Commentary on Sections New section 5A : Rights transferred without consent of the Secretary of State
368.Where there has been an unconsented transfer, subsection (2) gives the Secretary of State a power to issue a notice to both the transferor and the transferee directing that the right or benefit in the licence revert back to the transferor from a date specified in the notice. That date must not be earlier than the date the notice is given (subsection (3)).
369.During the period of the transfer the transferee will take any rights to search for, bore for or get petroleum which have in fact been transferred. The transferee will therefore effectively take any petroleum extracted or monies received in respect of any such petroleum (and consequently will be responsible for any tax liabilities associated with such petroleum or monies). The transferor will nevertheless remain liable for any obligations arising under the licence. Following a direction under subsection (2) the assigned rights and benefits will revert back to the transferor from the date specified in the notice (and consequently any associated tax liabilities which relate to the ownership of petroleum may apply to the transferor as from that time). Under subsection (4), the Secretary of State must notify both the transferor and the transferee of any proposal to issue a notice under subsection (2) and the Secretary of State must also give both parties a reasonable opportunity to make representations.
370.Under subsection (5), a notice under subsection (2) must be issued within 3 months of the Secretary of State learning of the unconsented transfer.