The Petroleum (Current Model Clauses) Order 1999

Right of Licensee to determine licence or surrender part of licensed area

5.—(1) Without prejudice to any obligation or liability imposed by or incurred under the terms and conditions hereof, the Licensee may, at any time, determine this licence or surrender any such part of the licensed area as is mentioned in paragraph (3) of this clause by giving six months' written notice to that effect to the Minister.

(2) A notice given pursuant to paragraph (1) of this clause may be cancelled by a further notice in writing given to the Minister not less than one month before the expiration of the notice.

(3) Any area to be surrendered in accordance with paragraph (1) of this clause shall be a clearly defined area whose surrender will leave a retained area—

(a) which comprises at least 20 square kilometres;

(b) the boundaries of which run north, south, east and west; and

(c) the shortest boundary of which extends for at least 2 kilometres;

• Provided that if the licensed area is contiguous to an area which is comprised in a licence granted under—

  (i)

  the Act of 1934, or

  (ii)

  Part I of the Act of 1998,

  the boundaries of which do not coincide with the grid marked on the reference map deposited at the principal office of the Minister’s department or is bounded by a line drawn in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 to the Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1984 the Minister may agree in writing prior to the date the appropriate notice is given by the Licensee to accept a surrender of part of the licensed area which does not comply with the requirements of this paragraph.