The southern Bonaparte Gulf, northwest Australia - New exploration plays
- Western Mining Corp., Perth, (Australia)
- Cultus Petroleum, Perth (Australia)
Integration of regional exploration data with new basin model concepts has generated new exploration plays in the offshore area defined as the Southern Bonaparte Gulf. This area represents a unique hydrocarbon habitat significantly different from adjacent areas. Early exploration (seven wells), targeting structural highs, encountered numerous hydrocarbon shows. Of most recent significance, Turtle-1 (1984) targeted a midbasin MS-I high recovering degraded oils in the MS-III section. Turtle-2 (1989) tested an additional 320-m-thick, MS-II onlap, encountering within fractured intervals significant oil and gas influx accompanied by massive lost circulation. Significant live oil (nondegraded) was produced on test despite formation damage inflicted during the 14-day well control period. Within the MS-III section thin incompetent seals and meteoric waters have resulted in small, degraded, low-GOR (gas/oil ratio) oil accumulations. In contrast the MS-II section has competent seals and exhibits high-GOR live oil. In consequence, given suitable models for porosity development, MS-II is highly prospective, indicating new exploratory plays: (1) MS-II fractured, stratigraphic pinch-outs flanking MS-I structures, (2) MS-II stacked turbidites and basin floor fans deposited in salt withdrawal subbasins, (3) MS-II carbonate banks within the subbasin's marginal carbonate complexes, (4) MS-I reefs localized over early salt structures and onlapped by MS-II sediments, and (5) MS-II structural and stratigraphic traps associated with diapiric salt. By virtue of the stratigraphic and structural relationship of MS-U sediments, generally onlapping the flanks of the structural highs originally targeted, these new plays have not been tested in optimal locations. A new phase of exploration specifically targeted at these plays is planned.
- OSTI ID:
- 7091887
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-900605--
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA) Vol. 74:5; ISSN AABUD; ISSN 0149-1423
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
58 GEOSCIENCES
580000 -- Geosciences
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
EXPLORATION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
MINERAL RESOURCES
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POROSITY
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
SALT DEPOSITS
SEDIMENTARY BASINS