applies only to the extent the provisions are commercially and technically feasible for the applicant.

371Obligation of coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder to negotiate

The coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder must, if asked by the petroleum lease holder, make reasonable attempts to reach an agreement with the petroleum lease holder about the matters mentioned in section 370(1)(b) that provides the best resource use outcome without significantly affecting the parties’ rights or interests.

Note—

See also part 8 (Confidentiality of information).

s 371 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

372Requirements for making application

(1)The application must—
(a)be in the approved form; and
(b)state whether or not the development plan for the petroleum lease has been complied with; and
(c)if the development plan for the lease has not been complied with—state details of, and the reasons for, each noncompliance; and
(d)include a CSG statement; and
(e)include a proposed later development plan for the lease as amended under section 370; and
(f)include a statement about each of the following—
(i)the details of the consultation carried out under section 370(1)(a);
(ii)the results of the consultation;
(iii)whether the proposed development plan includes all provisions proposed by the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder under section 370(1)(b);
(iv)if the proposed development plan does not include a provision proposed by the tenement holder—why it was not included;
(v)the applicant’s assessment of the potential for the applicant and the tenement holder to make a coordination arrangement about—
(A)petroleum production under the amended petroleum lease; and
(B)coal, oil shale or incidental coal seam gas mining under any future mining lease over the land that may be granted to the tenement holder; and
(g)be accompanied by the fee prescribed under a regulation.
(2)However, the CSG statement need not include a proposed safety management system.

s 372 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2; 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

373Notice of application

The applicant must immediately after making the application give the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder a copy of the application.

Subdivision 3 Deciding amendment application

374Submissions by coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder

(1)The coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder may lodge submissions about the application.
(2)However, the submissions may be lodged only within 20 business days after the holder is, under section 373, given a copy of the application.
(3)The submissions may include—
(a)information about all or any of the following—
(i)exploration carried out under the tenement;
(ii)the results of the exploration;
(iii)the prospects for future coal or oil shale mining or incidental coal seam gas mining from the land; or
(b)a proposal by the tenement holder for the development of coal or oil shale in the land; or
(c)information relevant to the CSG assessment criteria.
(4)The holder must give the applicant a copy of the submissions.
(5)In deciding the application, regard must be had to the submissions.

s 374 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

375Minister may require further negotiation

(1)The Minister may, by notice, require the applicant to conduct negotiations with the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder with a view to making changes of a type mentioned in section 370(1)(b).
(2)The applicant must use all reasonable attempts to comply with the requirement.
(3)If the Minister is reasonably satisfied the applicant has not complied with the requirement the Minister may decide to refuse the application.

376Deciding amendment application

(1)Before deciding to grant the application, the Minister must decide whether to approve the applicant’s proposed later development plan for the petroleum lease.
(2)The application can not be granted unless the proposed plan has been approved.
(3)Chapter 2, part 2, division 4 applies for deciding whether to approve the proposed plan.

Note—

See also part 6, division 2 (Later development plans).
(4)The matters that must be considered in deciding the application include each of the following—
(a)the CSG assessment criteria;
(b)whether the applicant has taken all reasonable steps to comply with the relinquishment condition;
(c)the effect of any approval of later development plans for the petroleum lease;
(d)any submissions under section 374 lodged within the period mentioned in section 374(2).
(5)After the application has been decided, the applicant and the coal or oil shale exploration tenement holder must be given notice of the decision.

s 376 amd 2004 No. 26 s 138; 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Division 4 Restriction on amendment of other conditions

377Interests of relevant coal or oil shale mining tenement holder to be considered

A condition of a petroleum lease must not be amended under section 848 unless the interests of any relevant coal or oil shale mining tenement holder have been considered.

