Western Australia: Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 (WA)

Western Australia Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 Western Australia Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 Contents Part I — Preliminary 1. Short title 1 2. Commencement 1 3. Repeal 1 5. Terms used 1 6A. Effect of alteration of inshore area 1 Part II — General 6. Act to be construed subject to State's legislative powers 1 7. Application of Act 1 7A. Geothermal resources area in, or extending into, other areas 1 7B. Petroleum pool in, or extending into, other areas 1 8. Position on Earth's surface 1 9. Petroleum, geothermal energy resources and geothermal energy declared to be property of Crown 1 10. Reservations in Crown grants and leases 1 11. Minister may search for petroleum or geothermal energy resources 1 11A. Property rights in recovered petroleum and geothermal energy 1 12. Land may be resumed 1 13. Governor to have right of pre‑emption of petroleum in emergency 1 14. Land comprised in permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence may be entered for certain purposes 1 15. Authority conferred by permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence 1 15A. Consent of Minister required for entry on reserves for purposes of exploration etc. 1 16. Consent of owner or trustees required in certain cases for exploration etc. 1 17. Compensation to owners and occupiers of private land 1 18. Owner of private land in vicinity of permit area, drilling reservation, lease area or licence area may be entitled to compensation 1 19. Compensation for further damage 1 20. Holder of permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence not to commence operations on private land until compensation tendered or agreed upon 1 21. Compensation payable to certain lessees for damage to improvements and consequential damage 1 22. Determination of partial compensation 1 23. Security for compensation 1 24. Matters for which compensation not payable 1 24A. Liability for payment of compensation to native title holders 1 25. Delegation 1 Part III — Mining for petroleum, geothermal energy resources and geothermal energy Division 1 — Preliminary 26. Term used: State 1 27. Graticulation of Earth's surface and constitution of blocks 1 28. Reservation of blocks 1 28A. Issue of permits etc. in marine reserves 1 Division 2 — Permits and drilling reservations 29. Exploration for petroleum and geothermal energy resources restricted 1 30. Advertisement of blocks 1 31. Application for permit 1 32A. More than one permit application for same block or blocks 1 32. Grant or refusal of permit in relation to application 1 33A. Withdrawal of application 1 33B. Application continued after withdrawal of joint applicant 1 33C. Effect of withdrawal or lapse of s. 30 application 1 33. Application for permit in respect of surrendered etc. blocks 1 34. Application fee etc. 1 35. Consideration of application 1 36. Request by applicant for grant of permit in respect of advertised block 1 37. Grant of permit on request 1 37A. Permit for 2 or more blocks may be divided into 2 or more permits 1 37B. Grant of boundary-change permit 1 38. Rights conferred by permit 1 39. Term of permit 1 40. Application for renewal of permit 1 41. Application for renewal of permit to be in respect of reduced area 1 42A. Certain permits cannot be renewed more than twice 1 42B. Limits on renewal of boundary-change permits 1 42. Grant or refusal of renewal of permit 1 43. Conditions of permit 1 43A. Advertisement of blocks for drilling reservations 1 43B. Application for drilling reservation 1 43CA. More than one drilling reservation application for same block or blocks 1 43C. Grant or refusal in relation to applications for drilling reservations 1 43DA. Withdrawal of application 1 43DB. Application continued after withdrawal of joint applicant 1 43DC. Effect of withdrawal or lapse of s. 43A application 1 43D. Rights conferred by drilling reservation 1 43E. Term of drilling reservation 1 43F. Extension of term of drilling reservation 1 44. Discovery of petroleum or geothermal energy resources to be notified etc. 1 46. Nomination of blocks as location 1 47. Declaration of location 1 48. Immediately adjoining blocks 1 Division 2A — Retention leases 48A. Application by permittee or holder of drilling reservation for lease 1 48B. Grant or refusal of lease in relation to application 1 48BA. Application of s. 48A and 48B where permit is transferred 1 48CA. Application by licensee for lease 1 48CB. Grant or refusal of lease in relation to application by licensee 1 48CC. Application of s. 48CA and 48CB if licence is transferred 1 48CD. Grant of petroleum retention lease as result of change to boundary of offshore area 1 48C. Rights conferred by lease 1 48D. Term of lease 1 48E. Notice of intention to cancel lease 1 48F. Application for renewal of lease 1 48G. Grant or refusal of renewal of lease 1 48H. Conditions of lease 1 48J. Discovery of petroleum or geothermal energy resources to be notified 1 48K. Directions by Minister on discovery of petroleum or geothermal energy resources 1 Division 3 — Production licences 49. Recovery of petroleum or geothermal energy resources in State 1 50. Application by permittee for licence 1 50A. Application by lessee for licence 1 51. Application for licence under s. 50 or 50A, requirements for 1 52. Determination of rate of royalty 1 53. Notification as to grant of licence 1 54. Grant of licence 1 54A. Application of s. 51 to 54 where permit etc. transferred 1 55. Variation of licence area 1 56. Determination of permit as to blocks not taken up by licensee 1 57. Application for licence in respect of surrendered etc. blocks 1 58. Application fee etc. for s. 57 applications 1 59. Request by applicant for grant of licence 1 60. Grant of licence on request 1 61. Licence for 2 or more blocks may be divided into 2 or more licences 1 61A. Grant of petroleum production licence as result of change to boundary of offshore area 1 62. Rights conferred by licence 1 62A. Geothermal energy recovery development plans 1 62B. Variation of approved development plans 1 63. Term of licence 1 64A. Termination of licence if no operations for 5 years 1 64. Application for renewal of licence 1 65. Grant or refusal of renewal of licence 1 66. Conditions of licence 1 67. Storage of petroleum underground 1 68. Directions as to recovery of petroleum 1 69. Unit development 1 Division 3A — Petroleum titles and geothermal titles may subsist in respect of same blocks 69A. Petroleum titles and geothermal titles may subsist in respect of same blocks 1 Division 4 — Registration of instruments 69J. Term used: title 1 70. Register of certain instruments to be kept 1 71. Memorials to be entered of permits determined etc. 1 72. Approval and registration of transfers 1 73. Entries in Register on devolution of title 1 75. Approval of dealings creating interests etc. in existing titles 1 75A. Approval of dealings in future interests etc. 1 76. True consideration to be shown in transfer or dealing 1 77. Minister not concerned with certain matters 1 78. Power of Minister to require information as to transfers or dealings 1 79. Production and inspection of documents 1 80. Inspection of Register and instruments 1 81. Evidentiary provisions 1 81A. Minister may make corrections to, and entries in, Register 1 82. Application to State Administrative Tribunal for orders 1 84. Offences connected with Register and certain documents 1 85. Assessment of fee payable under Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources (Registration Fees) Act 1967 1 86. Exemption from duty 1 Division 5 — General 88. Notice of grants of permits etc. to be published 1 89. Date of effect of certain surrenders, cancellations and variations 1 90. Commencement of works 1 91. Work practices 1 91A. Conditions relating to insurance 1 91B. Conditions prohibiting entry on certain land 1 92. Maintenance etc. of property 1 93. Operation of s. 91, 91A and 92 subject to this Act and other laws 1 95. Directions by Minister 1 96. Compliance with directions 1 97. Variation