Common use of EVALUATION OF A DISCOVERY Clause in Contracts

EVALUATION OF A DISCOVERY. 9.1. If the Contractor discovers Hydrocarbons within the Contract Area, it shall immediately notify the Minister thereof and prepare, in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry, the tests required to evaluate the Petroleum indicated during the drilling. 9.2. If the Contractor wishes to evaluate the above­mentioned discovery, it shall submit to the Minister within six (6) months following the notification of the discovery a project evaluation programme and the corresponding budget. The Minister’s approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 9.3. The Contractor shall then execute the evaluation project of the discovery as diligently as possible in accordance with the established programme. 9.4. At the end of this evaluation project, which may not be extended beyond the research period cited in Article 5 above, including the renewals and any extensions, the Contractor shall provide to the Minister, within two (2) months, a report containing the technical and economic data on the discovered deposit which will establish, according to the Contractor, the marketable character of the said deposit. This report shall include in particular the following information: · the geological and petrophysical information of the deposit; · the estimated delineation of the extent of the deposit and the corresponding technical proof; · the results from the project tests conducted or samplings taken; · an estimate of the reserves and a preliminary economic study for placing the deposit into operation. 9.5. The deposit’s marketability shall be determined by the Contractor. If the Contractor concludes that the duly evaluated deposit is marketable, it shall also submit to the Minister, within six (6) months from completion of the evaluation project, a development and operation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit in question, which shall in particular contain the following: · the precise delineation and surface area of the requested Exploitation Perimeter, within the currently valid Contract Area for the Marketable Deposit in question; · an estimate of recoverable reserves, proven and probable and of the production profile and a study on the Hydrocarbon recovery methods and the economic development of the Natural Gas; · the description and the project features necessary for the exploitation startup of the Marketable Deposit, such as the number of xxxxx, the facilities required for production, treatment, storage and the transport of the Hydrocarbons; · the schedule for implementing the above­mentioned project and the date forecasted for the production startup; · an environmental impact study indicating any effects from the projected work on the environment, the conditions under which they satisfy the environment concerns and a preliminary plan of abandonment or restoration of the sites in question at the end of the exploitation; · an estimate of development costs and the corresponding exploitation, and an economic study proving the marketable character of the Deposit. Within three (3) months following the acceptance of the development plan and the exploitation startup, the Minister may propose revisions or modifications to the said plan and the provisions of Article 16.2 of the Contract shall apply mutatis mutandis [with the necessary changes] to the said development plan concerning its adoption within three (3) months after it is submitted. 9.6. If the Marketable Deposit extends beyond the limits of the Contract Area, the Minister may, if necessary, require that the Contractor exploit the said deposit in conjunction with the contractor of the adjacent contract area or areas according to the provisions of a so­called “unitization” agreement. The Contractor shall submit to the Minister for his approval the development and exploitation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit prepared in association with the contractor of the adjacent contract area within six (6) months after the Minister has stated his requirements. If the development and exploitation startup plan is not submitted to the Minister within the above­indicated time period, or if it was not adopted by the Minister, the latter may prepare a development and exploitation startup plan in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry. Said plan shall be adopted by the Contractor if the terms established by the Minister do not have the purpose of reducing the economic profitability of the Contractor as resulting from the Contract or imposing on the Contractor an investment significantly higher than that which he would normally have had to assume if he have had to ensure the development and startup of exploitation by itself. 9.7. The Minister can request the Contractor to abandon the surface delineating a discovery of Hydrocarbons, if the Contractor: a) has not begun the evaluation project of the discovery within two (2) years after the date of notification to the Minister of said discovery mentioned in Article 9.1 above; b) does not consider the deposit as being marketable within a time period of eighteen (18) months after the completion of the evaluation project, except in the case of application of the provisions of Article 9.8. below. Any surface area thus returned shall be deducted from the surfaces to be returned by way of Article 6 above, and the Contractor shall lose any right over the Hydrocarbons that could be produced from this discovery. 9.8. If, at the end of the evaluation project, the Contractor establishes in the report mentioned in Article 9.4. above that the Hydrocarbon deposit covered by the discovery is not exploitable commercially in the immediate future but may become so, he may, upon request, obtain an extension of the research period involving the presumed extension of said deposit the purpose of which is to grant him a withholding period of said deposit measured from the date the signed report was submitted, such period being equal: a) to three (3) years in the event of a discovery of a Crude Oil deposit; b) to five (5) years in the event of a discovery of a non­associated Natural Gas deposit. During said retention period, the Contractor shall deliver to the Minister within sixty (60) days after the end of each Calendar Year a report showing the marketability or lack thereof of the deposit in question. He shall also, if it is a non­associated Natural Gas deposit, update the market study of the potential outlets of the said Gas. 9.9. If required, the Contractor, may, according to the terms set forth by the Oil Code, obtain, during the research period, a temporary exploitation authorization, in particular to conduct long­term production testing. At the end of the said testing, the Contractor shall supply to the Minister an evaluation report similar to that mentioned in Article 9.4 above, that will indicate the results and the interpretations of the tests and an estimate of the long­term production profile of the deposit and of the best possible mode of recovery.