Division 5 Renewals

378Applied provisions for making and deciding renewal application

(1)The adopted provisions apply for a renewal application for a petroleum lease—
(a)as if the petroleum lease holder had lodged a proposed later development plan for the Minister to approve; and
(b)as if a reference in the adopted provisions—
(i)to the application were a reference to the renewal application; and
(ii)to a petroleum lease were a reference to the renewed petroleum lease; and
(iii)to a proposed initial development plan, an initial development plan, a proposed development plan or a development plan were a reference to a proposed later development plan or a later development plan; and
(iv)in section 314(5), to the ATP-related application were a reference to the conditions of the renewed lease.
(2)In this section—
adopted provisions means—
(a)if all or part of the land in the area of the petroleum lease is in the area of a coal or oil shale exploration tenement—part 2, division 1, subdivisions 2 and 4; or
(b)if all or part of the land in the area of the petroleum lease is in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease and the coal or oil shale mining lease holder is not a holder of the petroleum lease—part 3, division 2 (other than section 346); or
(c)if all or part of the land in the area of the petroleum lease is in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease and the coal or oil shale mining lease holder holds the petroleum lease—part 3, division 3 (other than section 354).

s 378 amd 2005 No. 3 ss 69, 105 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 125 sch 1

Division 6 Restrictions on particular transfers

379Requirement for coordination arrangement to transfer petroleum lease in tenure area of mining lease

(1)This section applies, despite the Common Provisions Act, chapter 2, part 1, if land is in the area of a petroleum lease and a coal or oil shale mining lease.
(2)A transfer of the petroleum lease must not be approved as a prescribed dealing under the Common Provisions Act, section 19, or registered as a notifiable dealing under the Common Provisions Act, section 19B, unless the proposed transferee and the mining lease holder are—
(a)the same entity; or
(b)parties to a coordination arrangement about—
(i)petroleum production under the petroleum lease; and
(ii)coal or oil shale mining and any incidental coal seam gas mining under the mining lease.

s 379 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch; 2014 No. 47 s 542; 2020 No. 14 ss 191, 218 sch 1

Part 6 Additional provisions for development plans

Division 1 Initial development plans

ch 3 pt 6 div 1 hdg sub 2004 No. 26 s 139

Subdivision 1 Additional requirements for proposed initial development plan

ch 3 pt 6 div 1 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2004 No. 26 s 139

380Operation of sdiv 1

This subdivision provides for additional requirements for a proposed initial development plan for a petroleum lease applied for under chapter 2 or this chapter.

s 380 amd 2004 No. 26 s 140; 2011 No. 2 s 121

381Statement about interests of coal or oil shale mining tenement holder

The proposed plan must include a statement of how the effects on, and the interests of, any relevant overlapping or adjacent coal or oil shale mining tenement holder have, or have not, been considered, having regard to—
(a)the main purposes of this chapter; and
(b)the CSG assessment criteria.

s 381 amd 2004 No. 26 s 141; 2011 No. 2 s 121

382Requirement to optimise petroleum production

(1)The activities provided for under the proposed plan must seek to optimise petroleum production in a safe and efficient way.
(2)However, the activities must not adversely affect the future safe and efficient mining of coal where it is commercially and technically feasible not to do so.

s 382 amd 2004 No. 26 s 142

383Consistency with coal or oil shale mining lease development plan and relevant coordination arrangement

If all or part of the area of the proposed petroleum lease is in the area of a coal or oil shale mining lease (the relevant land), the proposed plan must, to the extent it applies to the relevant land, be consistent with—
(a)the development plan for the mining lease; and
(b)any coordination arrangement relating to the relevant land.

s 383 amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

Subdivision 2 Other additional provisions

ch 3 pt 6 div 1 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2004 No. 26 s 143

383AApplication of sdiv 2

This subdivision applies if—
(a)the Minister is considering whether to approve a proposed initial development plan for a proposed petroleum lease; and
(b)the area of the proposed lease includes all or part of the area of a coal or oil shale mining tenement.

s 383A ins 2004 No. 26 s 143

amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

383BAdditional criteria for approval

The matters that must be considered include the CSG assessment criteria.

s 383B ins 2004 No. 26 s 143

amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

383CRestriction on approval

The proposed plan can not be approved unless the applicant for the proposed lease has complied with the obligations under section 310(1)(b).

s 383C ins 2004 No. 26 s 143

amd 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

Division 2 Later development plans

ch 3 pt 6 div 2 hdg sub 2004 No. 26 s 144

Subdivision 1 Additional requirements for proposed later development plans

ch 3 pt 6 div 2 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2004 No. 26 s 144

383DAdditional requirements under div 1, sdiv 1 apply

A proposed later development plan for a petroleum lease must comply with the additional requirements under sections 381 to 383 for a proposed initial development plan for a petroleum lease.

s 383D ins 2004 No. 26 s 144

Subdivision 2 Other additional provisions

ch 3 pt 6 div 2 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2004 No. 26 s 144

384Additional criteria

(1)This section applies if—
(a)the Minister is considering whether to approve a proposed later development plan for a petroleum lease; and
(b)the area of the petroleum lease includes all or part of the area of a coal mining tenement or oil shale mining tenement.
(2)The matters that must be considered also include—
(a)the CSG assessment criteria; and
(b)the effect of any approval of the proposed plan on any relinquishment condition for the lease.

