Generally, petroleum exploration is carried out by way of Petroleum Exploration Permits but it can also be undertaken under a Drilling Reservation.
A Drilling Reservation is a prospect-size title granted under the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy Resources Act 1967 that allows drilling and other exploratory operations, such as seismic surveying.
Drilling Reservations are granted for a period up to three years, at the discretion of the Minister for Mines and Petroleum and only where a drillable target has already been identified. Drilling Reservations are not available under the Petroleum (Submerged Lands) Act 1982.
