scholarly journals Unravelling the Triassic Mungaroo Formation within North Carnarvon Basin using Regional Stratal Slice Volumes

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Marsh ◽  
Bill Kowalik ◽  
Rhonda Welch ◽  
Anne Powell ◽  
Heidi Howe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Marine Deposits ◽  
Northern Carnarvon Basin ◽  
Stratal Slice ◽  
Well Data ◽  
Vertical Spacing ◽  
Carnarvon Basin

Chevron has developed a new method for viewing, rendering and interpreting multiple, proportionally-flattened seismic surveys (US patent). The products of this method are referred to as Regional Stratal Slice Volumes (RSSVs). Within the Northern Carnarvon Basin (NCB), local RSSVs contain a patchwork of 22 3D seismic surveys covering an area of approximately 68 000 km2 and comprising a 4+ km-thick succession of alluvial to shallow-marine deposits of the Late Triassic Mungaroo Formation. Seismic slices for each constituent volume were spliced together, correlated with adjacent volumes and combined with supporting structural, cultural and well-based data. This has created a temporal series of unbroken, regionally-extensive, seismic snapshots which, when viewed successively, capture the evolving geomorphology and palaeogeography of the basin from east of Gorgon and Wheatstone out to the Exmouth Plateau. Through the integration of the RSSVs and well data, the shoreline and marginal marine to non-marine transitions were identified and accurately mapped at an approximately 20 m vertical spacing throughout the Mungaroo Formation. This work resulted in an in-depth understanding of changing depositional environments at a regional scale. Observed, temporally-systematic fluctuations of the shoreline on the RSSVs provide a highly predictive stratigraphic framework for the basin. Additionally, RSSVs have been used to provide insight into regional NCB studies and to support localised prospect and field scale evaluations. Over the past three years, RSSVs combined with automatically generated closures have been used to identify significant additions to Chevron’s prospect portfolio.

Mesozoic rift onset and its impact on the sequence stratigraphic architecture of the Northern Carnarvon Basin

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Gartrell ◽  
Jose Torres ◽  
Matt Dixon ◽  
Myra Keep
Keyword(s):  
Marked Change ◽  
Middle Part ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Rift Basins ◽  
Tectonic Event ◽  
Growth Strata ◽  
Stratigraphic Architecture ◽  
Northern Carnarvon Basin ◽  
Carnarvon Basin

Ages varying from Late Triassic to Early Jurassic have been proposed by different authors for the onset of rifting in the Northern Carnarvon Basin. Seismic sections from the Exmouth Sub-basin and outer Exmouth Plateau demonstrate significant growth strata associated with displacement on normal faults starting at least at the base of the R. rhaetica zone (Rhaetian). This tectonic event coincides with a marked change in sequence architecture and a large landward shift (~300 km) of the paleo-shoreline to the vicinity of the Rankin and Alpha Arch trends. Rapid creation of accommodation in the inboard narrow rift basins (Exmouth, Barrow and Dampier sub-basins) is suggested to be the most likely cause of this major transgression. The preferential development of associated carbonate build-ups during the Rhaetian on the footwall side of active tilted fault blocks provides additional evidence for the onset of significant extensional faulting occurring during this time. An earlier more subtle initiation phase of rifting, however, is interpreted during the Norian, from around the middle part of the H. balmei biozone time, above which a change in stratigraphic architecture from aggrading to retrograding occurs. The observed structural and stratigraphic transitions can be related to typical phases of evolution described in many rift basins around the world. The work highlights the importance of integrating regional structural geology, sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems observations to provide robust constraints for basin evolutions.

