USE OF THE METHYLPHENANTHRENE INDEX TO CHARACTERISE EXPULSION OF COOPER AND EROMANGA BASIN OILS

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Tupper ◽  
D. M. Burckhardt
Keyword(s):  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Thermal Modelling ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Southern Margin ◽  
Structural Growth ◽  
Oil Source ◽  
Oil Expulsion ◽  
Eromanga Basin ◽  
Cooper Basin

The methylphenanthrene index (MPI) molecular maturity parameter is available for over 100 Cooper and Eromanga Basin oils. Oil maturity data define the threshold and range of expulsion maturity for source rocks and can be used to determine oil-source affinity. Mapping of this maturity range for all potential source rocks identifies areas of greatest oil potential.Cooper and Eromanga oils were expelled over a wide maturity range commencing at 0.6 per cent calculated vitrinite reflectance equivalent in some parts of the basin. Oil occurrence and expulsion maturity are controlled by variations in source quality such that no single expulsion threshold can be applied basin-wide. The full oil potential of the basin will only be realised by selective drilling of prospects with access to source rocks in the 0.60-0.95 per cent vitrinite reflectance range.The timing of oil expulsion is determined by using oil maturity data to calibrate thermal modelling of basin depocentres. Peak expulsion occurred during the Cretaceous and therefore prospects with pre-Tertiary structural growth are favoured.Structural embayments with thick Permian section at the southern margin of the Cooper Basin, plus the flanks of the Patchawarra and Nappamerri troughs, are highly prospective in terms of oil source potential and will be further evaluated by drilling in 1990.

OIL GEOCHEMISTRY AND POTENTIAL SOURCE ROCKS OF THE OFFICER BASIN, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

1980 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.M. McKirdy ◽  
A.J. Kantsler
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
Depositional Environment ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Playa Lake ◽  
Oil Source ◽  
Extractable Organic Matter

Oil shows observed in Cambrian Observatory Hill Beds, intersected during recent stratigraphic drilling of SADME Byilkaoora-1 in the Officer Basin, indicate that oil has been generated within the basin. Shows vary in character from "light" oils exuding from fractures through to heavy viscous bitumen in vugs in carbonate rocks of a playa-lake sequence.The oils are immature and belong to two primary genetic families with some oils severely biodegraded. The less altered oils are rich in the C13 - C25 and C30 acyclic isoprenoid alkanes. Source beds within the evaporitic sequence contain 0.5 - 1.0% total organic carbon and yield up to 1900 ppm solvent-extractable organic matter. Oil-source rock correlations indicate that the oils originated within those facies drilled; this represents the first reported examples of non-marine Cambrian petroleum. The main precursor organisms were benthonic algae and various bacteria.Studies of organic matter in Cambrian strata from five other stratigraphic wells in the basin reveal regional variations in hydrocarbon source potential that relate to differences in precursor microbiota and/or depositional environment and regional maturation. Micritic carbonates of marine sabkha origin, located along the southeast margin of the basin, are rated as marginally mature to mature and good to prolific sources of oil. Further north and adjacent to the Musgrave Block, Cambrian siltstones and shales have low organic carbon values and hydrocarbon yields, and at best are only marginally mature. Varieties of organic matter recognised during petrographic studies of carbonates in the Officer Basin include lamellar alginite (alginite B) and "balls" of bitumen with reflectance in the range 0.2 to 1.4%.

scholarly journals Petroleum Geochemistry Regional Study of Murzuq Basin: Insights from Biomarkers Characteristic, Stable Carbon Isotope and Environmental Characterization

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Aboglila S
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Isotope ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotope ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Crude Oils ◽  
Type I ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Geochemical Parameters ◽  
Rock Eval