EVALUATION OF A DISCOVERY. 9.1. If the Contractor discovers Hydrocarbons within the Contract Area, it shall immediately notify the Minister thereof and prepare, in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry, the tests required to evaluate the Petroleum indicated during the drilling. 9.2. If the Contractor wishes to evaluate the above­mentioned above-mentioned discovery, it shall submit to the Minister within six (6) months following the notification of the discovery a project evaluation programme and the corresponding budget. The Minister’s approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 9.3. The Contractor shall then execute the evaluation project of the discovery as diligently as possible in accordance with the established programme. 9.4. At the end of this evaluation project, which may not be extended beyond the research period cited in Article 5 above, including the renewals and any extensions, the Contractor shall provide to the Minister, within two (2) months, a report containing the technical and economic data on the discovered deposit which will establish, according to the Contractor, the marketable character of the said deposit. This report shall include in particular the following information: · the geological and petrophysical information of the deposit; deposit; · the estimated delineation of the extent of the deposit and the corresponding technical proof; proof; · the results from the project tests conducted or samplings taken; taken; · an estimate of the reserves and a preliminary economic study for placing the deposit into operation. 9.5. The deposit’s marketability shall be determined by the Contractor. If the Contractor concludes that the duly evaluated deposit is marketable, it shall also submit to the Minister, within six (6) months from completion of the evaluation project, a development and operation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit in question, which shall in particular contain the following: · the precise delineation and surface area of the requested Exploitation Perimeter, within the currently valid Contract Area for the Marketable Deposit in question; question; · an estimate of recoverable reserves, proven and probable and of the production profile and a study on the Hydrocarbon recovery methods and the economic development of the Natural Gas; Gas; · the description and the project features necessary for the exploitation startup of the Marketable Deposit, such as the number of xxxxx, the facilities required for production, treatment, storage and the transport of the Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons; · the schedule for implementing the above­mentioned above-mentioned project and the date forecasted for the production startup; startup; · an environmental impact study indicating any effects from the projected work on the environment, the conditions under which they satisfy the environment concerns and a preliminary plan of abandonment or restoration of the sites in question at the end of the exploitation; exploitation; · an estimate of development costs and the corresponding exploitation, and an economic study proving the marketable character of the Deposit. Within three (3) months following the acceptance of the development plan and the exploitation startup, the Minister may propose revisions or modifications to the said plan and the provisions of Article 16.2 of the Contract shall apply mutatis mutandis [with the necessary changes] to the said development plan concerning its adoption within three (3) months after it is submitted. 9.6. If the Marketable Deposit extends beyond the limits of the Contract Area, the Minister may, if necessary, require that the Contractor exploit the said deposit in conjunction with the contractor of the adjacent contract area or areas according to the provisions of a so­called so-called “unitization” agreement. The Contractor shall submit to the Minister for his approval the development and exploitation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit prepared in association with the contractor of the adjacent contract area within six (6) months after the Minister has stated his requirements. If the development and exploitation startup plan is not submitted to the Minister within the above­indicated above-indicated time period, or if it was not adopted by the Minister, the latter may prepare a development and exploitation startup plan in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry. Said plan shall be adopted by the Contractor if the terms established by the Minister do not have the purpose of reducing the economic profitability of the Contractor as resulting from the Contract or imposing on the Contractor an investment significantly higher than that which he would normally have had to assume if he have had to ensure the development and startup of exploitation by itself. 9.7. The Minister can request the Contractor to abandon the surface delineating a discovery of Hydrocarbons, if the Contractor: a) has not begun the evaluation project of the discovery within two (2) years after the date of notification to the Minister of said discovery mentioned in Article 9.1 above;above; b) does not consider the deposit as being marketable within a time period of eighteen (18) months after the completion of the evaluation project, except in the case of application of the provisions of Article 9.8. below. Any surface area thus returned shall be deducted from the surfaces to be returned by way of Article 6 above, and the Contractor shall lose any right over the Hydrocarbons that could be produced from this discovery. 