On June 29, 2016, EPL eventually received from the State Agency of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine a special permit for subsoil use issued to the company “Shell Exploration and Production Ukraine Investment (IV) BV” and “Nadra Yuzivska” Ltd within implementation of the product sharing agreement for hydrocarbons to be extracted within Yuzivska area.
A copy of the permit was disclosed only after EPL’s appeal to the Department of State Executive Service of the Ministry of Justice with the request to bring to criminal responsibility officials of the State Service of Geology and Minerals for their failure to implement the ruling of Lviv Administrative Court of Appeal of 11 February 2015.
On 30.12.2015 at the request of International charitable organization “Environment-People-Law” there was started enforcement proceeding to implement the execution letter # 813/7397/13-a of 12.10.2015 issued by Lviv district administrative court according to which the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine is obliged to provide to the International charitable organization “Environment-People-Law” a copy of the special permit for subsoil use pursuant to the product sharing agreement for hydrocarbons, and seven days are allowed for voluntary implementation of this decision that expires on 30.12.15.
However, during this period the court’s decision was not implemented and the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine had to pay a fine twice in accordance with the procedure under Art. 89 of the Law of Ukraine “On Enforcement Proceedings”.
Only the threat of criminal liability has forced the State Service of Geology and Mineral Resources of Ukraine to implement the decision of the court.
On June 29, 2016, EPL finally obtained a copy of the permit for special use of subsoil that was requested on 1 August 2013.
