Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2024C00828:section:173:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2024C00828
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 173 (pt 1/3)
Character Range: 433654–436475

173  Refusal to grant petroleum production licence

Scope
 (1) This section applies if an application for the grant of a petroleum production licence has been made under:
 (a) section 168 or 170; or
 (b) clause 2 or 4 of Schedule 4.
Note 1: Section 168 and clause 2 of Schedule 4 deal with applications by permittees.
Note 2: Section 170 and clause 4 of Schedule 4 deal with applications by lessees.

No block contains petroleum
 (2) If:
 (a) the application specifies one block; and
 (b) the Joint Authority is not satisfied that the block contains petroleum;
the Joint Authority must, by written notice given to the applicant, refuse to grant a petroleum production licence to the applicant.
 (3) If:
 (a) the application specifies 2 or more blocks; and
 (b) the Joint Authority is not satisfied that any of the blocks contains petroleum;
the Joint Authority must, by written notice given to the applicant, refuse to grant a petroleum production licence to the applicant.

Some, but not all, blocks contain petroleum
 (4) If:
 (a) the application specifies 2 or more blocks; and
 (b) the Joint Authority is satisfied that:
 (i) only one of the blocks contains petroleum; or
 (ii) some, but not all, of the blocks contain petroleum;
the Joint Authority must, by written notice given to the applicant, refuse to grant a petroleum production licence to the applicant in relation to the remaining block or blocks.
Note: The petroleum exploration permit or petroleum retention lease remains in force in relation to the remaining block or blocks.

Technical advice and financial resources
 (4A) If the Joint Authority is not satisfied as to the matter in paragraph 171(1)(ba), the Joint Authority must, by written notice given to the applicant, refuse to grant a petroleum production licence to the applicant.

Application for Greater Sunrise unit reservoir petroleum production licence—no approval by Timorese Designated Authority
 (5) If:
 (a) the application is for a Greater Sunrise unit reservoir petroleum production licence; and
 (b) the Joint Authority is not satisfied that the Timorese Designated Authority has given the approvals mentioned in paragraph 172(c);
the Joint Authority must, by written notice given to the applicant, refuse to grant the licence to the applicant.

Impact on greenhouse gas titles
 (6) If:
 (a) (assuming that the applicant were granted a petroleum production licence over the block or blocks as to which the Joint Authority is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph 171(1)(b)) the petroleum production licence would be a post‑commencement petroleum production licence; and
 (b) either:
 (i) the Joint Authority is satisfied that there is a significant risk that any of the operations that could be carried on under the petroleum production licence will have a significant adverse impact on