(1) Within 7 days after an application for a consent under this Division to operate a pipeline is lodged, the Minister must decide whether to grant the consent.
(2) A decision by the Minister to grant or to refuse to grant under this Division a consent to operate is not invalid only because the Minister did not comply with subregulation (1) in relation to an application.
(3) The Minister must grant a consent under this Division if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
(a) a pipeline management plan in force for the pipeline provides for the operation of the pipeline;
(b) a validation of the proposal to operate the pipeline is in force; and
(c) if the Minister has, under section 38(2A) of the Act, required the licensee to take out and maintain a policy of insurance – the pipeline licensee is maintaining the insurance in accordance with the requirement.
(4) If the Minister decides to grant a consent under this Division, the Minister must, as soon as practicable, give the applicant the consent in writing.
(5) If the Minister decides not to grant the consent under this Division, the Minister must, as soon as practicable, tell the applicant, in writing:
(a) that the consent has not been granted; and
(b) the reasons for the decision.