This search aims to apply developed geochemical methods to a number of oils and source rock extracts to better establish the features of ancient environments that occurred in the Murzuq basin. Geochemical and geophysical approaches were used to confirm further a source contribution from other Paleozoic formations to hydrocarbon accumulations in the basin. One hundred and forty rock units were collected from B1-NC151, D1-NC174, A1-NC 76, D1-NC 151, F1-NC58, A1-NC 186, P1-NC 101, D1-NC 58, H1-NC58 and A1-NC58 wells. Seven crude oils were collocated A1-NC186, B1-NC186, E2-NC101, F3-NC174, A10-NC115, B10-NC115 and H10-NC115 wells. A geochemical assessment of the studied rocks and oils was done by means of geochemical parameters of total organic carbon (TOC), Rock-Eval analysis, detailed-various biomarkers and stable carbon isotope. The TOC values from B1-NC151 range 0.40% to 8.5%, A1-NC186 0.3% and 1.45, A1-NC76 0.39% to 0.74%, D1-NC151 0.40% to 2.00% to F1-NC58 0.40% to 1.12%. D1_NC174 0.30% to 10 %, P1-NC101 0.80% to 1.35%, D1-NC58 0.5% to 1.10%, H1-NC58 0.20% to 3.50%, A1-NC58 0.40% to 1.60%. The categories of organic matter from rock-eval pyrolysis statistics point to that type II kerogen is the main type, in association with type III, and no of type I kerogen recognized. Vitrinite reflectance (%Ro), Tmax and Spore colour index (SCI) as thermal maturity parameters reflect that the measured rock units are have different maturation levels, ranging from immature to mature sources. acritarchs distribution for most samples could be recognized and Palynomorphs are uncommon. Pristane to phytane ratios (> 1) revealed marine shale to lacustrine of environmental deposition. The Stable carbon isotope ( δ 13 C) values of seven rock-extract samples are -30.98‰ and -29.14‰ of saturates and -29.86‰ to -28.37‰ aromatic fractions. The oil saturate hydrocarbon fractions range between -29.36‰ to -28.67‰ and aromatic are among -29.98 ‰ to -29.55 ‰. The δ 13 C data in both rock extractions and crude oils are closer to each other, typical in sign of Paleozoic age. It is clear that the base of Tanezzuft Formation (Hot shale) is considered the main source rocks. The Devonian Awaynat Wanin Formation as well locally holds sufficient oil prone kerogen to consider as potential source rocks. Ordovician Mamuniyat Formation shales may poorly contain oil prone kerogen to be addressed in future studies. An assessment of the correlations between the oils and potential source rocks and between the oils themselves indicated that most of the rocks extracts were broadly similar to most of the oils and supported by carbon stable isotope analysis results.

THE USE OF PLANT DERIVED BIOMARKERS FOR CORRELATION OF OILS WITH SOURCE ROCKS IN THE COOPER/EROMANGA BASIN SYSTEM, AUSTRALIA

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 310 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Alexander ◽  
A.V. Larcher ◽  
R.I. Kagi ◽  
P.L. Price
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Biological Marker ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Chemical Marker ◽  
First Time ◽  
Basin System ◽  
Eromanga Basin ◽  
Cooper Basin

