Petroleum Act 1936

The Minister may by his officers, agents, or workmen search for petroleum, and conduct all operations deemed necessary for obtaining, refining, and disposing of petroleum produced in Western Australia; and, for such purposes, may enter upon and occupy, either temporarily or permanently —

any vacant Crown land; or

any land in the grant or subsisting lease of which from the Crown, whether issued before or after the commencement of this Act, petroleum has been reserved, or held under lease, license, or permit for pastoral or timber purposes only, without making any compensation, except for deprivation of the possession of so much of the surface, including any improvements thereon, as is required for the conduct of the said operations and surface rights of way thereto or therefrom; or

any mining tenement within the meaning of the Mining Act 1904, held for the purpose of mining for gold or other mineral, including coal, subject to the payment of compensation for any interference with the operations of the holder thereof.

The Minister may by himself and any person acting with his authority, for the purpose of searching for petroleum, enter upon any other land alienated from the Crown for an estate in fee simple before the passing of this Act, or held under a subsisting lease from the Crown issued before the passing of this Act, and conduct all operations deemed necessary for that purpose, subject to the payment of compensation: Provided that the owner or lessee may require the land to be resumed under and subject to the next following section.

Any claim for payment of compensation under this section shall be made, dealt with, and determined under and in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Act 1902, as if it were a claim for compensation made originally under that Act.