9.8. If, at the end of the evaluation project, the Contractor establishes in the report mentioned in Article 9.4. above that the Hydrocarbon deposit covered by the discovery is not exploitable commercially in the immediate future but may become so, he may, upon request, obtain an extension of the research period involving the presumed extension of said deposit the purpose of which is to grant him a withholding period of said deposit measured from the date the signed report was submitted, such period being equal: a) to three (3) years in the event of a discovery of a Crude Oil deposit;deposit; b) to five (5) years in the event of a discovery of a non­associated non-associated Natural Gas deposit. During said retention period, the Contractor shall deliver to the Minister within sixty (60) days after the end of each Calendar Year a report showing the marketability or lack thereof of the deposit in question. He shall also, if it is a non­associated non-associated Natural Gas deposit, update the market study of the potential outlets of the said Gas. 9.9. If required, the Contractor, may, according to the terms set forth by the Oil Code, obtain, during the research period, a temporary exploitation authorization, in particular to conduct long­term long-term production testing. At the end of the said testing, the Contractor shall supply to the Minister an evaluation report similar to that mentioned in Article 9.4 above, that will indicate the results and the interpretations of the tests and an estimate of the long­term long-term production profile of the deposit and of the best possible mode of recovery.

EVALUATION OF A DISCOVERY. 9.1. If the Contractor discovers Hydrocarbons within the Contract Area, it shall immediately notify the Minister thereof and prepare, in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry, the tests required to evaluate the Petroleum indicated during the drilling. 9.2. If the Contractor wishes to evaluate the above­mentioned above-mentioned discovery, it shall submit to the Minister within six (6) months following the notification of the discovery discovery, a project evaluation programme program and the corresponding budget. The Minister’s approval shall Minister may not be unreasonably withheldrefuse this program without a duly-founded reason. 9.3. The Contractor shall then execute the evaluation project of the discovery as diligently as possible in accordance with the established programmeprogram. 9.4. At the end of this evaluation project, which may not be extended beyond the research period cited in Article 5 abovehereinabove, including the renewals and any extensions, the Contractor shall provide to the Minister, Minister within two (2) months, a report containing the technical and economic data on the discovered deposit which will establish, establish according to the Contractor, the marketable character of the said deposit. This report shall include in particular the following information: · - the geological and petrophysical information of the deposit; · deposit; - the estimated delineation of the extent of the deposit and the corresponding technical proof; · proof; - the results from the project tests conducted or samplings taken; · taken; - an estimate of the reserves and a preliminary economic study for placing the deposit into operation. 9.5. The deposit’s marketability marketable character of the deposit shall be determined by the Contractor. If the Contractor concludes that the duly marketable character of the duly- evaluated deposit is marketabledeposit, it shall also submit to the Minister, within six (6) months from after the completion of the evaluation project, a development and operation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit in question, which shall in particular contain the following: · - the precise delineation and surface area of the requested Exploitation Perimeter, within the Contract Area that is currently valid Contract Area for the Marketable Deposit in question; · question; - an estimate of the recoverable reserves, proven and probable and of the production profile and a study on the Hydrocarbon recovery methods and the economic development of the Natural Gas; · Gas; - the description and the project features characteristics necessary for the exploitation startup of the Marketable Deposit, Deposit such as the number of xxxxx, the facilities required for production, treatment, storage and the transport of the Hydrocarbons; · Hydrocarbons; - the schedule for implementing the above­mentioned above-mentioned project and the date forecasted forecast for the production startup; · startup; - an environmental impact study indicating any effects from the projected work on the environment, the conditions under which they satisfy the environment concerns and a preliminary plan of abandonment or restoration of the sites in question at the end of the exploitation; · exploitation; - an estimate of development costs and the corresponding exploitation, and an economic study proving the marketable character of the Deposit. Within three (3) months following the acceptance of the development plan and the exploitation startup, the Minister may propose revisions or modifications to the said plan and the provisions of Article 16.2 of the Contract shall apply mutatis mutandis [with the necessary changes] to the said development plan concerning its adoption within three (3) months after it is submitted. 