and suspension of, and exemption from compliance with, conditions 1 97A. Variation of petroleum title by including area as result of change to boundary of offshore area 1 98. Surrender of permits etc. 1 99. Cancellation of permits etc. 1 100. Cancellation of permit etc. not affected by other provisions 1 101. Removal of property etc. by permittee etc. 1 102. Removal of property etc. by Minister 1 105. Special prospecting authorities 1 106. Access authorities 1 107. Removal, disposal or sale of property 1 109. Minister etc. may require information to be furnished etc. 1 110. Power to examine on oath 1 111. Failing to furnish information etc. 1 112A. Exclusion zones 1 113. Discovery of water to be notified 1 115. Records etc. to be kept 1 116A. Data management: regulations 1 116. Scientific investigations 1 117. Interference with other rights etc. 1 117A. Interfering with petroleum operation or geothermal energy operation 1 118. Inspectors 1 119. Powers of inspectors 1 119A. Protection from liability for wrongdoing 1 121. Continuing offences 1 122. Crimes and other offences 1 123. Orders for forfeiture etc. in respect of certain offences 1 124. Power of Attorney General to direct disposal of goods 1 125. Time for bringing proceedings for offences 1 126. Judicial notice 1 126A. Evidentiary matters 1 127. Service of documents 1 127A. Service of documents on 2 or more permittees etc. 1 Division 6 — Transitional provisions 128. Terms used 1 129. This Division prevails over other provisions 1 130. Cessation of operation of former provisions 1 131. Prohibition on granting of instruments under former provisions after commencing day 1 132. Rights of holders of existing prescribed instruments 1 133. Holders of existing instruments may be granted permits under this Part 1 134. Transitional provisions relating to Barrow Island lease 1 134A. Application of former provisions after coming into operation of variation agreement 1 71. Interpretation 1 72. Statements, information and records 1 73. Powers of officers 1 74. Royalty a debt due to the State 1 75. Offences 1 117. Application of regulations to Barrow Island lease 1 135. Certain portions of blocks to be blocks 1 136. Certain petroleum exploration or recovery activities not prohibited by s. 29 or 49 1 Division 7 — Fees and royalties 137. Permit and drilling reservation fees 1 137A. Lease fees 1 138. Licence fees 1 139. Time of payment of fees 1 140. Penalty for late payment of fees 1 141. Fees and penalties debts due to Crown 1 142. Royalty 1 143. Reduction of royalty in certain cases 1 144. Royalty not payable in certain cases 1 144A. Royalty value 1 145. Ascertainment of value of petroleum or geothermal energy 1 146. Ascertainment of well‑head 1 147. Ascertainment of quantity of petroleum or geothermal energy recovered 1 148. Payment of royalty and penalty for late payment 1 149. Royalty or late payment amount is debt due to Crown 1 Part IVA — Release of information Division 1 — Preliminary 150A. Terms used 1 Division 2 — Protection of confidentiality of information and samples Subdivision 1 — Information and samples obtained by the Minister 150B. Protection of confidentiality of information obtained by Minister 1 150C. Protection of confidentiality of samples obtained by Minister 1 150D. Information or samples obtained by Minister can be made available to certain persons 1 Subdivision 2 — Information and samples obtained by another Minister 150E. Protection of confidentiality of information obtained by another Minister 1 150F. Protection of confidentiality of samples obtained by another Minister 1 150G. Information or samples obtained by another Minister can be made available to certain persons 1 Subdivision 3 — Miscellaneous 150H. Fees 1 Part IV — Miscellaneous 150. Jurisdiction of Magistrates Court 1 151. Special case may be reserved for Supreme Court 1 152. Certain things are not personal property for purposes of Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Commonwealth) 1 153. Regulations 1 154. Further transitional provisions 1 Schedule 2 — Further transitional provisions Division 1 — Provisions for Petroleum and Energy Legislation Amendment Act 2010 1. Terms used 1 2. Section 41(5) (permit renewals) 1 3. Section 112 (release of information) 1 Notes Compilation table 1 Uncommenced provisions table 1 Other notes 1 Defined terms Western Australia Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 An Act relating to the exploration for, and the exploitation of, petroleum resources, geothermal energy resources, and certain other resources, within certain lands of the State; to repeal the Petroleum Act 1936, and for incidental and other purposes. [Long title amended: No. 35 of 2007 s. 4.] Part I — Preliminary 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967. [Section 1 amended: No. 35 of 2007 s. 5.] 2. Commencement This Act or any provision thereof shall come into operation on such date or such dates as are respectively fixed by proclamation. 3. Repeal The Petroleum Act 1936 is repealed. [4. Deleted: No. 12 of 1990 s. 4.] 5. Terms used (1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears — access authority means — (a) a petroleum access authority; or (b) a geothermal access authority; application for a primary licence means an application for the grant or variation of a petroleum production licence under section 50(1) or (2) or 50A(1) or (2) and primary licence means a licence granted on such an application; application for a secondary licence means an application under section 50(3) or 50A(3) and secondary licence means a licence granted on such an application; approved means approved by the Minister; approved development plan, in relation to a geothermal production licence, means the geothermal energy recovery development plan approved under section 62A that applies to the licence and includes that plan as varied under section 62B; Barrow Island lease has the meaning given in section 128; block means a block constituted as provided by section 27 or 135; boundary-change permit means a petroleum exploration permit granted under section 37B; Commonwealth Act means the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 (Commonwealth); Commonwealth lease means a petroleum retention lease as defined in the Commonwealth Act section 7; Commonwealth licence means a fixed‑term petroleum production licence as defined in the Commonwealth Act section 7; Commonwealth permit means a petroleum exploration permit as defined in the Commonwealth Act section 7; construct includes "place" and construction has a corresponding meaning; Crown land means all land in the State — [(a) deleted] (b) which has not been lawfully granted or contracted to be granted in fee simple; or (c) which is not held under lease for any purpose except under — (i) a pastoral lease or a lease otherwise granted for grazing purposes only; or (ia) a diversification lease; or (ii) a lease for timber purposes; or (iii) a lease for the use and benefit of the Aboriginal inhabitants, and includes — (d) any land reserved, declared or otherwise dedicated under the Land Administration Act 1997 or any other written law; and (e) without limiting paragraph (d), State forests and timber reserves within the meaning of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984; and [(f), (g) deleted] (h) all land between — (i) high and low‑water mark on the sea shore and on the margin of tidal rivers; and (ii) low‑water mark referred to in subparagraph (i) and the inner limit of the territorial sea of Australia; diversification lease has the meaning given in the Land Administration Act 1997 section 92B(1); document includes any map, book, record or writing; drilling reservation means — (a) a petroleum drilling reservation; or (b) a geothermal drilling reservation; facility means a structure for or in connection with carrying out a petroleum operation or geothermal energy operation; geothermal access authority means a geothermal access authority under Part III; geothermal drilling reservation means a geothermal drilling reservation referred to in section 43D(2); geothermal