Whether or not the sediments in the Eromanga Basin have generated petroleum is a problem of considerable commercial importance which remains contentious as it has not yet been resolved unequivocally. Sediments of the underlying Cooper Basin were deposited throughout the Permian and much of the Triassic, and deposition in the overlying Eromanga Basin commenced in the Early Jurassic and extended into the Cretaceous. As Araucariaceae (trees of the kauri pine group) assumed prominence for the first time in the Early to Middle Jurassic and were all but absent in older sediments, a promising approach would seem to be using the presence or absence of specific araucariacean chemical marker signatures as a means of distinguishing oils formed from source rocks in the Eromanga Basin from those derived from the underlying Cooper Basin sediments.The saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon compositions of the sediment extracts from the Cooper and Eromanga Basins have been examined to identify the distinctive fossil hydrocarbon markers derived from such resins. Sediments from the Eromanga Basin, which contain abundant micro-fossil remains of the araucariacean plants, contain diterpane hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons which bear a strong relationship to natural products in modern members of the Araucariaceae. Sediments from the Permo-Triassic Cooper Basin, which predate the Jurassic araucariacean flora, have different distributions of diterpane biomarkers and aromatic hydrocarbons.Many oils found in the Cooper/Eromanga region do not have the biological marker signatures of the Jurassic sediments and appear to be derived from the underlying Permian sediments; however, several oils contained in Jurassic to Cretaceous reservoirs show the araucariacean signature of the associated Jurassic to Early Cretaceous source rock sediments. It is likely, therefore, that these oils were sourced and reservoired within the Eromanga Basin and have not migrated from the Cooper Basin sequences below. Accordingly, exploration strategies in the Cooper Eromanga system should include prospects that could have been charged with oil from mature Jurassic/Early Cretaceous sediments of the Eromanga Basin.

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AUSTRALIA'S SOUTHERN MARGIN PETROLEUM SYSTEMS

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S. Edwards ◽  
H.I.M. Struckmeyer ◽  
M.T. Bradshaw ◽  
J.E. Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Petroleum System ◽  
Geochemical Characteristics ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Liquid Hydrocarbons ◽  
Petroleum Systems ◽  
Tectonic History ◽  
Southern Margin ◽  
History Of ◽  
Oil Source

The hydrocarbons discovered to date on the southern margin of Australia have been assigned to the Austral Petroleum Supersystem based on the age of their source rocks and common tectonic history. Modelling of the source facies distribution within this supersystem using tectonic, climatic and geographic history of the southern margin basins, suggests the presence of a variety of source rocks deposited in saline playa lakes, fluvial, lacustrine, deltaic and anoxic marine environments.Testing of the palaeogeographic model using geochemical characteristics of liquid hydrocarbons confirms the three-fold subdivision (Al, A2 and A3) of the Austral Petroleum Supersystem.Bass Basin oils are assigned to the Austral 3, Eastern View Petroleum System. The presence of oleanane in the biomarker assemblages of these oils, together with their negatively sloping, heavy, isotopic profiles, indicate derivation from Upper Cretaceous-Tertiary fluvio–deltaic source facies.In the eastern Otway Basin, oils of the Austral 2, Eumeralla Petroleum System are sourced by Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) coaly facies. Oil shows reservoired in the Wigunda Formation at Greenly-1 in the Duntroon Basin are possibly sourced from the Borda Formation and are assigned to the Austral 2, Borda Petroleum System.In the western Otway, Duntroon and Bight basins, a lack of definitive oil-source rock correlations precludes the identification of individual Austral 1 petroleum systems.

Interpretation of the Geochemistry of Oils of Taranaki and West Coast Region, Western New Zealand

1988 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Cook
Keyword(s):  
West Coast ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Common Source ◽  
The West ◽  
High Hydrogen ◽  
Detailed Chemistry ◽  
Bulk Chemical ◽  
Oil Source

The predominant hydrocarbons produced in the Taranaki Basin are gas condensates, although oil has been discovered at several widespread locations and therefore remains a priority exploration objective. Study of the oil geochemistry by means of bulk chemical characteristics, isotope and biomarker content improves our understanding of their source rocks and maturation histories. Results show that the oils and condensates throughout the region are similar in their bulk chemical character, source environment and levels of maturation suggesting a common source for all the hydrocarbons. The source environments as indicated by biomarkers were terrestrial fresh water swamps with low bacterial anoxic conditions. The primary plant material deposited was vascular plant debris, and onshore in northern Taranaki and in the Murchison Basin, angiosperm debris was an important additional component. These angiosperm indicators are absent from the West Coast and southeastern Taranaki oils and condenstates. The overall environment of the oil sources rocks is similar to that which formed the high volatile coals of the West Coast. These coals, on source rock analyses, also reveal a perhydrous character equivalent to the high hydrogen index normally associated with marine oil source rocks. Maturation levels of the oils, equivalent to a vitrinite reflectance level of Ro 1.0% are indicated by biomarkers. The highest maturation levels reached by drilling so far are 0.9%. suggesting that oil source rocks in Taranaki Basin are at or below the maximum drilled depth of 5.5 km. After generation, the oils of the West Coast were slightly biodegraded as suggested by their low paraffin wax content. However, valid biomarker interpretations for source and maturation conditions are still possible. The widespread occurrences of oil and the consistent nature of the detailed chemistry of the oils suggest that in addition to gas condensate there is a reasonable prospectivity for oil especially in and adjacent to the Central Graben are of the Taranaki Basin and in parts of the West Coast.

