authorization — any law, regulation, administrative or contractual provision or instrument issued thereunder by which the competent authorities of a Member State entitle an entity to exercise, on its own behalf and at its own risk, the exclusive right to prospect or explore for or produce hydrocarbons in a geographical area. An authorization may be granted for each activity separately or for several activities at a time 3.

competent authorities — the public authorities, as defined in Article 1 (1) of Directive 90/531/EEC, which are responsible for granting authorization and/or monitoring use thereof 1.

entity — any natural or legal person or any group of such persons which applies for, is likely to apply for or holds an authorization 2.

public entity — borrowed from another act; this instrument states no meaning of its own 4.