Mesozoic tectonostratigraphic evolution of the North Carnarvon Basin unlocked using regional 3D seismic

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 564
Author(s):  
Daniel Bishop ◽  
Megan Halbert ◽  
Katherine Welbourn ◽  
Ben Boterhoven ◽  
Stacey Mansfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Single Channels ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
The North ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
3D Seismic Data ◽  
Carnarvon Basin

Interpretation of regional scale merged 3D seismic data sets covering the North Carnarvon Basin has for the first time enabled a detailed description of Mesozoic stratigraphic and structural features on a basin scale. Isoproportional slicing of the data enables direct interpretation of Triassic depositional environments, including contrasting low-stand and high-stand fluvial channel complexes, marginal marine clastic systems and reef complexes. Channels vary dramatically between sinuous-straight single channels within low net:gross floodplain successions, to broad channel belts within relatively high net:gross fluvial successions. The latter can be traced from the inboard part of the basin to the outer areas of the Exmouth Plateau. 3D visualisation and interpretation has demonstrated the huge variety of structural styles that are present, including basement-involved extensional faults, detached listric fault complexes, polygonal faults, and regional scale vertical strike-slip faults with flower structures. Fault trends include north–south, north–northeast to south–southwest, and northeast–southwest, with deformation events occurring mainly between the Rhaetian and Valanginian. Extensional and compressional deformation has created multiple horsts, three-way fault closures, fold belts and associated four-way anticlinal traps. Wrench tectonics may also explain pock-mark trains with the interpreted transfer of over-pressure from Triassic to Early Cretaceous levels. The use of regional scale merged 3D seismic data sets is now shedding light on tectonostratigraphic features on a basin scale that were previously unrecognised or enigmatic on 2D seismic or local 3D seismic data sets.

GEOLOGICAL CONTROLS ON OVERPRESSURE IN THE NORTHERN CARNARVON BASIN

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 573 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.R. Tingate ◽  
A. Khaksar ◽  
P. van Ruth ◽  
D. Dewhurst ◽  
M. Raven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Hydrocarbon Generation ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Cooperative Research ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
Pore Pressure Prediction ◽  
Northern Carnarvon Basin ◽  
Carnarvon Basin

A small, but significant fraction of wells drilled in the Northern Carnarvon Basin have encountered problems with overpressure: better pore pressure prediction would improve safety and economy for drilling operations. In the Northern Carnarvon Basin the occurrence of overpressure and likely mechanisms are under investigation as part of the Australian Petroleum Cooperative Research Centre (APCRC) Research Program on Pore Pressure Prediction. Previous workers have proposed a number of mechanisms as the main cause of overpressure including undercompaction, hydrocarbon generation, horizontal stress and clay reactions.A preliminary regional study was undertaken incorporating over 400 well completion reports which identified approximately 60 wells with mud weights greater than 1.25 S.G. A subset of these wells was investigated and more reliable but much scarcer pressure indicators such as kicks or direct pressure measurements were examined. Depth-pressure profiles of wells across the region are variable and commonly show pressure compartmentalisation. Using a range of indicators, it was observed that overpressured strata in the Barrow Subbasin:occur over a wide depth range (2,500 to 4,000+ mbsl);occur over a wide stratigraphic range (Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous);are not regionally limited by major structural boundaries;are associated with sequences dominated by finegrained sediments with variable clay mineralogy; and in depositionally, or structurally, isolated sandstones; andmainly to the west of the Barrow and Dampier Subbasins around the Alpha Arch and Rankin Trend, coinciding with thickest Tertiary deposition.Previous published work in the study area has tended to support hydrocarbon generation as the primary cause of overpressure, though more recent publications have emphasised compaction disequilibrium. The log response (DT, RHOB and NPHI) of overpressured clay-rich strata has been investigated to constrain the type of overpressure mechanism. A normal compaction trend has been derived for four stratigraphic groupings; Muderong Shale, Barrow Group, Jurassic and Triassic. All overpressure occurrences were accompanied by an increase in sonic transit time. Not all wells have suitable log data for evaluation, but all stratigraphic groups show some evidence of elevated porosity associated with overpressure consistent with disequillibrium compaction as a dominant mechanism. Overpressures in the Barrow Group in Minden-1 and the Jurassic section within Zeepaard–1 do not have accompanying porosity anomalies suggesting a different overpressure mechanism model is needed.

