Commentary on Sections Petroleum and geothermal energy in deep-level land Section 45: Payment scheme
267.Subsection (1) confers a power on the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring companies to make payments in return for the right of use.
268.Subsection (2) sets out to whom the Secretary of State can require payments to be made, and subsection (3) allows the Secretary of State to specify the amount of the payments or provide a mechanism for determining the payment amounts. Subsection (4) states that the regulations may require energy companies to provide specific information on the right of use and payments to the Secretary of State or to any other specified person.
269.The Secretary of State must consult with appropriate persons before making any regulations under Section 45 (subsection (5)).