energy means thermal energy that results from natural geological processes and is contained in geothermal energy resources; geothermal energy operation means — (a) an operation to explore for geothermal energy resources, and the carrying on of such operations and the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose; (b) an operation to drill for geothermal energy resources, and the carrying on of such operations and the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose; (c) an operation to recover geothermal energy, and the carrying on of such operations and the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose; (d) any other kind of operation that is prescribed by the regulations to be a geothermal energy operation for the purposes of this definition, but does not include an operation of a kind that is prescribed by the regulations not to be a geothermal energy operation for the purposes of this definition; geothermal energy resources means subsurface rock or other subterranean substances that contain geothermal energy and, where the context so requires, includes the geothermal energy contained in those resources; geothermal exploration permit means a permit that confers the authority referred to in section 38(2); geothermal lease area means the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a geothermal retention lease; geothermal lessee means the registered holder of a geothermal retention lease; geothermal licensee means the registered holder of a geothermal production licence; geothermal permit area means the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a geothermal exploration permit; geothermal permittee means the registered holder of a geothermal exploration permit; geothermal production licence means a geothermal production licence under Part III; geothermal resources area means a discrete area that contains geothermal energy resources; geothermal retention lease means a geothermal retention lease under Part III; geothermal special prospecting authority means a geothermal special prospecting authority under Part III; good oil‑field practice means all those things that are generally accepted as good and safe in the carrying on of exploration for petroleum, or in the operations for the recovery of petroleum, as the case may be; granted, in relation to a boundary-change permit, a petroleum retention lease under section 48CD or a petroleum production licence under section 61A, means taken to have been granted; graticular section means a section referred to in section 27; holder of a drilling reservation means the registered holder of a drilling reservation; inspector means a person appointed under section 118; lease means — (a) a petroleum retention lease; or (b) a geothermal retention lease; lease area means the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a lease; lessee means the registered holder of a lease; licence means — (a) a petroleum production licence; or (b) a geothermal production licence; licence area means the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a licence; licensee means the registered holder of a licence; location means a block or blocks in respect of which a declaration under section 47 is in force; offshore area has the meaning given in the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982 section 4; oil shale includes naturally occurring hydrocarbons that are or may be contained in rocks from which they cannot be recovered otherwise than by mining those rocks as oil shale; operator — (a) in relation to an operation to explore for petroleum or geothermal energy resources or the carrying on of such operations or the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose, in a permit area, means the registered holder of the permit for that area; (b) in relation to an operation to drill for petroleum or geothermal energy resources or the carrying on of such operations or the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose, in a drilling reservation area, means the registered holder of the drilling reservation for that area; (c) in relation to an operation to explore for petroleum or geothermal energy resources or the carrying on of such operations or the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose, in a lease area, means the registered holder of the lease for that area; (d) in relation to — (i) an operation to recover petroleum or geothermal energy in a licence area or to recover petroleum or geothermal energy from a licence area in another area; or (ii) an operation to explore for petroleum or geothermal energy resources in a licence area; or (iii) the carrying on of such operations or the execution of such works in a licence area as are necessary for those purposes, means the registered holder of the licence for that area; (e) in relation to an operation for the mining, obtaining or production of petroleum under the Barrow Island lease as renewed, substituted or varied, means the lessee as defined in section 128; (f) in relation to a petroleum exploration operation or geothermal energy resources exploration operation specified in a special prospecting authority, means the registered holder of the special prospecting authority; (g) in relation to a petroleum exploration operation or geothermal energy resources exploration operation or an operation related to the recovery of petroleum or geothermal energy in or from an area specified in an access authority, means the registered holder of the access authority; (h) in relation to the injection of petroleum into a natural underground reservoir, means a person (other than the Minister) who is a party to an agreement under section 67(1), or who has the Minister's approval under section 67(2), in respect of that injection; (i) in relation to the injection of carbon dioxide, as defined in section 3 of the Barrow Island Act 2003, into an underground reservoir or other subsurface formation, means a person who has the BI Act Minister's approval under section 13 of that Act, in respect of that injection; (j) in relation to any other kind of operation that is prescribed by the regulations to be a petroleum operation for the purposes of the definition of petroleum operation, means the person prescribed by the regulations to be the operator of such a petroleum operation for the purposes of this definition; (k) in relation to any other kind of operation that is prescribed by the regulations to be a geothermal energy operation for the purposes of the definition of geothermal energy operation, means the person prescribed by the regulations to be the operator of such a geothermal energy operation for the purposes of this definition; partly cancelled means — in relation to a permit, drilling reservation or licence — cancelled as to one or more but not all of the blocks the subject of the permit, drilling reservation or licence; partly determined, in relation to a permit, drilling reservation or lease, means determined as to one or more but not all of the blocks the subject of the permit, drilling reservation or lease; pastoral lease has the meaning given in the Land Administration Act 1997 section 3(1); permit means — (a) a petroleum exploration permit; or (b) a geothermal exploration permit; permit area means — (a) a petroleum permit area; or (b) a geothermal permit area; permittee means the registered holder of a permit; petroleum means — (a) any naturally occurring hydrocarbon, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or (b) any naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or (c) any naturally occurring mixture of one or more hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state, and one or more of the following, that is to say, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen, helium and carbon dioxide, and includes any petroleum as defined by paragraph (a), (b) or (c) that has been returned to a natural reservoir, but excludes oil shale; petroleum access authority means a petroleum access authority under Part III; petroleum drilling reservation means a petroleum drilling reservation referred to in section 43D(1); petroleum