The Petroleum (Current Model Clauses) Order 1999

Licensee to keep samples

26.—(1) As far as reasonably practicable the Licensee shall correctly label and preserve for reference for a period of five years samples of the strata encountered in any well (including, where the site of such well is on land covered by water, the surface of such land) and samples of any petroleum or water discovered in any well in the licensed area.

(2) The Licensee shall not dispose of any sample after the expiry of the said period of five years unless—

(a) he has at least six months before the date of the disposal given notice in writing to the Minister of his intention to dispose of the sample; and

(b) the Minister or any person authorised by him has not within the said period of six months informed the Licensee in writing that he wishes the sample to be delivered to him.

(3) The Minister or any person authorised by him shall be entitled at any time—

(a) to inform the Licensee in writing that he wishes part of any sample preserved by the Licensee to be delivered to him; or

(b) to inspect and analyse any sample preserved by the Licensee.

(4) The Licensee shall forthwith comply with any request for the delivery of the whole or any part of any sample which is made in accordance with the preceding provisions of this clause.