(1) The department may extend the six-month period for an additional six months for a well where drilling operations have been continuous throughout that period. A written request for the extension by the person furnishing the records will not be considered unless it is submitted to the department no more than thirty days before the expiration of the first six-month period. The department shall act upon the request within fifteen days after receipt of the written notification.

(2) The records subject to this paragraph may be excepted from disclosure after the applicable six-month period pursuant to the provisions of subdivision two of section eighty-seven of the public officers law provided, however, that such records cannot be excepted from disclosure for longer than two years after the commencement of the applicable six-month period. A written request for the exception by the person furnishing the records will not be considered unless it is submitted to the department at least thirty days before the expiration date of the applicable six-month period. The request for the exception from disclosure must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Mineral Resources, Records Custodian, Albany, New York. Any person may make a request to the department for disclosure of records pursuant to this subparagraph in accordance with article six of the public officers law. 2. The records which the department has excepted from disclosure pursuant to article six of the public officers law on or before the effective date of this section shall continue to be excepted from disclosure for one year after the effective date of this section or two years from the commencement of actual drilling operations, whichever is later. The person furnishing the records may authorize the release of these records at any time before the expiration of the applicable periods. Any person may make a request to the department for disclosure of records pursuant to this subdivision in accordance with article six of the public officers law.