exploration permit means a permit that confers the authority referred to in section 38(1); petroleum lease area means the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a petroleum retention lease; petroleum lessee means the registered holder of a petroleum retention lease; petroleum licensee means the registered holder of a petroleum production licence; petroleum operation means — (a) an operation to explore for petroleum, and the carrying on of such operations and the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose; (b) an operation to drill for petroleum, and the carrying on of such operations and the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose; (c) an operation to recover petroleum, and the carrying on of such operations and the execution of such works as are necessary for that purpose; (d) an operation for the mining, obtaining or production of petroleum under the Barrow Island lease as renewed, substituted or varied; (e) the injection of petroleum into a natural underground reservoir; (f) the injection of carbon dioxide, as defined in section 3 of the Barrow Island Act 2003, into an underground reservoir or other subsurface formation; (g) any other kind of operation that is prescribed by the regulations to be a petroleum operation for the purposes of this definition, but does not include an operation of a kind that is prescribed by the regulations not to be a petroleum operation for the purposes of this definition; petroleum permit area means the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a petroleum exploration permit; petroleum permittee means the registered holder of a petroleum exploration permit; petroleum pool means a naturally occurring discrete accumulation of petroleum; petroleum production licence means a petroleum production licence under Part III; petroleum retention lease means a petroleum retention lease under Part III; petroleum special prospecting authority means a petroleum special prospecting authority under Part III; primary entitlement means — (a) in relation to a permittee, the number of blocks — (i) forming part of a location in the permit area in respect of which that permittee may make an application under section 50(1); or (ii) forming a location in the permit area in respect of which that permittee may make an application under section 50(1a); and (b) in relation to a lessee, the number of blocks in the lease area in respect of which that lessee may make an application under section 50A(1) or (1a); private land means any land which has been or may hereafter be alienated from the Crown for any estate of freehold, or is or may hereafter be the subject of any conditional purchase agreement, or of any lease or concession with or without the right of acquiring the fee simple thereof, other than — (a) a pastoral lease or a lease otherwise granted for grazing purposes only; or (aa) a diversification lease; or (b) a lease for timber purposes; or (c) a lease for the use and benefit of the Aboriginal inhabitants; recovery, of geothermal energy, includes the recovery of any geothermal energy resources necessary to recover geothermal energy; Register means the Register kept by the Minister in pursuance of Division 4 of Part III; registered holder, in relation to a permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority, means the person whose name is for the time being shown in the Register as being the holder of the permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority; regulations means regulations made under section 153; relinquished area means — (a) in relation to a permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence that has expired — the area constituted by the blocks in respect of which the permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence was in force but has not been renewed; and (b) in relation to a permit, drilling reservation, or lease that has been wholly determined or partly determined — the area constituted by the blocks as to which the permit, drilling reservation or lease was so determined; and (c) in relation to a permit, drilling reservation or licence that has been wholly cancelled or partly cancelled —the area constituted by the blocks as to which the permit, drilling reservation or licence was so cancelled; and (ca) in relation to a lease that has been wholly cancelled — the area constituted by the blocks in respect of which the lease was in force; and (d) in relation to a special prospecting authority or access authority that has been surrendered or cancelled or has expired — the area constituted by the blocks in respect of which that authority was in force; royalty period, in relation to a permit, drilling reservation or licence, means — (a) the period from and including the date from which the permit, drilling reservation or licence has effect to the end of the month of the year during which that date occurs; and (b) each month thereafter; royalty value has the meaning applicable under section 144A(1) or (2); special prospecting authority means — (a) a petroleum special prospecting authority; or (b) a geothermal special prospecting authority; structure means any fixed, moveable or floating structure or installation and includes a pipeline, pumping station, tank station and valve station; vessel means a vessel used in navigation, other than air navigation, and includes a barge or other vessel; well means a hole in the Earth's crust made by drilling, boring or any other means in connection with exploration for petroleum or geothermal energy resources or operations for the recovery of petroleum or geothermal energy, but does not include a seismic shot hole; wholly cancelled, in relation to a permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence, means cancelled as to all the blocks the subject of the permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence; wholly determined, in relation to a permit, drilling reservation or lease, means determined as to all the blocks the subject of the permit, drilling reservation or lease. (2) In this Act, a reference to the term of a permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority is a reference to the period during which the permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority remains in force and a reference to the date of expiration of a permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority is a reference to the day on which the permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority ceases to be in force. (3) In this Act, a reference to a year of the term of a permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence is a reference to a period of one year commencing on the day on which the permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence, as the case may be, comes into force or on any anniversary of that day. (4) In this Act, a reference to the renewal, or to the grant of a renewal, of a permit is a reference to the grant of a permit in respect of all or some of the blocks specified in the first‑mentioned permit to commence on the day after the date of expiration of the first‑mentioned permit or on the day after the date of expiration of the permit granted upon a previous renewal of the first‑mentioned permit. (4a) In this Act, a reference to the renewal, or to the grant of a renewal, of a lease is a reference to the grant of a lease in respect of the blocks in respect of which the first‑mentioned lease was in force to commence on the day after the date of expiration of the first‑mentioned lease or on the day after the date of expiration of the lease granted upon a previous renewal of the first‑mentioned lease. (5) In this Act, a reference to the renewal, or to the grant of a renewal, of a licence in respect of the blocks specified in the licence is a reference to the grant of a licence in respect of those blocks to commence on the day after the date of expiration of the first‑mentioned licence or on the day after the date of expiration of the licence granted upon a previous renewal of the first‑mentioned licence. (5a) In this Act a reference to the