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(1) A petroleum agreement shall not affect the right of a person other than the contractor to undertake exploration for and production of natural resources other than petroleum, provided the grant does not unreasonably interfere with the petroleum activities.

(2) The right to undertake exploration for and production of natural resources other than petroleum includes the right to conduct scientific research.

(3) Where natural resources other than petroleum have been discovered in a contract area and the continued activities in respect of other natural resources cannot take place without unreasonably interfering with the conduct of petroleum activities, the Minister shall in consultation with the relevant authorities and the affected persons determine the extent to which any of the activities shall be postponed.

(4) In making the determination in respect of a postponement, the Minister shall take into account

(a) the nature of the discovery made,

(b) investments made,

(c) the stage of the activities, and

(d) the duration and extent of the activities and their economic and social impact.

(5) A contractor whose petroleum activities have been postponed may apply for extension of the petroleum agreement for a period of time corresponding to the period of postponement.

(6) Where the postponement only applies to a limited part of the petroleum activities the Minister may

(a) stipulate a shorter period for the extension;

(b) refuse the extension; or

(c) grant the extension only for part of the contract area.

(7) Where the postponement delays the fulfilment of a work obligation within the stipulated time limit, under a petroleum agreement, the time limit for fulfilment of the work obligation shall be extended accordingly.

(8) Where petroleum activities under a petroleum agreement are postponed, the annual acreage fee for the extended period shall be waived or reduced at the discretion of the Minister but fees paid in advance shall not be refunded.

(9) The Minister may direct that the person authorized to maintain activities shall wholly or in part refund the costs incurred and other reasonable costs to the person that has to postpone or curtail activities.

(10) Where the exploration for and production of natural resources other than petroleum, affects the activities of a licensee the provisions of this section shall apply to the extent relevant.