(1)  Within 28 days after an application for a consent to construct a pipeline is lodged, the Minister must decide whether to grant the consent.

(2)  A failure by the Minister to comply with subregulation (1) in respect of an application does not of itself invalidate a decision by the Minister to grant or to refuse to grant the consent.

(3)  The Minister must grant the consent if there are reasonable grounds for believing that –

(a) a pipeline management plan in force for the pipeline provides for the activities to which the application relates; and

(b) a validation of the proposal to carry out those activities is in force.

(4)  The Minister may grant a consent to construct in respect of all or some of the activities to design and construct the pipeline.

(5)  If the Minister decides to grant the consent, the Minister must, as soon as practicable, give to the applicant the consent in writing.

(6)  If the Minister decides not to grant the consent in respect of all or some of the activities to design and construct the pipeline, the Minister must, as soon as practicable, give to the applicant, in writing –

(a) advice that the consent has not been granted for those activities; and

(b) a statement of the reasons for the decision.