extension of a drilling reservation in relation to the blocks specified in the drilling reservation is a reference to the grant of a drilling reservation in respect of those blocks to commence on the day after the date of expiration of the first‑mentioned drilling reservation or on the day after the date of expiration of the previous extension, if any, of the first‑mentioned drilling reservation. (6) In this Act, a reference to a permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence or access authority is a reference to the permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence or access authority as varied for the time being under this Act. (6A) In this Act, a reference to a lease for the use and benefit of the Aboriginal inhabitants includes a reference to a lease for the social, cultural or economic benefit of Aboriginal persons. (7) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1), the Minister for the time being charged with the administration of the Mining Act 1978 may, in the event of a dispute whether a particular substance is or is not oil shale, decide whether that substance is or is not oil shale for the purposes of this Act and the Mining Act 1978 and his decision in the matter shall be final. (8) The power conferred by this Act to make, grant or issue any instrument shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including a power exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions, if any, to repeal, rescind, revoke, amend or vary any such instrument. (9) Notes in this Act are provided to assist understanding and do not form part of the Act. [Section 5 amended: No. 69 of 1981 s. 31; No. 12 of 1990 s. 5; No. 78 of 1990 s. 4; No. 11 of 1994 s. 4; No. 28 of 1994 s. 5; No. 31 of 1997 s. 141; No. 17 of 1999 s. 21; No. 13 of 2005 s. 4; No. 35 of 2007 s. 6 and 85; No. 42 of 2010 s. 4; No. 7 of 2017 s. 4; No. 36 of 2020 s. 300; No. 4 of 2023 s. 139.] 6A. Effect of alteration of inshore area (1) In this section — Commonwealth instrument means an instrument under the Commonwealth Act that confers, in relation to the offshore area, some or all of the rights that a permit, lease or licence confers in relation to the inshore area; inshore area means the area that comes within paragraph (h) of the definition of Crown land in section 5(1). (2) This section applies to a change to the boundary of the inshore area whether occurring before, on or after the day on which the Petroleum and Energy Legislation Amendment Act 2010 section 5 comes into operation. (3) If — (a) a permit, lease or licence has been granted on the basis that an area (the affected area) is within the inshore area; and (b) as a result of a change to boundary of the inshore area, the affected area ceases to be within the inshore area, this Act applies in relation to the permit, lease or licence as if the affected area were still within the inshore area. (4) Subsection (3) continues to apply in relation to the affected area only while the permit, lease or licence remains in force. (5) If — (a) a Commonwealth instrument has been granted on the basis that an area (the second affected area) is within the offshore area; and (b) as a result of a change to the boundary of the inshore area the second affected area — (i) ceases to be within the offshore area; and (ii) falls within the inshore area, then this Act does not apply to the second affected area. (6) Subsection (5) continues to apply in relation to the second affected area only while the Commonwealth instrument remains in force. [Section 6A inserted: No. 42 of 2010 s. 5; amended: No. 7 of 2017 s. 5.] Part II — General 6. Act to be construed subject to State's legislative powers This Act shall be read and construed subject to the limits of the legislative powers of the State and so as not to exceed those powers, to the intent that, where any enactment thereof, but for this section, would be construed as being in excess of those powers, it shall nevertheless be a valid enactment to the extent to which it is not in excess of those powers. 7. Application of Act (1) This Act applies to all natural persons, whether Australian citizens or not, and whether resident in the State or not, and to all corporations, whether incorporated or carrying on business in the State or not. (2) The conferral by or under this Act or by any permit, drilling reservation, lease, licence, special prospecting authority or access authority of rights over any land to which Part III of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972 applies does not prevent or in any way affect the application of section 31 of that Act to any person exercising those rights. (3) The taking or use of any water for the purposes of any operations carried out under the authority of a permit, drilling reservation, access authority, special prospecting authority, lease or licence is subject to the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. (4) This Act does not apply to operations for the recovery of geothermal energy — (a) that are carried out for the purposes of a small scale ground source heat pump used at or near the source of the geothermal energy; or (b) that involve small scale recovery of geothermal energy not for a commercial purpose; or (c) that are of a kind prescribed by the regulations. (5) Without limiting subsection (4)(b), the regulations may specify whether the small scale recovery of geothermal energy in prescribed circumstances or for a prescribed reason is or is not for a commercial purpose. [Section 7 amended: No. 107 of 1982 s. 6; No. 12 of 1990 s. 6; No. 78 of 1990 s. 7; No. 35 of 2007 s. 7.] [7AA. Deleted: No. 36 of 2020 s. 301.] 7A. Geothermal resources area in, or extending into, other areas (1) The provisions of this section have effect for the purposes of this Act (including any Act with which this Act is incorporated) and of licences (whether granted before or after the commencement of this section). (2) Where a well‑head is situated in a licence area or in an area in respect of which a geothermal access authority is in force (in this subsection called an access authority area) and the well from that well‑head is inclined so as to enter a geothermal resources area, being an area that does not extend to that licence area or access authority area, at a place within an adjoining licence area of the same licensee or registered holder of the geothermal access authority, any geothermal energy recovered through that well shall be deemed to have been recovered in that adjoining licence area under the geothermal production licence in respect of that area. (3) Where a geothermal resources area is partly in one licence area and partly in an adjoining licence area of the same licensee and geothermal energy is recovered from that geothermal resources area through a well or wells in one or both of the licence areas, there shall be deemed to have been recovered in each of the licence areas, under the geothermal production licence in respect of that area, such proportion of all geothermal energy so recovered as may reasonably be treated as being derived from that area, having regard to the nature and probable extent of the geothermal resources area, and the respective proportions shall be determined in accordance with subsection (4). (4) The proportions to be determined for the purposes of subsection (3) may be determined by agreement between the licensee and the Minister or, in the absence of agreement, may be determined by the Supreme Court on the application of the licensee or the Minister. (5) Where a geothermal resources area is partly in a licence area and partly in another area in which the licensee has authority under another written law or a law of another State to explore for geothermal energy resources or recover geothermal energy, and geothermal energy is recovered from that geothermal resources area through a well or wells in the licence area, the other area or both, there shall be deemed to have been recovered in the licence area such proportion of all geothermal energy so recovered as may reasonably be treated as being derived from the licence