The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004

Interpretation, etc.

1.—(1) In the following clauses, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say—

“the Act” means the Petroleum Act 1998;

“Block” means an area comprised in this licence which is delineated on the reference map deposited at the principal office of the Department of Trade and Industry and to which a reference number was assigned at the date of this licence;

“Development Scheme” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 25;

“Fragmented Licensed Area” means a Licensed Area consisting in two or more areas any one or more of which is separated from the others;

“Half Year” means the period from 1st January to 30th June in any year or the period from 1st July to 31st December in any year;

“Initial Licensed Area” means the area described in Schedule 1 to this licence on the date it was granted;

“Initial Term” means the period of two years beginning on [insert start date];

“the Licensed Area” means the area for the time being in which the Licensee may exercise the rights granted by this licence;

“the Licensee” means the person or persons to whom this licence is granted, his personal representatives and any person or persons to whom the rights conferred by this licence may lawfully have been assigned;

“the Minister” means the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry;

“Oil Field” has the meaning assigned thereto by clause 25;

“Petroleum” includes any mineral oil or relative hydrocarbon and natural gas existing in its natural condition in strata but does not include coal or bituminous shales or other stratified deposits from which oil can be extracted by destructive distillation;

“Production Period” means, in circumstances governed by sub-paragraphs 3(a)—(c) inclusive of clause 7, a period of 18 years and, in circumstances governed by sub-paragraph (3)(d) or paragraph (4) of clause 7, such period or periods of not more than 18 years in aggregate as the Minister shall prescribe;

“Second Term” means a period of four years following expiry of the Initial Term;

“Section” means a part of a Block comprising an area bounded by minute lines of latitude and longitude one minute apart respectively;

“Third Term” means a period of six years following expiry of the Second Term;

“Well” includes borehole;

“Work Programme” means the programme set forth in Schedule 3 to this licence.

(2) Any obligations which are to be observed and performed by the Licensee shall at any time at which the Licensee is more than one person be joint and several obligations.