Har lest litt igjennom PSA’en som har vært publisert her tidligere, og ønsker å trekke frem noe som i mine øyne er interessant. Her er linken forøvrig: http://www.mop.gov.gm/sites/default/files/Model-PSA-2010-Draft-1-1.pdf. Dette er altså et draft fra 2010. Man kan anta at den faktiske kontrakten mellom APCL og Gambia er forholdsvis like.

2.3 Exploration Period
(a) The Exploration Period shall commence on the Effective Date and,
unless this License is sooner terminated or surrendered pursuant to Article 26 shall continue:

(i) for an initial period of two years from the Effective Date (the “Initial Exploration Period”)

(ii) provided that the Licensee has fulfilled its obligations hereunder including under Article 3, upon the Licensee’s election made by notice in writing to the Commissioner:

(1) not later than 30 days before the Initial Exploration Period would otherwise expire, for a period of two years from the date of expiry of the Initial Exploration Period (the “First Extension Exploration Period”); and

(b) Unless the Commissioner notifies the Licensee of any objection within 45 days of receiving a notice under Clause 2.3 (a)(ii), the Licensee shall be deemed to have fulfilled its obligations under Article 3 in respect of the relevant period.

Min tolkning: Dersom lisensen ikke er terminert skal «exploration period» fortsette i 2 år, DERSOM selskapet har møtt forpliktelsene. (Dette har de da ikke gjort). Deretter må selskapet gi formell notis senest 30 dager før perioden utløper. Denne notisen hevdes å ha blitt gitt fra selskapet:

Fra årsrapport: «The Company was unable to meet this drilling commitment and lodged a proposal with the Government of The Gambia regarding the transfer of the outstanding drilling commitment into the next phase of the licences (the first extension exploration period) and entry into the first extension exploration period on both licences»

Fra melding 14.08.2017: «The Company confirms that it continues to await feedback from the government of The Gambia on its proposal to enter into the next phase of the licences and transfer the outstanding well commitment into the new phase».

Det kan altså virke som Gambia aldri har svart på APCL sin forespørsel. Dette vil i såfall være et brudd på 2.3 (b). «Unless the Commissioner notifies the Licensee of any objection within 45 days of receiving a notice under Clause 2.3 (a)(ii), the Licensee shall be deemed to have fulfilled its obligations under Article 3 in respect of the relevant period.»

Noen meninger rundt dette? Eventuelt andre tolkninger/mer informasjon blir satt stor pris på!