area, having regard to the nature and probable extent of the geothermal resources area, and that proportion shall be determined in accordance with subsection (6). (6) The proportion to be determined for the purposes of subsection (5) may be determined — (a) in the case of a licensee having authority under another written law, by agreement between — (i) that licensee; and (ii) the Minister; and (iii) if the other written law is administered by a Minister of the Crown other than the Minister, that Minister of the Crown, or, in the absence of agreement, may be determined by the Supreme Court on the application of that licensee, the Minister, or the Minister of the Crown (if any) referred to in subparagraph (iii); or (b) in the case of a licensee having authority under a law of another State, by agreement between — (i) that licensee; and (ii) the Minister; and (iii) the State Minister administering the law of the other State, or, in the absence of agreement, may be determined by the Supreme Court on the application of that licensee, the Minister or the State Minister referred to in subparagraph (iii). (7) Where — (a) a geothermal resources area is partly in a licence area and partly in another area, whether in the State or not, in respect of which another person has authority, whether under this Act or another written law or under the law of another State, to explore for geothermal energy resources or recover geothermal energy; and (b) a unit development agreement in accordance with section 69 is in force between the licensee and that other person; and (c) geothermal energy is recovered from that geothermal resources area through a well or wells in the licence area, the other area or both, there shall be deemed to have been recovered in the licence area such proportion of all geothermal energy so recovered as is specified in, or determined in accordance with, the agreement referred to in paragraph (b). (8) In this section — (a) a reference to a geothermal production licence includes a reference to a geothermal exploration permit and a geothermal retention lease; and (b) a reference to a licensee is a reference to the registered holder of a geothermal production licence and includes a reference to a geothermal permittee and a geothermal lessee; and (c) a reference to a licence area is a reference to the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a geothermal production licence and includes a reference to a geothermal permit area and a geothermal lease area; and (d) a reference to a State includes a reference to the Northern Territory; and (e) a reference to the Supreme Court is a reference to the Supreme Court of the State, or of one of the States, in which the petroleum pool is wholly or partly situated. [Section 7A inserted: No. 12 of 1990 s. 7; amended: No. 35 of 2007 s. 8; No. 7 of 2017 s. 6.] 7B. Petroleum pool in, or extending into, other areas (1) The provisions of this section have effect for the purposes of this Act (including any Act with which this Act is incorporated) and of licences (whether granted before or after the commencement of this section). (2) If a well‑head is situated in a licence area or in an area in respect of which a petroleum access authority is in force (in this subsection called an access authority area) and the well from that well‑head is inclined so as to enter a petroleum pool, being a pool that does not extend to that licence area or access authority area, at a place within an adjoining licence area of the same licensee or registered holder of the petroleum access authority, any petroleum recovered through that well is taken to have been recovered in that adjoining licence area under the petroleum production licence in respect of that area. (3) If a petroleum pool is partly in one licence area and partly in an adjoining licence area of the same licensee and petroleum is recovered from that pool through a well or wells in one or both of the licence areas, there is taken to have been recovered in each of the licence areas, under the petroleum production licence in respect of that area, such proportion of all petroleum so recovered as may reasonably be treated as being derived from that area, having regard to the nature and probable extent of the pool, and the respective proportions are to be determined in accordance with subsection (4). (4) The proportions to be determined for the purposes of subsection (3) may be determined by agreement between the licensee and the Minister or, in the absence of agreement, may be determined by the Supreme Court on the application of the licensee or the Minister. (5) If a petroleum pool is partly in a licence area and partly in another area in which the licensee has authority under another written law or a law of another State or the Commonwealth to explore for, or recover, petroleum, and petroleum is recovered from that pool through a well or wells in the licence area, the other area or both, there is taken to have been recovered in the licence area such proportion of all petroleum so recovered as may reasonably be treated as being derived from the licence area, having regard to the nature and probable extent of the pool, and that proportion is to be determined in accordance with subsection (6). (6) The proportion to be determined for the purposes of subsection (5) may be determined — (a) in the case of a licensee having authority under another written law, by agreement between — (i) that licensee; and (ii) the Minister; and (iii) if the other written law is administered by a Minister of the Crown other than the Minister, that Minister of the Crown, or, in the absence of agreement, may be determined by the Supreme Court on the application of that licensee, the Minister, or the Minister of the Crown (if applicable) referred to in subparagraph (iii); or (b) in the case of a licensee having authority under a law of another State, by agreement between — (i) that licensee; and (ii) the Minister; and (iii) the State Minister administering the law of the other State, or, in the absence of agreement, may be determined by the Supreme Court on the application of that licensee, the Minister or the State Minister referred to in subparagraph (iii); or (c) in the case of a licensee having authority under a law of the Commonwealth, by agreement between — (i) that licensee; and (ii) the Minister; and (iii) the Joint Authority, or, in the absence of agreement, may be determined by the Supreme Court on the application of that licensee, the Minister or the Joint Authority. (7) In subsection (6) — Joint Authority has the meaning given in the Commonwealth Act section 7. (8) If — (a) an agreement is in force to explore for, or recover, petroleum between — (i) a licensee, the Minister and, if the other written law mentioned in this subparagraph is administered by a Minister of the Crown other than the Minister, that Minister of the Crown in relation to a petroleum pool that is partly in the licence area and partly in another area (the other area) in which the licensee has authority under another written law; or (ii) a licensee, the Minister and the State Minister administering a law of another State in relation to a petroleum pool that is partly in the licence area and partly in another area (the other area) in which the licensee has authority under the law of the other State; or (iii) a licensee, the Minister and the Joint Authority in relation to a petroleum pool that is partly in the licence area and partly in another area (the other area) in which the licensee has authority under a law of the Commonwealth; and (b) the agreement contains a provision (the apportionment provision) that provides that, for the purposes of this section, there is taken to be recovered in the licence area a specified proportion of all of the petroleum recovered from the petroleum pool; and (c) assuming that petroleum were recovered from the part of the seabed that is within the areal and vertical extents specified in the agreement, the specified proportion would be consistent with such proportion of all petroleum so recovered as may reasonably be treated as