9.6. If the Marketable Deposit extends beyond the limits of the Contract Area, the Minister may, if necessary, require that the Contractor exploit the said deposit in conjunction with the contractor of the adjacent contract area or areas according to the provisions of a so­called “so-called «unitization” » agreement. The Contractor shall submit to the Minister for his approval the development and exploitation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit prepared in association with the contractor of the adjacent contract area within six (6) months after the Minister has stated formulated his requirementsrequirement. If the development and exploitation startup plan is not submitted to the Minister within the above­indicated above-indicated time period, or if it was not adopted by the Minister, the latter may prepare a development and exploitation startup plan in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry. Said plan shall be adopted by the Contractor if the terms established by the Minister do not have the purpose of reducing the economic profitability of the Contractor as resulting from the Contract or imposing on the Contractor an investment significantly higher than that which he would normally have had to assume endure if he have had to ensure the development and startup of exploitation by itself. 9.7. The Minister can request the Contractor to abandon the surface delineating a discovery of Hydrocarbons, Hydrocarbons if the Contractor: a) has not begun the evaluation project of the discovery within two (2) years after the date of notification to the Minister of said discovery mentioned in Article 9.1 above;hereinabove; b) does not consider the deposit as being marketable within a time period of eighteen (18) months after the completion of the evaluation project, except in the case of application of the provisions of Article Article 9.8. herein below. Any surface area thus returned shall be deducted from the surfaces to be returned by way of Article 6 above, hereinabove and the Contractor shall lose loose any right over the Hydrocarbons that could be produced from this discovery. 9.8. If, at the end of the evaluation project, the Contractor establishes in the report mentioned in Article 9.4. above that the Hydrocarbon deposit covered by the discovery is not exploitable commercially in the immediate future but may become so, he may, upon request, obtain an extension of the research period involving the presumed extension of said deposit the purpose of which is to grant him a withholding period of said deposit measured from the date the signed report was submitted, such period being equal: a) to three (3) years in the event of a discovery of a Crude Oil deposit; b) to five (5) years in the event of a discovery of a non­associated Natural Gas deposit. During said retention period, the Contractor shall deliver to the Minister within sixty (60) days after the end of each Calendar Year a report showing the marketability or lack thereof of the deposit in question. He shall also, if it is a non­associated Natural Gas deposit, update the market study of the potential outlets of the said Gas. 9.9. If required, the Contractor, may, according to the terms set forth by the Oil Code, obtain, during the research period, a temporary exploitation authorization, in particular to conduct long­term production testing. At the end of the said testing, the Contractor shall supply to the Minister an evaluation report similar to that mentioned in Article 9.4 above, that will indicate the results and the interpretations of the tests and an estimate of the long­term production profile of the deposit and of the best possible mode of recovery.

EVALUATION OF A DISCOVERY. 9.1. If the Contractor discovers Hydrocarbons within the Contract Area, it shall immediately notify the Minister thereof and prepare, in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry, the tests required to evaluate the Petroleum indicated during the drilling. 9.2. If the Contractor wishes to evaluate the above­mentioned above-mentioned discovery, it shall submit to the Minister within six (6) months following the notification of the discovery a project evaluation programme and the corresponding budget. The Minister’s approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 9.3. The Contractor shall then execute the evaluation project of the discovery as diligently as possible in accordance with the established programme. 9.4. At the end of this evaluation project, which may not be extended beyond the research period cited in Article 5 above, including the renewals and any extensions, the Contractor shall provide to the Minister, within two (2) months, a report containing the technical and economic data on the discovered deposit which will establish, according to the Contractor, the marketable character of the said deposit. This report shall include in particular the following information: · the geological and petrophysical information of the deposit; deposit; · the estimated delineation of the extent of the deposit and the corresponding technical proof; proof; · the results from the project tests conducted or samplings taken; taken; · an estimate of the reserves and a preliminary economic study for placing the deposit into operation. 