Special Prospecting Authority Applications
Special Prospecting Authorities with an Acreage Option (SPA/AO) (onshore PGERA67 only) are for the purpose of enabling geophysical surveys to be undertaken in vacant areas, as a preliminary means of assessment prior to a more permanent exploration title being applied for. These authorities are restricted in time to six months for the field work and generally a further six months is allowed for the option to be exercised. Drilling is not to be undertaken.
An SPA can also be applied for under the offshore State PSLA82 and Commonwealth OPGGSA06, however an Acreage Option is not available.
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Special Prospecting Authority
Application forms for a Special Prospecting Authority (SPA) are available from the right of the page, and these forms detail the information which must necessarily be provided when an application is made.
Explorers are encouraged to liaise with the DMP Petroleum and Environment Division at the earliest opportunity so that any potential difficulties or constraints may be dealt with prior to the proposed commencement date.
Generally, the grant of a SPA will depend upon the rationale for the proposed program and the applicant’s financial and technical ability.
The approval of an acreage option (onshore PGERA67 only) for a SPA/AO is at the Minister’s discretion as some surveys may not be regarded as worthy of such exclusivity.
The option is only extended to the application for a title and does not infer for any obligation on the part of the Minister to grant a title. Such an application will only be granted on the merits of the proposed work program in the same way as a permit application under the competitive bidding system.
Once the SPA/AO period has expired, the data is to be made publicly available.
