9   Grant of petroleum titles

(1)  The Minister may grant a petroleum title over any onshore area within the State, except:

(a)  an area designated by the Minister, by notification published in the Gazette, as an area in respect of which a petroleum title is not to be granted, or

(b)  an area included in an existing petroleum title held by a person other than the applicant, or

(c)  an area included in another application for a petroleum title:

(i)  that was made before the applicant’s application, and

(ii)  that has not been withdrawn or otherwise finally disposed of.

(2)  A notification under subsection (1) (a) may be varied or rescinded by a subsequent notification.

(3)  A petroleum title may be granted over land of any title or tenure.

(4)  A petroleum title takes effect on the date on which it is signed by the Minister or on a later date specified in the title.

(5)  Notification of the grant of a petroleum title or of a refusal to grant an application is to be published in the Gazette.

(6)  The Minister is to notify the Minister administering the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 of the grant of any petroleum title in relation to land that is a biobank site (within the meaning of Part 7A of that Act).