being derived from the licence area, having regard to the nature and probable extent of the petroleum in that part of the seabed; and (d) the agreement contains a provision to the effect that if it becomes apparent that the areal and vertical extents of the petroleum pool, as specified in the agreement, comprise or are likely to comprise more than one petroleum pool, the apportionment set out in the apportionment provision will apply to the petroleum recovered from any or all of those petroleum pools, regardless of their location but within those areal and vertical extents; and (e) after the time of the making of the agreement, it becomes apparent that the areal and vertical extents of the petroleum pool, as specified in the agreement, comprise, or are likely to comprise, 2 or more petroleum pools; and (f) petroleum is recovered from any of those petroleum pools through a well or wells in the licence area, the other area or both, then — (g) for the purposes of this Act, there is taken to have been recovered in the licence area such proportion of all petroleum so recovered as is specified in the apportionment provision; and (h) subsection (5) does not apply to any of those petroleum pools. (9) The question of whether there is or was a petroleum pool covered by subsection (8)(a) is to be determined on the basis of information known at the time of the making of the relevant agreement referred to in that provision. (10) The question of whether subsection (8)(c) applies is to be determined on the basis of information known at the time of the commencement of the apportionment provision. (11) The location of any of the 2 or more petroleum pools mentioned in subsection (8)(e) is immaterial. (12) If — (a) at a particular time after the commencement of this section, a petroleum pool is partly in a licence area and partly in another area (the other area) in which the licensee has authority under another written law or a law of another State or the Commonwealth to explore for, or recover, petroleum; and (b) at that time, an agreement is made between — (i) if the licensee has authority under another written law — the licensee, the Minister and, if the other written law is administered by a Minister of the Crown other than the Minister, that Minister of the Crown; or (ii) if the licensee has authority under a law of another State — the licensee, the Minister and the State Minister administering the law of the other State; or (iii) if the licensee has authority under a law of the Commonwealth — the licensee, the Minister and the Joint Authority; and (c) the agreement specifies a part of the seabed by reference to its areal and vertical extents; and (d) the areal and vertical extents of the specified part consist of — (i) the whole or a part of the licence area; and (ii) the whole or a part of the other area; and (e) the areal and vertical extents of the specified part include the petroleum pool; and (f) the agreement contains a provision (the apportionment provision) that provides that, for the purposes of this section, there is taken to be recovered in the licence area a specified proportion of all of the petroleum recovered from the specified part; and (g) assuming that petroleum were recovered from the specified part, the specified proportion would be consistent with such proportion of all petroleum so recovered as may reasonably be treated as being derived from the licence area, having regard to the nature and probable extent of the petroleum in the specified part; and (h) petroleum is recovered from the specified part through a well or wells in the licence area, the other area or both, then — (i) for the purposes of this Act, there is taken to have been recovered in the licence area such proportion of all petroleum so recovered as is specified in the apportionment provision; and (j) subsection (5) does not apply to a petroleum pool located in the specified part. (13) The question of whether there is or was a petroleum pool covered by subsection (12)(a) at a particular time is to be determined on the basis of information known at that time. (14) The question of whether subsection (12)(g) applies is to be determined on the basis of information known at the time of the commencement of the apportionment provision. (15) If — (a) a petroleum pool is partly in a licence area and partly in another area, whether in the State or not, in respect of which another person has authority, whether under this Act or another written law or under the law of another State or the Commonwealth, to explore for or recover petroleum; and (b) a unit development agreement in accordance with section 69 is in force between the licensee and that other person; and (c) petroleum is recovered from that pool through a well or wells in the licence area, the other area or both, there is taken to have been recovered in the licence area such proportion of all petroleum so recovered as is specified in, or determined in accordance with, the agreement referred to in paragraph (b). (16) In this section — (a) a reference to a petroleum production licence includes a reference to a petroleum exploration permit and a petroleum retention lease; and (b) a reference to a licensee is a reference to the registered holder of a petroleum production licence and includes a reference to a petroleum permittee and a petroleum lessee; and (c) a reference to a licence area is a reference to the area constituted by the blocks that are the subject of a petroleum production licence and includes a reference to a petroleum permit area and a petroleum lease area; and (d) a reference to a State includes a reference to the Northern Territory; and (e) a reference to the Supreme Court is a reference to the Supreme Court of the State, or of one of the States, in which the petroleum pool is wholly or partly situated. [Section 7B inserted: No. 7 of 2017 s. 7.] 8. Position on Earth's surface (1) Where, for the purposes of this Act, or for the purposes of an instrument under this Act, it is necessary to determine the position on the surface of the Earth of a point, line or area, that position is to be determined by reference to the prescribed Australian datum. (2) A datum may be prescribed for all or some of the purposes referred to in subsection (1), and different datums may be prescribed for different purposes. (3) Regulations that prescribe a datum for a purpose referred to in subsection (1), or amend that datum or prescribe another datum to replace that datum, may make any transitional or savings provisions that are necessary or convenient to be made — (a) in relation to permits, drilling reservations, leases, licences, special prospecting authorities or access authorities granted before the regulations take effect; or (b) in relation to applications for permits, drilling reservations, leases, licences, special prospecting authorities or access authorities pending when the regulations take effect; or (c) for any other purpose. (4) Regulations referred to in subsection (3) may modify or otherwise affect the operation of this Act. [Section 8 inserted: No. 54 of 2000 s. 7(2); amended: No. 13 of 2005 s. 16(1).] 9. Petroleum, geothermal energy resources and geothermal energy declared to be property of Crown Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Act, or in any grant, lease, or other instrument of title, whether made or issued before or after the commencement of this Act, all petroleum, geothermal energy resources and geothermal energy on or below the surface of all land within this State, whether alienated in fee simple or not so alienated from the Crown, are and shall be deemed always to have been the property of the Crown. [Section 9 amended: No. 35 of 2007 s. 9.] 