(1) The application period for an application under section 168 is:
(a) the period of 2 years after the day (the declaration day ) on which the block that constitutes the location concerned was, or the blocks that constitute the location concerned were, declared to be a location; or
(b) such longer period, not more than 4 years after the declaration day, as the Titles Administrator allows.
(2) The Titles Administrator may allow a longer period under paragraph (1)(b) only on written application made by the permittee within the period of 2 years mentioned in paragraph (1)(a).
(3) Despite subsection (1), if:
(a) a petroleum exploration permittee has applied for a petroleum retention lease under section 141 over a block or blocks; and
(b) a notice refusing to grant the petroleum retention lease has been given to the permittee under section 143; and
(ba) the reason for the refusal is that the Joint Authority is not satisfied as to the matter referred to in subparagraph 142(b)(ii);
the application period for an application made by the permittee under section 168 for the grant of a petroleum production licence over the block or blocks is whichever of the following periods ends last:
(c) the period that is applicable under subsection (1);
(d) the period of 12 months after the day on which the notice was given.
Note: Section 188 deals with the consequences of a failure to make an application within the application period.