Petroleum Act 1923

A person who, under section 76A, is required to keep a record or sample, must, for the services of the State, lodge a copy of the record and a part of the sample within 6 months after the earlier of the following (the required time)—

the day the record or sample was acquired or made;

the day the relevant 1923 Act petroleum tenure ends.

The copy of the record must—

be—

given electronically using the system for submission of reports made or approved by the chief executive; and

in the digital format made or approved by the chief executive; or

if a way of giving the copy is prescribed under a regulation—be given in that way.

The chief executive must ensure the system and a document detailing the digital format made or approved by the chief executive are available for inspection on the department’s website.

The part of the sample must be lodged at the following office (the relevant office)—

the office of the department for lodging the copy of the record and part of the sample, as stated in a gazette notice by the chief executive;

if no office is gazetted under paragraph (a)—the office of the chief executive.

If the chief executive gives the person a notice asking the person for more of the sample, the person must lodge it at the relevant office within the reasonable time stated in the notice (also the required time) unless the holder has a reasonable excuse.Maximum penalty—500 penalty units.

The chief executive may extend the required time by up to 1 year if—

the person asks for the extension before the required time; and

the chief executive is satisfied the extension is necessary.

However, the extension must not end later than—

for subsection (1)—6 months after the required time; or

for subsection (5)—1 year after the required time.

Without limiting subsection (1), the use to which the State may put the copy of the record and the part of the sample include the building of a publicly available database to facilitate petroleum exploration for the services of the State.