scholarly journals Petroleum Geology and Geochemistry of Oils and Possible Source Rocks of the Southern East Coast Basin, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Nils Erik Elgar
Keyword(s):  
Source Rock ◽  
Black Shale ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Higher Plant ◽  
Marine Organic Matter ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
Oil Source

<p>The East Coast Basin of New Zealand contains up to 10,000 m of predominantly fine-grained marine sediments of Early Cretaceous to Pleistocene age, and widespread oil and gas seepages testify to its status as a petroleum province. A suite of oils and possible source rocks from the southern East Coast Basin have been analysed by a variety of geochemical techniques to determine the hydrocarbon potential and establish oil-oil and oil-source rock correlations. Results of TOC and Rock-Eval pyrolysis indicate that the latest Cretaceous Whangai Formation and Paleocene Waipawa Black Shale represent the only good potential source rock sequences within the basin. The middle to Late Cretaceous Glenburn and Te Mai formations, previously considered good potential source rocks, are organic-rich (TOC contents up to 1.30% and 1.52% respectively), but comprise predominantly Types III and IV (structured terrestrial and semi-opaque) kerogen and, therefore, have little hydrocarbon generative potential (HI values < 50). Early Cretaceous and Neogene formations are shown to have low TOC contents and have little source rock potential. The Waipawa Black Shale is a widespread, thin (< 50 m), dark brown, non-calcareous siltstone. It contains up to 1.9% sulphur and elevated quantities of trace metals. Although immature to marginally mature for hydrocarbon generation in outcrop, it is organic-rich (TOC content up to 5.69%) and contains oil and gas-prone Types II and III kerogen. The extracted bitumen comprises predominantly marine algal and terrestrial higher plant material and indicates that deposition occurred under conditions of reduced oxygen with significant anoxic episodes. The Whangai Formation is a thick (300-500 m), non-calcareous to calcareous siliceous mudstone. Although immature to marginally mature in outcrop, the Upper Calcareous and Rakauroa members have a TOC content up to 1.37% and comprise oil and gas-prone Types II and III (structured aqueous and structured terrestrial) kerogen. Bitumen extracts comprise predominantly marine organic matter with a moderate terrestrial higher plant component and indicate that deposition occurred under mildly reducing conditions, with periodic anoxic episodes indicated for the Upper Calcareous Member. Two families of oils are recognised in the southern East Coast Basin. The Kerosene Rock, Westcott, Tiraumea and Okau Stream oils comprise both algal marine and terrestrial higher plant material and were deposited under periodically anoxic conditions. They are characterised by high relative abundances of unusual C30 steranes (C30 indices of 0.24-0.40) and 28,30-bisnorhopane, low proportions of C28 steranes and isotopically heavy [delta] 13C values (-20.9 to -23.0 [per mil]). The Waipatiki and Tunakore oils from southern Hawke's Bay and the Kora-1 oil from the northern Taranaki Basin have similar geochemical characteristics and are also included in this family of oils. These same characteristics are also diagnostic of the Waipawa Black Shale and an oil-source rock correlation is made on this basis. The Knights Stream and Isolation Creek oils are derived from predominantly marine organic matter with a moderate terrestrial angiosperm contribution, and characterised by low relative abundances of C30 steranes (C30 indices of 0.06-0.12) and 28,30-bisnorhopane, high proportions of C28 steranes and isotopically light [delta] 13C values (-26.8 to -28.9 [per mil]). Also included in this family of oils, with a slightly greater marine influence, are the major seep oils of the northern East Coast Basin (Waitangi, Totangi and Rotokautuku). A tentative oil-source rock correlation with the Upper Calcareous and Rakauroa members of the Whangai Formation is based on their similar geochemical characteristics.</p>

