S.L. 549.68 Art. 5Exploration permits.

(1) Where the competent authority decides that exploration is required to generate the information necessary for selection of storage sites pursuant to regulation 4, an exploration permit issued by the competent authority shall be required for the carrying out of any exploration. Where appropriate, monitoring of injection tests may be included in the exploration permit.

(2) The procedures for the granting of exploration permits shall be open to all entities possessing the necessary capacities. Permits shall be granted or refused by the competent authority on the basis of objective, published and non-discriminatory criteria.

(3) The duration of a permit shall not exceed the period necessary to carry out the exploration for which it is granted. The competent authority may extend the validity of the permit where the stipulated duration is insufficient to complete the exploration concerned and where the exploration has been performed in accordance with the permit. Exploration permits shall be granted in respect of a limited volume area.

(4) The competent authority may include any condition in the exploration permit as it may deem necessary and expedient.

(5) The holder of an exploration permit shall have the sole right to explore the potential CO storage complex. No conflicting 2 uses of the complex are to be permitted during the period of validity of the permit.