Fluvioglacial sandstone reservoirs and deposystem analysis in hydrocarbon exploration of Permian Gidgealpa group, southern Cooper basin, south Australia

Conference · Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6327457

Wild, E K; Williams, B P.J.

The sedimentology of the Permian Gidgealpa Group of the southern Cooper basin currently is being evaluated to ascertain the tectono-sedimentologic evolution of the basin and to determine the architecture of the clastic suite in order to generate exploration plays. The Merrimelia Formation of the Gidgealpa Group was examined regionally in 29 cored wells. The formation attains a maximum thickness of 300 m (1000 ft), and representative facies include glaciofluvial outwash, terrestrial and subaqueous diamictites, and glaciolacustrine, wave-affected, and ripple-laminated sandstones, with thick, monotonous mudrock sequences containing clay-dominant rhythmite horizons. The Tirrawarra Sandstone, analyzed in 32 cored wells, comprises four major facies associations throughout its maximum 75 m (250 ft) thickness. These associations indicate a temporal and spatial evolution of a fluvioglacial to predominantly fluvial system. Initial deposition on low slope, outwash fans, where braided processes operated is indicated. This sedimentation style evolved into a low sinuosity, bedload-dominant, sandy braided system, with high width-to-depth ratio channels. Allocyclic control mechanisms are invoke for late Tirrawarra sedimentation as the facies reveal proximal-distal patterns and the fluvial style changes to a mixed-load channel system. The interfacing and evolutionary pattern of the deposystem indicates that additional reserves potential exists for reservoirs developed locally within the Merrimelia Formation.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Bristol, England
• OSTI ID: 6327457
• Report Number(s): CONF-8405216-
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 68:4; Conference: AAPG annual convention, San Antonio, TX, USA, 20 May 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
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NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
EXPLORATION
CLAYS
DEPOSITION
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PERMIAN PERIOD
PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
RESERVOIR ROCK
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTATION
AUSTRALASIA
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
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MINERAL RESOURCES
PALEOZOIC ERA
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ROCKS
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