9.5. The deposit’s marketability shall be determined by the Contractor. If the Contractor concludes that the duly evaluated deposit is marketable, it shall also submit to the Minister, within six (6) months from completion of the evaluation project, a development and operation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit in question, which shall in particular contain the following: · the precise delineation and surface area of the requested Exploitation Perimeter, within the currently valid Contract Area for the Marketable Deposit in question; question; · an estimate of recoverable reserves, proven and probable and of the production profile and a study on the Hydrocarbon recovery methods and the economic development of the Natural Gas; Gas; · the description and the project features necessary for the exploitation startup of the Marketable Deposit, such as the number of xxxxx, the facilities required for production, treatment, treatment storage and the transport of the Hydrocarbons; Hydrocarbons; · the schedule for implementing the above­mentioned above-mentioned project and the date forecasted for the production startup; startup; · an environmental impact study indicating any effects from the projected work on the environment, the conditions under which they satisfy the environment concerns and a preliminary plan of abandonment or restoration of the sites in question at the end of the exploitation; exploitation; · an estimate of development costs and the corresponding exploitation, and an economic study proving the marketable character of the Deposit. Within three (3) months following the acceptance of the development plan and the exploitation startup, the Minister may propose revisions or modifications to the said plan and the provisions of Article 16.2 of the Contract shall apply mutatis mutandis [with the necessary changes] to the said development plan concerning its adoption within three (3) months after it is submitted. 9.6. If the Marketable Deposit extends beyond the limits of the Contract Area, the Minister may, if necessary, require that the Contractor exploit the said deposit in conjunction with the contractor of the adjacent contract area or areas according to the provisions of a so­called so-called “unitization” agreement. The Contractor shall submit to the Minister for his approval the development and exploitation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit prepared in association with the contractor of the adjacent contract area within six (6) months after the Minister has stated his requirements. If the development and exploitation startup plan is not submitted to the Minister within the above­indicated above-indicated time period, or if it was not adopted by the Minister, the latter may prepare a development and exploitation startup plan in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry. Said plan shall be adopted by the Contractor if the terms established by the Minister do not have the purpose of reducing the economic profitability of the Contractor as resulting from the Contract or imposing on the Contractor an investment significantly higher than that which he would normally have had to assume if he have had to ensure the development and startup of exploitation by itself. 9.7. The Minister can request the Contractor to abandon the surface delineating a discovery of Hydrocarbons, if the Contractor: a) has not begun the evaluation project of the discovery within two (2) years after the date of notification to the Minister of said discovery mentioned in Article 9.1 above;above; b) does not consider the deposit as being marketable within a time period of eighteen (18) months after the completion of the evaluation project, except in the case of application of the provisions of Article 9.8. below. Any surface area thus returned shall be deducted from the surfaces to be returned by way of Article 6 above, and the Contractor shall lose any right over the Hydrocarbons that could be produced from this discovery. 9.8. If, at the end of the evaluation project, the Contractor establishes in the report mentioned in Article 9.4. above that the Hydrocarbon deposit covered by the discovery is not exploitable commercially in the immediate future but may become so, he may, upon request, obtain an extension of the research period involving the presumed extension of said deposit the purpose of which is to grant him a withholding period of said deposit measured from the date the signed report was submitted, such period being equal: a) to three (3) years in the event of a discovery of a Crude Oil deposit;deposit; b) to five (5) years in the event of a discovery of a non­associated non-associated Natural Gas deposit. During said retention period, the Contractor shall deliver to the Minister within sixty (60) days after the end of each Calendar Year a report showing the marketability or lack thereof of the deposit in question. He shall also, if it is a non­associated non-associated Natural Gas deposit, update the market study of the potential outlets of the said Gas. 9.9. If required, the Contractor, may, according to the terms set forth by the Oil Code, obtain, during the research period, a temporary exploitation authorization, in particular to conduct long­term long-term production testing. At the end of the said testing, the Contractor shall supply to the Minister an evaluation report similar to that mentioned in Article 9.4 above, that will indicate the results and the interpretations of the tests and an estimate of the long­term long-term production profile of the deposit and of the best possible mode of recovery.