scholarly journals Evaluation of the quality, thermal maturity and distribution of potential source rocks in the Danish part of the Norwegian–Danish Basin

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 1-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik I. Petersen ◽  
Lars H. Nielsen ◽  
Jørgen A. Bojesen-Koefoed ◽  
Anders Mathiesen ◽  
Lars Kristensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Source Rock ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Lower Jurassic ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Thermal Maturity ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Petroleum Generation

The quality, thermal maturity and distribution of potential source rocks within the Palaeozoic–Mesozoic succession of the Danish part of the Norwegian-Danish Basin have been evaluated on the basis of screening data from over 4000 samples from the pre-Upper Cretaceous succession in 33 wells. The Lower Palaeozoic in the basin is overmature and the Upper Cretaceous – Cenozoic strata have no petroleum generation potential, but the Toarcian marine shales of the Lower Jurassic Fjerritslev Formation (F-III, F-IV members) and the uppermost Jurassic – lowermost Cretaceous shales of the Frederikshavn Formation may qualify as potential source rocks in parts of the basin. Neither of these potential source rocks has a basinwide distribution; the present occurrence of the Lower Jurassic shales was primarily determined by regional early Middle Jurassic uplift and erosion. The generation potential of these source rocks is highly variable. The F-III and F-IV members show significant lateral changes in generation capacity, the best-developed source rocks occurring in the basin centre. The combined F-III and F-IV members in the Haldager-1, Kvols-1 and Rønde-1 wells contain 'net source-rock' thicknesses (cumulative thickness of intervals with Hydrogen Index (HI)> 200 mg HC/g TOC) of 40 m, 83 m, and 92 m, respectively, displaying average HI values of 294, 369 and 404 mg HC/g TOC. The Mors-1 well contains 123 m of 'net source rock' with an average HI of 221 mg HC/g TOC. Parts of the Frederikshavn Formation possess a petroleum generation potential in the Hyllebjerg-1, Skagen-2, Voldum-1 and Terne-1 wells, the latter well containing a c. 160 m thick highly oil-prone interval with an average HI of 478 mg HC/g TOC and maximum HI values> 500 mg HC/g TOC.The source-rock evaluation suggests that a Mesozoic petroleum system is the most likely in the study area. Two primary plays are possible: (1) the Upper Triassic – lowermost Jurassic Gassum play, and (2) the Middle Jurassic Haldager Sand play. Potential trap structures are widely distributed in the basin, most commonly associated with the flanks of salt diapirs. The plays rely on charge from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) or uppermost Jurassic – lowermost Cretaceous shales. Both plays have been tested with negative results, however, and failure is typically attributed to insufficient maturation (burial depth) of the source rocks. This maturation question has been investigated by analysis of vitrinite reflectance data from the study area, corrected for post-Early Cretaceous uplift. A likely depth to the top of the oil window (vitrinite reflectance = 0.6%Ro) is c. 3050–3100 m based on regional coalification curves. The Frederikshavn Formation had not been buried to this depth prior to post-Early Cretaceous exhumation, and the potential source rocks of the formation are thermally immature in terms of hydrocarbon generation. The potential source rocks of the Fjerritslev Formation are generally immature to very early mature. Mature source rocks in the Danish part of the Norwegian–Danish Basin are thus dependent on local, deeper burial to reach the required thermal maturity for oil generation. Such potential kitchen areas with mature Fjerritslev Formation source rocks may occur in the central part of the study area (central–northern Jylland), and a few places offshore. These inferred petroleum kitchens are areally restricted, mainly associated with salt structures and local grabens (such as the Fjerritslev Trough and the Himmerland Graben).

