Northern Territory Consolidated Acts

PETROLEUM ACT 1984

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART I--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Objective  
   4.      Application  
   5.      Interpretation  
   5A.     Meaning of reporting period  
   6.      Petroleum property of Crown  
   6AA.    Application of Criminal Code  

   PART IA--PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

   6A.     Principles of ecologically sustainable development  

   PART II--EXPLORING AND MINING FOR PETROLEUM

           Division 1--Preliminary

   8.      Graticulation of earth's surface  
   9.      Reservation of blocks  
   10.     Dealings in reserved blocks  
   11.     Land subject of exploration permit or licence  
   12.     Grant of mining interest  
   13.     No negotiations without Minister's consent  
   14.     Applicant for licence to hold exploration permit  
   15.     Environmental consideration relating to certain parks and reserves  
   15A.    Appropriate person to hold permit or licence  

           Division 2--Exploration permits for petroleum

   16.     Release of blocks and application for exploration permit  
   16A.    Determination of release of blocks  
   17.     More than one application for same block or blocks  
   18.     Notice of application for exploration permit  
   19.     Objections  
   20.     Determination of application for exploration permit  
   21C.    No grant of exploration permit for area if permit etc. already granted  
   22.     Term of exploration permit  
   23.     Application for renewal of exploration permit  
   25.     Grant or refusal of renewal of exploration permit  
   25A.    Requirement to reduce exploration permit area  
   26.     Annual fee  
   27.     Conditions of exploration permit  
   28.     Variation of condition of exploration permit  
   29.     Rights conferred by exploration permit  
   30.     Notice to apply for production licence  

           Division 3--Retention licences

   31.     Entitlement to apply for retention licence  
   32.     Application for retention licence  
   33.     Size of retention licence area  
   34.     Grant or refusal of retention licence  
   35.     Exploration permit not affected  
   36.     Term of retention licence  
   37.     Application for renewal of retention licence  
   38.     Grant or refusal of renewal of retention licence  
   39.     Annual fee  
   40.     Conditions of retention licence  
   41.     Variation of condition of retention licence  
   42.     Rights conferred by retention licence  
   43.     Notice to apply for production licence  

           Division 4--Production licences

   44.     Applicant  
   45.     Application for production licence  
   46.     Size of production licence  
   47.     Grant of production licence  
   48.     Refusal to grant production licence  
   49.     Exploration permit or licence not affected  
   50.     Term of production licence  
   51.     Application for renewal of production licence  
   52.     Grant or refusal of renewal of production licence  
   53.     Annual fee  
   54.     Conditions of production licence  
   55.     Variation of condition of production licence  
   56.     Rights conferred by production licence  
   57.     Declaration of restricted area  

           Division 5--Access authorities

   57A.    Access authorities  
   57AA.   Report on operations under access authority  

           Division 5A--Common and related provisions

   57AAA.  Recovery of petroleum on appraisal basis  
   57AAB.  Transfer of interest in application for petroleum interest  
   57AAC.  Grant relating to Aboriginal land or native title land  
   57AAD.  Ability of Minister to vary conditions of petroleum interest  
   57AAE.  Insurance  

           Division 6--Review of determinations

              Subdivision 1--Judicial review

   57ABA.  Judicial review of decision or determination  

              Subdivision 2--Review by Tribunal

   57AB.   Review by Tribunal  

   PART III--GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO PETROLEUM INTERESTS

           Division 1--Rights and duties of permittee or licensee

              Subdivision 1--Conditions

   58.     General conditions  

              Subdivision 2--Resource management, activity and infrastructure plans

   59.     Definitions  
   60.     Types of plans  
   61.     Application for approval  
   61A.    Approval  
   61B.    Review of plan  
   61C.    Variation of conditions  
   61D.    Transfer of permit or licence  
   61E.    Offences relating to plans  
   61F.    Specific duty relating to well and surface infrastructure integrity  
   61G.    Specific provision for rate of recovery  

              Subdivision 3--Reports and samples

   61H.    Annual reports  
   61J.    Survey and other reports  
   61K.    Well completion reports  
   61L.    Samples  
   62.     Project reports  

              Subdivision 4--Management of information

   62A.    Release of information by Minister  

              Subdivision 5--Other requirements and related provisions

   63.     Payment of first year's annual fee in respect of exploration permit or licence  
   64.     Discovery to be notified  
   65.     Access  
   66.     Exploration permit held by 2 or more persons  
   68.     Fencing  
   69.     Unit development  
   69A.    Ability to waive, suspend or reduce annual fee or levy  

           Division 2--Actions by Minister

   70.     Gazettal of instruments  
   71.     Directions by Minister  
   72.     Compliance with direction  

           Division 3--Surrender, cancellation, &c.