EVALUATION OF A DISCOVERY. 9.1. If the Contractor discovers Hydrocarbons within the Contract Area, it shall immediately notify the Minister thereof and prepare, in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry, the tests required to evaluate the Petroleum indicated during the drilling. 9.2. If the Contractor wishes to evaluate the above­mentioned above-mentioned discovery, it shall submit to the Minister within six (6) months following the notification of the discovery a project evaluation programme and the corresponding budget. The Minister’s approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 9.3. The Contractor shall then execute the evaluation project of the discovery as diligently as possible in accordance with the established programme. 9.4. At the end of this evaluation project, which may not be extended beyond the research period cited in Article 5 above, including the renewals and any extensions, the Contractor shall provide to the Minister, within two (2) months, a report containing the technical and economic data on the discovered deposit which will establish, according to the Contractor, the marketable character of the said deposit. This report shall include in particular the following information: · the geological and petrophysical information of the deposit; · the estimated delineation of the extent of the deposit and the corresponding technical proof; · the results from the project tests conducted or samplings taken; · an estimate of the reserves and a preliminary economic study for placing the deposit into operation. 9.5. The deposit’s marketability shall be determined by the Contractor. If the Contractor concludes that the duly evaluated deposit is marketable, it shall also submit to the Minister, within six (6) months from completion of the evaluation project, a development and operation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit in question, which shall in particular contain the following: · the precise delineation and surface area of the requested Exploitation Perimeter, within the currently valid Contract Area for the Marketable Deposit in question; · an estimate of recoverable reserves, proven and probable and of the production profile and a study on the Hydrocarbon recovery methods and the economic development of the Natural Gas; · the description and the project features necessary for the exploitation startup of the Marketable Deposit, such as the number of xxxxx, the facilities required for production, treatment, storage and the transport of the Hydrocarbons; · the schedule for implementing the above­mentioned above-mentioned project and the date forecasted for the production startup; · an environmental impact study indicating any effects from the projected work on the environment, the conditions under which they satisfy the environment concerns and a preliminary plan of abandonment or restoration of the sites in question at the end of the exploitation; · an estimate of development costs and the corresponding exploitation, and an economic study proving the marketable character of the Deposit. Within three (3) months following the acceptance of the development plan and the exploitation startup, the Minister may propose revisions or modifications to the said plan and the provisions of Article 16.2 of the Contract shall apply mutatis mutandis [with the necessary changes] to the said development plan concerning its adoption within three (3) months after it is submitted. 9.6. If the Marketable Deposit extends beyond the limits of the Contract Area, the Minister may, if necessary, require that the Contractor exploit the said deposit in conjunction with the contractor of the adjacent contract area or areas according to the provisions of a so­called so-called “unitization” agreement. The Contractor shall submit to the Minister for his approval the development and exploitation startup plan of the Marketable Deposit prepared in association with the contractor of the adjacent contract area within six (6) months after the Minister has stated his requirements. If the development and exploitation startup plan is not submitted to the Minister within the above­indicated above-indicated time period, or if it was not adopted by the Minister, the latter may prepare a development and exploitation startup plan in accordance with the rules of the art in use in the international oil industry. Said plan shall be adopted by the Contractor if the terms established by the Minister do not have the purpose of reducing the economic profitability of the Contractor as resulting from the Contract or imposing on the Contractor an investment significantly higher than that which he would normally have had to assume if he have had to ensure the development and startup of exploitation by itself. 9.7. The Minister can request the Contractor to abandon the surface delineating a discovery of Hydrocarbons, if the Contractor: a) has not begun the evaluation project of the discovery within two (2) years after the date of notification to the Minister of said discovery mentioned in Article 9.1 above; b) does not consider the deposit as being marketable within a time period of eighteen (18) months after the completion of the evaluation project, except in the case of application of the provisions of Article 9.8. below. Any surface area thus returned shall be deducted from the surfaces to be returned by way of Article 6 above, and the Contractor shall lose any right over the Hydrocarbons that could be produced from this discovery. 9.8. If, at the end of the evaluation project, the Contractor establishes in the report mentioned in Article 9.4. above that the Hydrocarbon deposit covered by the discovery is not exploitable commercially in the immediate future but may become so, he may, upon request, obtain an extension of the research period involving the presumed extension of said deposit the purpose of which is to grant him a withholding period of said deposit measured from the date the signed report was submitted, such period being equal: a) to three (3) years in the event of a discovery of a Crude Oil deposit; b) to five (5) years in the event of a discovery of a non­associated non-associated Natural Gas deposit. During said retention period, the Contractor shall deliver to the Minister within sixty (60) days after the end of each Calendar Year a report showing the marketability or lack thereof of the deposit in question. He shall also, if it is a non­associated non-associated Natural Gas deposit, update the market study of the potential outlets of the said Gas. 9.9. If required, the Contractor, may, according to the terms set forth by the Oil Code, obtain, during the research period, a temporary exploitation authorization, in particular to conduct long­term long-term production testing. At the end of the said testing, the Contractor shall supply to the Minister an evaluation report similar to that mentioned in Article 9.4 above, that will indicate the results and the interpretations of the tests and an estimate of the long­term long-term production profile of the deposit and of the best possible mode of recovery.