Exploration and exploitation
۱. The Enterprise, States Parties, and the other entities referred to in article ۱۵۳, paragraph ۲(b), may apply to the Authority for approval of plans of work for activities in the Area.
۲. The Enterprise may apply with respect to any part of the Area, but applications by others with respect to reserved areas are subject to the additional requirements of article ۹ of this Annex.
۳. Exploration and exploitation shall be carried out only in areas specified in plans of work referred to in article ۱۵۳, paragraph ۳, and approved by the Authority in accordance with this Convention and the relevant rules, regulations and procedures of the Authority.
۴. Every approved plan of work shall:
(a) be in conformity with this Convention and the rules, regulations and procedures of the Authority;
(b) provide for control by the Authority of activities in the Area in accordance with article ۱۵۳, paragraph ۴;
(c) confer on the operator, in accordance with the rules, regulations and procedures of the Authority, the exclusive right to explore for and exploit the specified categories of resources in the area covered by the plan of work. If, however, the applicant presents for approval a plan of work covering only the stage of exploration or the stage of exploitation, the approved plan of work shall confer such exclusive right with respect to that stage only.
۵. Upon its approval by the Authority, every plan of work, except those presented by the Enterprise, shall be in the form of a contract concluded between the Authority and the applicant or applicants.