   73.     Surrender  
   74.     Cancellation  
   75.     Report on ceasing to hold exploration permit or licence area  
   77.     Removal of property on surrender, expiry or cancellation  
   78.     Sale of property  

           Division 4--Compensation

   81.     Compensation to owners  
   82.     Compensation for right of access  
   82A.    Jurisdiction of Tribunal for disputes  
   82B.    Tribunal not to review decision  

              Subdivision 1--Appointment of inspectors

   87.     Appointment  
   88.     Identity card  
   89.     Return of identity card  

              Subdivision 2--Functions and general powers

   89A.    Functions  
   89B.    General powers of inspectors  
   89C.    Duty of inspector in relation to seized thing  
   89D.    Forfeiture of seized thing  
   89E.    Offence to contravene requirement  
   89F.    Obstruction of inspector  
   89G.    Self-incrimination  
   89H.    Entry on Aboriginal land  

              Subdivision 3--Search warrants

   89J.    Search warrants  
   89K.    Announcement before entry and provision of authority  

              Subdivision 4--Directions by inspectors

   89L.    Directions by inspectors  
   89M.    Offence to contravene direction  
   89N.    Compliance directions  
   89P.    Effect of compliance direction on need for further authorisation  
   89Q.    Offence to contravene direction  
   89R.    Stop work notices  
   89S.    Offence to contravene stop work notice  
   89T.    Preliminary matters  
   89U.    Nature of audit  
   89V.    Accreditation and regulation of auditors  
   89W.    Audit directions  
   89X.    Declarations  
   89Y.    Self-incriminatory information  
   89Z.    Offences relating to audits  
   89ZA.   Retention and production of information  

   PART IV--REGISTRATION OF INSTRUMENTS

   90.     Registrar and Register of instruments  
   91.     Particulars to be entered in Register  
   91A.    Application of Law of Property Act 2000  
   92.     Memorials to be entered of exploration permits etc. cancelled etc.  
   93.     Approval of transfers  
   93A.    Registration of transfers  
   94.     Entries in Register on devolution of title  
   95.     Interests not to be created, &c., except by instruments in writing  
   96.     Approval of instruments relating to interests  
   97.     Minister not concerned with certain matters  
   98.     Power of Minister to require information as to proposed dealings  
   99.     Production and inspection of documents  
   100.    Inspection of Register and documents  
   101.    Rectification of Register  
   102.    Evidentiary provisions  
   103.    Applications in relation to Register  
   104.    Registrar not liable to certain actions  

   PART IVA--CHANGE IN CONTROL OF CORPORATION HOLDING PERMIT OR LICENCE

   104A.   Definitions  
   104B.   Meaning of change in control  
   104C.   Meaning of related  
   104D.   Acquisition of interest in shares  
   104E.   Approval of change in control  
   104F.   Offence to fail to apply for approval  

   PART V--OFFENCES AND RELATED PROVISIONS

           Division 1--General

   105.    Permit and licences required to explore and recover petroleum  
   106.    Interference with activities or work  
   107.    Misleading information  
   108.    False representations  
   109.    Operations near residence or other area  
   110.    Operations near cemetery  
   111.    Construction near habitable building  
   112.    Construction of well or well pad near designated bore  
   113.    Continuing offences  
   114.    Conduct of employee or agent  
   115.    Criminal liability of executive officer of body corporate  
   116.    Commencement of criminal proceedings  

           Division 2--Environmental offences

   117AAA. Application  
   117AAB. Environmental offences  
   117AAC. Additional defences for environmental offences  

           Division 3--Alternative verdicts

   117AAD. Alternative verdict  

           Division 4--Additional orders available on finding of guilt

   117AAE. Adverse publicity orders  
   117AAF. Order to remedy breach  
   117AAG. Recovery of costs  

   PART VA--CIVIL ENFORCEMENT, PENALTIES AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS

           Division 1--Injunctions and other orders

   117AA.  Who may bring proceedings  
   117AB.  Prohibitory injunctions  
   117ABA. Mandatory injunctions  
   117ABB. Interim injunctions  
   117ABC. Certain considerations for granting injunctions not relevant  
   117ABD. Discharge of injunctions  
   117ABE. Other orders  
   117ABF. Supreme Court may vary or revoke order  
   117ABG. Time for commencing proceedings under this Division  
   117ABH. Security and undertakings  
   117ABJ. Orders as to damages on application of respondent  
   117ABK. Orders as to costs  
   117ABL. Powers conferred are in addition to other powers of Supreme Court  

           Division 2--Enforceable undertakings

   117ABM. Enforceable undertaking  
   117ABN. Enforcement orders  
   117ABP. Power of CEO to take action  
   117ABQ. Variation or withdrawal of enforceable undertaking by interest holder  
   117ABR. No criminal proceedings while enforceable undertaking in force  
   117ABS. No further proceedings if enforceable undertaking complied with  