PETROLEUM GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE MURTA MEMBER, MOOGA FORMATION, AND ASSOCIATED OILS, EROMANGA BASIN

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 114 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.G. Powell ◽  
C.J. Boreham ◽  
D.M. McKirdy ◽  
B.H. Michaelsen ◽  
R.E. Summons
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Hydrocarbon Composition ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Marine Oils ◽  
Algal Organic Matter ◽  
Conventional Oil ◽  
Effective Source ◽  
Eromanga Basin ◽  
Chemical Evidence

An investigation has been made of the source potential, degree of maturation and hydrocarbon composition of selected oils and sediments in the Murta Member in ATP 267P and the Moomba and Napacoongee- Murteree Blocks (PEL 5 and 6), Eromanga Basin. Shales in the Murta Member contain low amounts (up to 2.5% TOC) of terrestrial oil- prone organic matter (Types II–III) which consists predominantly of sporinite, lipto- detrinite and inertinite with lower amounts of vitrinite, although some samples contain relatively abundant telalginite. Extractable hydrocarbon yields demonstrate that parts of the Murta Member are effective source rocks at present maturation levels, which are at the threshold of the conventional oil window (vitrinite reflectance = 0.5- 0.6% Ro).Oils from Murta reservoirs in ATP 267P (Kihee, Nockatunga and Thungo) all show the characteristics found by previous analyses of many Murta oils, namely paraffinic, low wax, and high pristane- to- phytane ratios. In contrast Murta oils from Limestone Creek and Biala are waxy. All oils show chemical evidence of generation at relatively low maturation levels. Gas chromatograms of the saturate fractions from the best source facies show the same characteristics noted for the low- wax oils. Samples with lower source potential in contrast contain relatively abundant waxy n- alkanes. Methylphenan- threne Indices and biomarker maturation indicators obtained from the oils show the same values as were measured on sediment samples from the Murta. Hence the oils could not have been derived from deeper, more mature source rocks. The distribution of biomarkers in the low- wax oils is also consistent with an origin from the Murta Member. A corresponding source facies for the high- wax oils has not yet been located. However, chemical maturation indices also suggest a source in the Murta Member or in immediately adjacent strata.The unusual circumstances represented by the Murta oils (low maturity, low- wax terrestrial oils) provide evidence for bacterial contribution to the source material for non- marine oils. Both the low- wax oils and the best source facies contain abundant hydrocarbons derived from bacterial precursors. This bacterial organic matter appears to yield hydrocarbons at an earlier stage of maturation than the predominantly terrestrial plant and algal organic matter with which it is associated. In the case of the Murta Member there are sufficient hydrocarbons generated at relatively low maturity to allow migration to occur. Chemical evidence suggests a low contribution from algal organic matter to the generated hydrocarbons.

HYDROCARBON GENERATION, MIGRATION AND ENTRAPMENT IN THE JACKSON-NACCOWLAH AREA, ATP 259P, SOUTHWESTERN QUEENSLAND

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.W. Vincent I.R. Mortimore ◽  
D.M. McKirdy
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Hydrocarbon Generation ◽  
Structural Development ◽  
Southeastern Part ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Early Tertiary ◽  
Oil Generation ◽  
Oil Source ◽  
Eromanga Basin