10. Reservations in Crown grants and leases Every — (a) Crown grant and lease under any Act relating to Crown land issued before the coming into operation of this Act shall be deemed to have contained; and (b) Crown grant, transfer of Crown land in fee simple, and lease under any Act relating to Crown land issued on or after the coming into operation of this Act shall contain, or if not containing those reservations, be deemed to contain, a reservation of all petroleum, geothermal energy resources and geothermal energy on or below the surface of the land comprised therein, and also a reservation of the right of access, subject to and in accordance with the provisions hereinafter contained, for the purpose of searching for and for the operations of obtaining petroleum, geothermal energy resources and geothermal energy in any part of the land. [Section 10 amended: No. 31 of 1997 s. 76(1); No. 35 of 2007 s. 10.] 11. Minister may search for petroleum or geothermal energy resources (1) The Minister may by his officers, agents, or workmen search for petroleum or geothermal energy resources, and conduct all operations deemed necessary for or incidental to searching for, obtaining, refining, or disposing of petroleum, geothermal energy resources or geothermal energy produced in Western Australia; and, for such purposes, may enter upon and occupy, either temporarily or permanently — (a) any vacant Crown land; or (b) any other land. (2) Where any of the powers conferred by subsection (1) has been exercised in relation to land referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection, compensation is payable to the occupier of the land and to any person having an estate or interest therein for any interference with the use of the land by the occupier, with operations carried on thereon or for any damage to or interference with any improvement on the land. (3) Any claim for payment of compensation under this section shall be made, dealt with, and determined under and in accordance with the provisions of Part 10 of the Land Administration Act 1997, as if it were a claim for compensation made originally under that Act. [Section 11 amended: No. 31 of 1997 s. 76(2); No. 35 of 2007 s. 11.] 11A. Property rights in recovered petroleum and geothermal energy (1) Subject to this Act and to any rights of other persons, on the recovery of any petroleum by a petroleum permittee, holder of a petroleum drilling reservation, petroleum lessee or petroleum licensee in the permit area, drilling reservation, lease area or licence area, the petroleum becomes the property of the petroleum permittee, holder of the petroleum drilling reservation, petroleum lessee or petroleum licensee. (2) Subject to this Act and to any rights of other persons, on the recovery of any geothermal energy by a geothermal permittee, holder of a geothermal drilling reservation, geothermal lessee or geothermal licensee in the permit area, drilling reservation, lease area or licence area, the geothermal energy becomes the property of the geothermal permittee, holder of the geothermal drilling reservation, geothermal lessee or geothermal licensee. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) operates to confer rights in relation to any water by means of which geothermal energy is transferred from geothermal energy resources for the purposes of its recovery. [Section 11A inserted: No. 35 of 2007 s. 12(1).] 12. Land may be resumed (1) The Minister administering the Land Administration Act 1997 may from time to time, under and subject to Part 9 of the Land Administration Act 1997, take on behalf of the Crown any land which in his opinion ought to be taken for the purposes of this Act, and for the purpose of any such proposed taking may cause the land to be inspected, surveyed, explored, and reported upon by such officers and workmen as he directs, all of whom may thereupon enter upon the land and carry out all necessary operations. (2) The Minister administering the Land Administration Act 1997 may from time to time under and subject to Part 9 of the Land Administration Act 1997, and at the request of a person interested in land taken or intended to be taken under subsection (1), take on behalf of the Crown any land which is being or is intended to be used in conjunction with the land so taken or so intended to be taken. (3) Upon any such taking the owner shall be entitled to compensation, and the amount of such compensation shall be determined in the manner prescribed by Part 10 of the Land Administration Act 1997. (4) Whenever it is proved to the satisfaction of the State Administrative Tribunal that damage has been sustained by a claimant by reason of the severance of the land resumed from other adjoining land of the claimant, the Tribunal may order that such adjoining land or some portion thereof shall also be resumed. [Section 12 amended: No. 31 of 1997 s. 76(3)‑(5), 142 and 143; No. 55 of 2004 s. 916.] 13. Governor to have right of pre‑emption of petroleum in emergency (1) Upon the Governor proclaiming a state of national or State emergency, the Governor shall have the right of pre‑emption of all petroleum produced by a licensee and of all the products of such petroleum; and in the event of the Governor exercising such right, the licensee concerned shall take all reasonable steps to facilitate the delivery of the petroleum or products thereof, as the Governor may direct. (2) No licensee shall sell or otherwise dispose of petroleum produced by him or the products thereof, without the written consent of the Minister. Penalty: a fine of $10 000. (3) Any sale or other disposition of petroleum or the products thereof made in contravention of subsection (2) shall, as against the Governor when exercising the right conferred by subsection (1), be null and void. (4) The price to be paid for petroleum or products thereof purchased by the Governor pursuant to the right of pre‑emption conferred by subsection (1) shall, failing mutual agreement between the Minister and the vendor, be determined by arbitration under the provisions of the Commercial Arbitration Act 2012. [Section 13 amended: No. 12 of 1990 s. 8; No. 42 of 2010 s. 62(15); No. 23 of 2012 s. 45.] 14. Land comprised in permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence may be entered for certain purposes (1) Subject to the approval and consent in writing of the Minister, any person may enter upon any land comprised in any permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence and do any of the following things: — (a) erect poles and posts thereon, and carry overhead across or along such land electric lines, and from time to time repair, alter, or remove such poles, posts, or lines; and (b) make or construct any tramways thereon, and from time to time repair, alter, or remove the same; and (c) construct any road, race or drain, or lay water‑pipes under, over, across, or through such land; and (d) any act or thing for or relating to a public purpose or the exercise of any right granted pursuant to law; and (e) for carrying out any of the said purposes, break or otherwise disturb the surface and soil of such land. (2) If the permittee, holder of the drilling reservation, lessee or licensee suffers any estimable damage by reason of the exercise by any person of any of the powers mentioned in subsection (1), that person shall be liable to compensate the permittee, holder of the drilling reservation, lessee or licensee, as the case requires, in respect of the damage so caused. (3) In default of agreement between the parties concerned, the permittee, holder of the drilling reservation, lessee or licensee may make application to the Magistrates Court at the place nearest to the place at which the land is situated in the prescribed manner to fix the amount of compensation to be paid. [Section 14 amended: No. 12 of 1990 s. 9; No. 78 of 1990 s. 7; No. 59 of 2004 s. 141.] 15. Authority conferred by permit, drilling reservation, lease or licence (1) Subject to this Act and to any condition referred to in section 91B(2), but notwithstanding the provisions of any other Act or law, the authority conferred by section 38, 43D, 48C or 62 upon a permittee, holder of a drilling reservation, lessee or licensee is, by virtue of this Act, exercisable on any land within the permit area, drilling reservation, lease area or licence area, as the case may be, whether Crown land or private land or partly Crown land and partly private. [(2) deleted] [Section 15 amended: No. 12