Analysis of overpressure and its generating mechanisms in the northern Carnarvon Basin from drilling data

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 375
Author(s):  
Iko Sagala ◽  
Mark Tingay
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Effective Stress ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Effective Stress Analysis ◽  
Pore Pressure Prediction ◽  
Pressure Indicators ◽  
Northern Carnarvon Basin ◽  
Vertical Effective Stress ◽  
Prediction Techniques ◽  
Carnarvon Basin

The Northern Carnarvon Basin is one of Australia’s most prolific hydrocarbon basins. Overpressure has been encountered in numerous wells drilled in the Northern Carnarvon Basin. Knowledge of overpressure distribution is important for drilling and exploration strategies, and understanding the origin of overpressure is essential for applying reliable pore pressure prediction techniques. Unconventional pore pressure indicators—primarily drilling kicks and the presence of connection gas—were used to improve an updated distribution of overpressure and to investigate the origin of overpressure in the Northern Carnarvon Basin. This unconventional dataset was compiled from 45 wells. Overpressures are observed in 40 wells and tend to occur near, or on, the Rankin Platform, Alpha Arch, and Barrow Trend. The presence of overpressure in this area coincides with the region of maximum Cenozoic deposition. Overpressured strata in the Northern Carnarvon Basin occurs through a wide stratigraphic range, from Late Triassic to Paleocene sequences. Generally, post Paleocene sequences in the Northern Carnarvon Basin are considered to be normally pressured. Porosity-vertical effective stress analysis in shale lithologies was used to investigate the origin of overpressure in the Northern Carnarvon Basin. Porosity-vertical effective stress plots from 28 wells in the Northern Carnarvon Basin identified 20 wells where the overpressure appears to be generated by disequilibrium compaction, and eight wells where the overpressure appears to be generated by a component of fluid expansion. Disequilibrium compaction mechanisms were the predominant cause of overpressure in wells around the Rankin Platform and areas located further away from the coast. Conversely, fluid expansion mechanisms were the predominant cause of overpressure in wells around the Alpha Arch and Bambra Trend, and an area located closer to the coast. These results broadly confirm those obtained from earlier studies and highlight the usefulness of kick and connection gas data in overpressure analysis.

Influence of faulting on reservoir overpressure distribution in the Northern Carnarvon Basin

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Edward Hoskin ◽  
Stephen O'Connor ◽  
Stephen Robertson ◽  
Jurgen Streit ◽  
Chris Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pore Pressure ◽  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Foot Wall ◽  
Geological History ◽  
Pore Pressure Prediction ◽  
Northern Carnarvon Basin ◽  
Well Data ◽  
Carnarvon Basin

The Northern Carnarvon Basin has a complicated geological history, with numerous sub-basins containing varying formation thicknesses, lithology types, and structural histories. These settings make pre-drill pore pressure prediction problematic; the high number of kicks taken in wells shows this. Kicks suggest unexpected pore pressure was encountered and mudweights used were below formation pressure. The horst block penetrated by the Parker–1 well is focused on in this peer-reviewed paper. This horst is one of many lying along Rankin Trend’s strike. In this well, kicks up to 17.2 ppg (pounds per gallon) were taken in the Mungaroo reservoir. The authors investigate whether the kicks represent shale pressure—or rather, represent pressure transferred into foot-wall sandstones—by using well data from Forrest 1/1A/1AST1 and Withnell–1, and wells located in the Dampier Sub-basin and the hanging-wall to the horst. This anomalous pressure could result from either cross-fault flow from juxtaposed overpressured Dingo Claystone or transfer up faults from a deeper source. Using a well data derived Vp versus VES trend, the authors establish that the kicks taken in Parker–1 are more likely to result from pressure transfer using faults as conduits. These data lie off a loading trend and appear unloaded but likely represent elevated sand pressures and not in situ shale pressure. Pressure charging up faults in the Northern Carnarvon Basin has been recognised in Venture 1/1ST1, however, this paper presents a focused case study. Pressure transfer is noted in other basins, notably Brunei. From unpublished data, the authors believe that buried horst blocks, up-fault charging and adjacent overpressured shale may explain high reservoir pressures in other basins, including Nam Con Son in Vietnam.

scholarly journals A review of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic tetrapods from Greenland

