Commonwealth Numbered Acts

PETROLEUM AND MINERALS AUTHORITY ACT 1973 No. 43, 1974 - SECT 10

10. (1) In relation to operations by way of exploration for, or recovery of,
petroleum or a mineral, it is the duty of the Authority to make thorough
preliminary investigations in accordance with generally accepted principles.

(2) The Authority shall perform its functions, in so far as it is reasonably
practicable for it to do so, in such a manner as will ensure that adequate
quantities of petroleum or of any mineral of a kind ordinarily imported into
Australia from another country are available for use in Australia at any time
when the exportation of petroleum or minerals of that kind to Australia is
restricted or prohibited by the Government of another country.

(3) It is the duty of the Authority-

   (a)  to ensure that operations carried on by or on behalf of the Authority
        in a petroleum exploration area in connexion with the exploration of
        that area for petroleum or the recovery of petroleum from that area
        are carried on in a proper and workmanlike manner and in accordance
        with good oil field practice;

   (b)  to ensure that all operations carried on by or on behalf of the
        Authority-

        (i)    in a minerals exploration area in connexion with the
               exploration of that area for minerals or the recovery of
               minerals from that area; or

        (ii)   in connexion with the construction, maintenance or operation of
               a pipeline,

are carried on in a proper and workmanlike manner;

   (c)  to ensure that-

        (i)    all structures, equipment and other property that the Authority
               brings, or causes to be brought, into a
               petroleum exploration area or a minerals exploration area are
               maintained in good condition and repair; and

        (ii)   all structures, equipment and other property in a petroleum
               exploration area or minerals exploration area belonging to the
               Authority or under its control that are not used or to be used
               in that area in connexion with operations by way of exploration
               for, or recovery of, petroleum or minerals are removed from
               that area;

   (d)  to secure the safety, health and welfare of persons engaged in
        operations of the Authority in a petroleum exploration area or
        minerals exploration area;

   (e)  to carry on operations by way of exploration for, or recovery of,
        petroleum or minerals on the submarine areas of the
        Australian continental land mass in a manner that does not interfere
        with-

        (i)    navigation;

        (ii)   fishing;

        (iii)  the conservation of the resources of the sea and sea-bed; or

        (iv)   any operations of another person being lawfully carried on by
               way of exploration for, recovery of or conveyance of petroleum
               or minerals or by way of the construction or operation of a
               pipeline,

to a greater extent than is necessary for the reasonable exercise of the
rights and performance of the duties of the Authority; and

   (f)  to consider, in connexion with the exercise of any of its functions,
        factors connected with the ecology and the environment.

(4) In particular, and without limiting the generality of sub-section (3), the
Authority shall, in carrying on operations connected with exploration for, or
the recovery of, petroleum in a petroleum exploration area-

   (a)  control the flow, and prevent the waste or escape, in that area of
        petroleum or water;

   (b)  prevent the escape in that area of any mixture of water or drilling
        fluid with petroleum or any other matter;

   (c)  prevent damage to petroleum-bearing strata in any area, whether
        adjacent to that area or not;

   (d)  keep separate each petroleum pool discovered in that area; and

   (e)  prevent water or any other matter entering a petroleum pool through
        wells in that area, except when required by, and in accordance with,
        good oil field practice.