Note—

See also section 148 (Power to require relinquishment).

s 384 amd 2011 No. 2 ss 121, 122 sch

Part 7 Additional provisions for safety management system

ch 3 pt 7 hdg amd 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

385Grant of petroleum lease does not affect obligation to make safety management system

(1)This section applies if a CSG statement accompanies an application for a petroleum lease, as required under this chapter.
(2)The deciding of the application or the grant of the lease—
(a)does not affect the obligation under section 674 to make a safety management system for any operating plant in the area of the lease; and
(b)is not, of itself, evidence that a safety management system, or purported safety management system, for an operating plant on the area of the petroleum lease complies with section 675 or 705C.

s 385 amd 2014 No. 64 s 256 sch 3

386Requirement for joint interaction management plan

(1)This section applies if—
(a)a person (the operator) proposes to be an operator of operating plant in the area of a petroleum tenure; and
(b)activities carried out, or proposed to be carried out, at the plant may adversely affect the safe mining of coal in the area of a coal or oil shale mining tenement.
(2)Chapter 9, part 4, division 5, subdivision 1 applies to the operator as if—
(a)a reference in the provisions to the operator of an authorised activities operating plant were a reference to the operator mentioned in subsection (1)(a); and
(b)a reference in the provisions to the overlapping area were a reference to the area of the coal or oil shale mining tenement mentioned in subsection (1)(b); and
(c)a reference in the provisions to the site senior executive were a reference to the site senior executive for the coal or oil shale mining tenement mentioned in subsection (1)(b).

s 386 sub 2004 No. 26 s 145

amd 2005 No. 3 s 70; 2005 No. 68 s 150 sch; 2007 No. 46 s 184; 2011 No. 2 ss 105, 121, 122 sch; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

sub 2014 No. 64 s 219

387[Repealed]

s 387 amd 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

om 2014 No. 64 s 219

388[Repealed]

s 388 amd 2004 No. 26 s 146; 2005 No. 3 s 105 sch

om 2014 No. 64 s 219

389[Repealed]

s 389 amd 2004 No. 26 s 147; 2007 No. 46 s 185; 2011 No. 2 s 121; 2012 No. 20 s 281 sch 2

om 2014 No. 64 s 219

Part 8 Confidentiality of information

390Application of pt 8

(1)This part applies if a tenure holder or a person who has applied for a tenure (the information-giver) gives another tenure holder or a person who has applied for a tenure (the recipient) information—
(a)that this chapter requires the information-giver to give the recipient, including, for example, information given to comply with section 313(a); or
(b)for the purposes of this chapter.
(2)However, this part applies subject to any agreement between the information-giver and the recipient about the information or its use.
(3)In this section—
information means information given verbally or in writing.
tenure means a petroleum tenure or a coal or oil shale mining tenement.

391Confidentiality obligations

(1)The recipient must not disclose the information to anyone else, unless—
(a)the information is publicly available; or
(b)the disclosure is—
(i)to someone whom the recipient has authorised to carry out the authorised activities for the recipient’s petroleum tenure or coal or oil shale mining tenement; or
(ii)made with the information-giver’s consent; or
(iii)expressly permitted or required under this or another Act; or
(iv)to the Minister.
(2)The recipient may use the information only for the purpose for which it is given.

s 391 amd 2004 No. 26 s 148

392Civil remedies

If the recipient does not comply with section 391, a court of competent jurisdiction may order the recipient to pay the information-giver all or any of the following—
(a)compensation for any loss the information-giver incurred because of the failure to comply with the section;
(b)the amount of any commercial gain the recipient made because of the failure to comply with the section.

Chapter 3A Provisions for geothermal tenures and GHG authorities

ch 3A hdg ins 2009 No. 3 s 554

sub 2010 No. 31 s 549