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Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

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conditions in these areas, as well as to assess their hydrocarbon potential. She<br />

said that the data acquired are packaged and sold to industry to provide all<br />

concerned with a minimum data set. Dr. Nyland said that in addition to<br />

NPD, the closed areas are open to institutions and scientists to undertake<br />

investigations under a scientific research license. She said that the license is<br />

free of charge, carries no exclusivity for research or provide its holder any<br />

rights to exploit possible natural resources. She said that a licensee is required<br />

to submit a report immediately after its research is completed informing the<br />

authorities of what has taken place, and within three years or a reasonable<br />

time to publish the data and the results of its research.<br />

Dr. Nyland said that after an area has been opened up to industry,<br />

companies might apply for a reconnaissance license to conduct geological,<br />

geophysical, geochemical and geotechnical surveys. She said that this license<br />

in not exclusive. Dr. Nyland said that the reconnaissance license is the same<br />

as a prospecting license and that the licensee cannot conduct exploration<br />

drilling. She said that if there is a seismic expedition, the licensee has to have a<br />

representative of the Norwegian fisheries specialist on board the vessel. She<br />

said that all data collected has to be submitted to a company called PetroData<br />

within and no later than three months. She said that PetroData is the<br />

company that NPD has appointed to store all such data.<br />

Dr. Nyland said that some of the other data, which if collected, have to<br />

be reported to NPD include gravity data and all data analysis. Dr. Nyland<br />

said that before an area can be open, there is a need for environmental impact<br />

assessment studies to investigate the impact of petroleum activities on the<br />

environment and for determine the risk of pollution to the sea or air, to<br />

ascertain the precautions that need to be taken prior to the onset of activities,<br />

and the economic and social effects of the activities in the affected region. Dr.<br />

Nyland said that by making this determination before any production licenses<br />

are issued, the licensee will know the basis for production work in that area<br />

and will not be surprised by restrictions when they become necessary.<br />

Dr. Nyland said that the production license, which provides the<br />

licensee with exclusive exploration and production rights, is by far the most<br />

difficult license to obtain. She said that the Government after licensing rounds<br />

normally awards production licenses. Dr. Nyland informed participants that<br />

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 808

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