           Division 3--Civil orders

   117ABT. Application for civil orders  
   117ABU. Time for making application  
   117ABV. CEO to have regard to certain matters  
   117ABW. Notice of proposed application to Local Court  
   117ABX. Civil orders  
   117ABY. Local Court to have regard to certain matters  
   117ABZ. Civil orders under section 117ABX(1)(b)  
   117ABZA.Power to take remedial measures  
   117ABZB.Civil jurisdiction  
   117ABZC.Contravention of 2 or more provisions  
   117ABZD.Stay of proceeding  
   117ABZE.Inadmissibility of evidence in criminal proceedings  
   117ABZF.Orders as to costs  
   117ABZG.Recovery of amounts ordered to be paid to Territory  
   117ABZH.Civil proceedings not to affect compliance directions  

   PART VB--DATUMS

   117AD.  Object of Part  
   117AE.  Definitions  
   117AF.  Australian Geodetic Datum  
   117AG.  Current datum and previous datum  
   117AH.  Use of current datum  
   117AI.  Use of previous datum  
   117AJ.  Variation of petroleum interests etc.  
   117AK.  Variation of applications for petroleum interests  
   117AL.  No change to actual position of point, line or area  
   117AM.  Transitional Regulations  

   PART VC--FINANCIAL ASSURANCE FRAMEWORK

           Division 1--Preliminary matters

   117AN.  Types of security  
   117AP.  Requirement for security  

           Division 2--Environmental securities

   117AQ.  General provisions  
   117AR.  Assessment  
   117AS.  Review  
   117AT.  Release and extension  
   117AU.  Claim on security  

           Division 3--Petroleum infrastructure decommissioning securities

   117AV.  General provisions  
   117AW.  Assessment  
   117AX.  Review  
   117AY.  Release and extension  
   117AZ.  Claim on security  

           Division 4--Common provisions

   117AZA. Administration of securities  
   117AZB. Mandatory condition  
   117AZC. Action if interest holder in default  
   117AZD. Information about securities  

   PART VD--MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE LEVY

   117AZE. Definition  
   117AZF. Monitoring and compliance levy  
   117AZG. Liability for monitoring and compliance levy  
   117AZH. Amount and imposition of levy  
   117AZJ. Returns  

   PART VE--ORPHAN WELL LEVY

   117AZK. Definitions  
   117AZL. Meaning of orphan well  
   117AZM. Orphan well levy  
   117AZN. Liability for orphan well levy  
   117AZP. Basis and calculation of levy  
   117AZQ. Payment of levy  
   117AZR. Returns  
   117AZS. Payment into Fund  
   117AZT. Establishment of Fund  
   117AZU. Publication of information  

   PART VF--CODES OF PRACTICE

   117AZV. Codes of practice  
   117AZW. Use of codes of practice in proceedings  

   PART VI--MISCELLANEOUS

   117AMA. Licence etc. not personal property  
   117A.   Compensation: time limit on claims  
   117B.   Service of documents  
   117C.   Guidelines  
   117D.   Costs, undertakings and security for costs  
   117E.   Publication of decisions and provision of reasons  
   117F.   Evidentiary  
   117G.   Certificates of evidence  
   117H.   Contravention of certain provisions not offence  
   117J.   Approved forms  
   117K.   Electronic processes  
   117L.   Acquisition of advice  
   117M.   Cost recovery  
   117N.   Protection from liability  
   117P.   Authorised analysts  
   117Q.   Parallel powers and functions  
   117R.   Delegation by Minister  
   117S.   Delegation by CEO  
   117T.   Application to Tribunal in relation to infrastructure facilities  
   118.    Regulations  
   119.     Application, savings and transitional  

   PART VII--TRANSITIONAL MATTERS

           Division 1--Petroleum Amendment and Related Matters Act 2010

   120.    Definitions  
   121.    Determination of competing applications  
   122.    Minister's powers and functions  
   123.    Inspector's powers and functions  

           Division 2--Petroleum Amendment Act 2013

   124.    Existing applications for grant of exploration permit  

           Division 3--Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Conferral of Jurisdiction Amendments) (No. 2) Act 2014

   125.    Application or referral before former Tribunal  

           Division 4--Petroleum Legislation Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2020

   126.    Definitions  
   127.    Application made for exploration permit before commencement  
   128.    Decision in relation to renewal of exploration permit  
   129.    Decision in relation to variation of condition of exploration permit  
   130.    Decision in relation to renewal of retention licence  
   131.    Decision in relation to variation of condition of retention licence  
   132.    Decision in relation to renewal of production licence  
   133.    Decision in relation to variation of condition of production licence  
   134.    Application of section 108A  
   135.    Construction undertaken before commencement  

           Division 5--Petroleum Legislation Amendment Act 2022

   136.    Offence provisions – before and after commencement  
   137.    Transitional regulations  
           SCHEDULE 1
           SCHEDULE 2
           SCHEDULE 3
           ENDNOTES