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 21-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Marzola ◽  
Octávio Mateus ◽  
Jesper Milàn ◽  
Lars B. Clemmensen
Keyword(s):  
Late Jurassic ◽  
Early Jurassic ◽  
Late Carboniferous ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Late Devonian ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Marine Deposits ◽  
Theropod Dinosaurs

This article presents a synthesis of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic fossil tetrapods from Greenland, including an updated review of the holotypes and a new photographic record of the main specimens. All fossil tetrapods found are from East Greenland, with at least 30 different known taxa: five stem tetrapods (Acanthostega gunnari, Ichthyostega eigili, I. stensioi, I. watsoni, and Ymeria denticulata) from the Late Devonian of the Aina Dal and Britta Dal Formations; four temnospondyl amphibians (Aquiloniferus kochi, Selenocara groenlandica, Stoschiosaurus nielseni, and Tupilakosaurus heilmani) from the Early Triassic of the Wordie Creek Group; two temnospondyls (Cyclotosaurus naraserluki and Gerrothorax cf. pulcherrimus), one testudinatan (cf. Proganochelys), two stagonolepids (Aetosaurus ferratus and Paratypothorax andressorum), the eudimorphodontid Arcticodactylus, undetermined archosaurs (phytosaurs and both sauropodomorph and theropod dinosaurs), the cynodont Mitredon cromptoni, and three mammals (Haramiyavia clemmenseni, Kuehneotherium, and cf. ?Brachyzostrodon), from the Late Triassic of the Fleming Fjord Formation; one plesiosaur from the Early Jurassic of the Kap Stewart Formation; one plesiosaur and one ichthyosaur from the Late Jurassic of the Kap Leslie Formation, plus a previously unreported Late Jurassic plesiosaur from Kronprins Christian Land. Moreover, fossil tetrapod trackways are known from the Late Carboniferous (morphotype Limnopus) of the Mesters Vig Formation and at least four different morphologies (such as the crocodylomorph Brachychirotherium, the auropodomorph Eosauropus and Evazoum, and the theropodian Grallator) associated to archosaurian trackmakers are known from the Late Triassic of the Fleming Fjord Formation. The presence of rich fossiliferous tetrapod sites in East Greenland is linked to the presence of well-exposed continental and shallow marine deposits with most finds in terrestrial deposits from the Late Devonian and the Late Triassic.

scholarly journals New data on the Dogger - Cenomanian stratigraphy of Tripolitza series in Central Crete

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 565
Author(s):  
Α. ΖΑΜΠΕΤΑΚΗ - ΛΕΚΚΑ ◽  
Α. ΑΛΕΞΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Late Eocene ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Late Paleozoic ◽  
Carbonate Microfacies ◽  
Aegean Islands ◽  
Lower Aptian ◽  
Sedimentation Conditions