The northern part of the Naccowlah Block, situated in the southeastern part of the Authority to Prospect 259P in southwestern Queensland, is a major Eromanga Basin hydrocarbon province. The Hutton Sandstone is the main reservoir but hydrocarbons have been encountered at several levels within the Jurassic-Cretaceous sequence. In contrast, the underlying Cooper Basin sequence is generally unproductive in the Naccowlah Block although gas was discovered in the Permian at Naccowlah South 1. Oil and gas discoveries within the Eromanga Basin sequence are confined to the Naccowlah-Jackson Trend. This trend forms a prominent high separating the deep Nappamerri Trough from the shallower, more stable northern part of the Cooper Basin.The Murta Member is mature for initial oil generation along the Naccowlah-Jackson Trend and has sourced the small oil accumulations within this unit and the underlying Namur Sandstone Member. The Birkhead Formation is a good source unit in this area with lesser oil source potential also evident in the Westbourne Formation and 'basal Jurassic'. Source quality and maturation considerations imply that much of the oil discovered in Jurassic reservoirs along the Naccowlah-Jackson Trend was generated from more mature Jurassic source beds in the Nappamerri Trough area to the southwest. Maturation modelling of this deeper section suggests that hydrocarbon generation from Jurassic source units commenced in the Early Tertiary. Significant oil generation and migration has therefore occurred since the period of major structural development of the Naccowlah-Jackson Trend in the Early Tertiary. This trend, however, has long been a major focus for hydrocarbon migration paths out of the Nappamerri Trough as a result of intermittent structuring during the Mesozoic. Gas reservoired in Jurassic sandstones at Chookoo has been generated from more mature Jurassic source rocks in the deeper parts of the Nappamerri Trough.Permian sediments in the Nappamerri Trough area are overmature for oil generation and are gas prone. Gas generated in this area has charged the lean Permian gas Field at Naccowlah South, along the Wackett-Naccowlah- Jackson Trend. North of this trend Permian source rocks are mainly gas prone but more favourable levels of maturity allow the accumulation of some gas liquids and oil. However, geological and geochemical evidence suggests that Permian sediments did not source the oil found in Jurassic-Cretaceous reservoirs in the Jackson- Naccowlah area.

Constraining Late Cretaceous exhumation in the Eromanga Basin using sonic velocity data

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Mitchell Keany ◽  
Simon Holford ◽  
Mark Bunch
Keyword(s):  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Vitrinite Reflectance ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Seal Integrity ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Petroleum Wells ◽  
Eromanga Basin

Exhumation in sedimentary basins can have significant consequences for their petroleum systems. For example, source rocks may be more mature than their present-day burial depths suggest, increased compaction can result in reduced reservoir quality, and seal integrity problems are commonly encountered. The Eromanga Basin in central Australia experienced an important phase of exhumation during the Late Cretaceous, though the magnitude and spatial distribution of exhumation is poorly constrained. In this study exhumation magnitudes have been determined for 100 petroleum wells based on sonic transit time analyses of fine grained shales, siltstones and mudstones within selected Cretaceous stratigraphic units. Observed sonic transit times are compared to normal compaction trends (NCTs) determined for suitable stratigraphic units. The Winton Formation and the Bulldog Shale/Wallumbilla Formation were chosen for analysis in this study for their homogenous, fine-grained and laterally extensive properties. Exhumation magnitudes for these stratigraphic units are statistically similar. Results show net exhumation in the southern Cooper-Eromanga Basin (<500 m [~1,640 ft]) and higher net exhumation magnitudes (up to 1,400 m [~3,937 ft]) being recorded in the northeastern margins of the basin. Gross exhumation magnitudes show significant variation across short distances suggesting different tectonic processes acting upon the basin. Independent vitrinite reflectance and apatite fission track analysis data, available for a subset of wells, give statistically similar exhumation magnitudes to those that have been calculated through the compaction methodology, giving confidence in these results. The effect on source rock generation is illustrated through 1D basin modelling where exhumation is shown to impact the timing and type of the hydrocarbons generated. The improved quantification of this exhumation permits a better understanding of the Late Cretaceous tectonics and palaeogeography of central Australia.

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