அதிகாரப்பூர்வ மொழிபெயர்ப்புDepartment of Government Printing-இலிருந்து, மாற்றமின்றி
(1)
The Minister may for the purposes of this Act, within both offshore and onshore areas identified as having petroleum potential and which are to be offered to conduct petroleum operations or study or research projects to any contractor, authorize the Authority to demarcate and designate blocks which shall be called exploration blocks or development blocks as the case may be.
(2)
The designation of exploration blocks or development blocks shall be based on the maps prepared by the Authority under section 4(a) of this Act and be identified as follows:-
(a)
if situated offshore, be identified with reference to the area having petroleum potential; or
(b)
if situated onshore, be identified with reference to the Administrative District within which it is situated.
(3)
Each graticular section called an exploration block shall be given a unique reference number which shall be called as the "block identifier". Such exploration blocks may be grouped together into larger blocks, designated uniquely, if so desired.
(4)
Upon an exploration block being designated under subsection (1), the Authority shall obtain the approval of the Minister to publish the same in a manner prescribed by regulation.