Section 17: Terms and conditions of licences.

(1) A licence may be granted for such period not exceeding twenty years as the Minister may direct; and
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall affect the validity of any licence granted before the commencement of this Act for a period exceeding twenty years and every such licence shall, unless earlier revoked, be valid for the period for which it was granted.
(3) The holder of a licence may at any time during the term of licence determine the licence in respect of all or any part of the land included therein by giving to the Minister not less than three months previous notice in writing to that effect.
(4) Every licence shall be subject to the provisions contained in this Act as in force at the date of its grant and to such regulations concerning public safety, the avoidance of interference with works of public utility in, over and under the land included in the licence and the prevention of pollution of such land or any waters as may from time to time be in force.
(5)
In the absence of express provision to the contrary, a licence shall be deemed to include the following conditions to be performed and observed by the holder -
(a) to commence the construction of an oil pipeline within a period to be specified by the Minister and to complete the same and all necessary ancillary installations with reasonable despatch, and to maintain the same during the currency of the licence;
(b) to allow free access to any public officer authorised by or on behalf of the Minister in writing, to enter and inspect any work, structure or thing made or done in accordance with the licence;
(c) to indemnify the Minister against any claims arising from injury to any person or damage to any public or private property as a result of any act or thing done by the holder of the licence or his agents, servants or workmen in accordance with the licence;
(d) not to assign, sublet, mortgage or otherwise part with the licence or any right or interest thereunder without the previous consent in writing of the Minister.
(6)
Every licence shall be deemed to include a provision that any question or dispute arising between the President or the Minister and the holder of the licence regarding the licence or any matter connected therewith shall, if it cannot be resolved by agreement, be referred to arbitration.