Tripolitza series represents the eastern part of the Gavrovo - Tripolitza platform. It outcrops in central and southeastern Peloponnesus, Crete and the Aegean islands. Its stratigraphie column starts with a volcano-sedimentary, clastic sequences (the Tyros beds), of Late Paleozoic to Late Triassic age, followed by a carbonate series of Late Triassic to Late Eocene age and a tertiary flysch. On account of intense dolomitisation as well as of rarity of fossils, the stratigraphy of Tripolitza series is not so well known as the Gavrovo series. Recent investigation attempts to complete the puzzle of Tripolitza's stratigraphie column and to reconstruct the paleogeographic sedimentation conditions. In this paper, we study some stratigraphie sections, which are taken in different places in northern – central Crete(Fig.l). New data about the stratigraphy and the sedimentation conditions of the Tripolitza series during Late Dogger to Cenomanian, complete older ones and provide information about the paleogeographic evolution of the platform. Late Dogger is determinated by Pfenderina salernitana. It is overlain by a carbonate series containing Cladocoropsis mirabilis and Macroporella sellii, dating Early Malm. Early Malm (Oxfordian - Early Kimmeridgian) is characterized by the presence of Cladocoropsis mirabilis, Kurnubia palastiniensis, Neokilianina rahonensis, Parurgonina caelinensis. Late Malm (Late Kimmeridgian - Portlandian) is characterized by Clypeina jurassica and Kurnubia palastiniensis. Early Cretaceous (Valanginian - Barremian) is determinated by Salpingoporella katzeri and Orbitolinopsis capuensis. Early Aptian is determinated by Palorbitolina lenticularis, Salpingoporella dinarica, Debarina hahounerensis, Pseudocyclammina hedbergi. Late(?) Aptian comprises Sabaudia minuta, Cuneolina hensoni, Cuneolina laurentii, Glomospira urgoniana. Albian is characterized by the disappearence of Cuneolina hensoni and Cuneolina laurentii, while Praechrysalidina infracretacea and Cretacicladus minervini are present. Late Albian is determined by the presence of "Coskinolina" bronnimanni. Early Cenomanian is not determinated by characteristic microfossils. Upper Cenomanian is overlain in comformity with upper Albian - lower Cenomanian carbonates. It is characterized by Chrysalidina gradata, Pseudorhapydionina dubia, Pseudorhapydionina laurinensis, Nummoloculina heimi, Broeckina balcanica, Nezzazata gyra, Biconcava bentori, Trochospira anvimelechi. Sedimentation took place in a peritidal environment. We observe alternations of subtidal and intratidal to supratidal conditions of sedimentation. Comparison between the carbonate microfacies of different sections representing synchronous deposits on different places of the platform, show lateral differentiation of depositional environments, from subtidal to supratidal, even supported short and local emersive episodes, (compare lower Aptian deposits of Profitis Ilias and Pinakianou sections, upper Albian deposits of Kythia and Karouzanos sections in present paper, as well as upper Cenomanian deposits of Karouzanos section in this paper, Louloudaki section (ZAMBETAKIS-LEKKAS et al. 1995 and Vitina section ZAMBETAKIS et al. 1988, Varassova section BERNIER & FLEURY 1980, Gavrovo mountain I.G.R.S. & I.F.P. 1966)(Fig.2). Similar sedimentation characterize the perimediterranean platforms during this period (SARTONI & CRESCENTI 1962, DE CASTRO 1962, FARINACCI & RADOICIC 1964, GUSIC 1969, GUSIC, NIKLER & SOKAC 1971, VELIC 1977, CHIOCCHINI et. al.1979, LUPERTO SINNI & MASSE 1993).

scholarly journals Middle and late Badenian palaeoenvironments in the northern Vienna Basin and their potential link to the Badenian Salinity Crisis

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Harzhauser ◽  
Patrick Grunert ◽  
Oleg Mandic ◽  
Petra Lukeneder ◽  
Ángela García Gallardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Vienna Basin ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Marine Mollusc ◽  
Potential Link ◽  
Glass Sponges ◽  
Sudden Appearance ◽  
Climate Transition

AbstractHydrocarbon exploration in the Bernhardsthal and Bernhardsthal-Sued oil fields documents an up to 2000 m thick succession of middle and upper Badenian deposits in this part of the northern Vienna Basin (Austria). Based on palaeontological analyses of core-samples, well-log data and seismic surveys we propose an integrated stratigraphy and describe the depositional environments. As the middle/late Badenian boundary is correlated with the Langhian/Serravallian boundary, the cores capture the crucial phase of the Middle Miocene Climate Transition. The middle Badenian starts with a major transgression leading to outer neritic to upper bathyal conditions in the northern Vienna Basin, indicated byBathysiphon-assemblages and glass-sponges. A strong palaeo-relief and rapid synsedimentary subsidence accentuated sedimentation during this phase. The middle/late Badenian boundary coincides with a major drop of relative sea level by about 200 m, resulting in a rapid shift from deeper marine depositional environments to coastal and freshwater swamps. In coeval marine settings, a more than 100 m thick unit of anhydrite-bearing clay formed. This is the first evidence of evaporite precipitation during the Badenian Salinity Crisis in the Vienna Basin. Shallow lagoonal environments with diverse and fully marine mollusc and fish assemblages were established during the subsequent late Badenian re-flooding. In composition, the mollusc fauna differs considerably from older ones and is characterized by the sudden appearance of species with eastern Paratethyan affinities.

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