Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982

Where petroleum is not being recovered in a licence area and the Minister is satisfied that there is recoverable petroleum in that area, the Minister may, by instrument in writing served on the licensee, direct the licensee to take all necessary and practicable steps to recover that petroleum.

Where the Minister is not satisfied with the steps taken or being taken by a licensee to whom a direction has been given under subsection (1), the Minister may, by instrument in writing served on the licensee, give to the licensee such directions as the Minister thinks necessary for or in relation to the recovery of petroleum in the licence area.

Where petroleum is being recovered in a licence area, the Minister may, for reasons that the Minister thinks sufficient, by instrument in writing served on the licensee, direct the licensee to take all necessary and practicable steps to increase or reduce the rate at which the petroleum is being recovered to such rate as the Minister specifies in the instrument.

Where the Minister is not satisfied with the steps taken or being taken by a licensee to whom a direction has been given under subsection (3), the Minister may, by instrument in writing served on the licensee, give to the licensee such directions as the Minister thinks necessary for or in relation to the increase or reduction of the rate at which petroleum is being recovered in the licence area.