Resource potential of the Proterozoic–Paleozoic Carrara depocentre, South Nicholson region, Australia: Insights from stratigraphic drilling

Grosjean, E.; Jarrett, A.J.M.; Boreham, C.J.; Wang, L.; Johnson, L.; Hope, J.M.; Ranasinghe, P.; Brocks, J.J.; Bailey, A.H.E.; Butcher, G.A.; Carson, C.J.

doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2023.104688

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…These data are complemented by programmed pyrolysis on 178 samples to assess the hydrocarbon-generating potential of sampled cores using a Rock-Eval 6 instrument (Butcher et al 2023). Rock-Eval pyrolysis data on these newly collected samples were checked for quality using methods described in Grosjean et al (2023). In addition, a total of 45 thin sections from 3 drill holes (Fig.…”

Section: Samples and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Source rocks of the Birrindudu Basin: perspectives from a new sampling program

Butcher,

Grosjean,

Palu

et al. 2024

Aust. Energ. Prod. J.

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The Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic Birrindudu Basin is an underexplored frontier basin straddling the Northern Territory and Western Australia, and is a region of focus for the second phase of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program (2020–2024). Hydrocarbon exploration in the Birrindudu Basin has been limited and a thorough assessment of the basin’s petroleum potential is lacking due to the absence of data in the region. To bridge this data gap, a comprehensive analytical program including organic petrology, programmed pyrolysis and oil fluid inclusion analysis was undertaken on cores from six drill holes to improve the understanding of the basin’s source rock potential and assess petroleum migration. Organic petrological analyses reveal that the primary maceral identified in the cores is alginite mainly originating from filamentous cyanobacteria, while bitumen is the most common unstructured secondary organic matter. New reflectance data based on alginite and bitumen reflectance indicate the sampled sections have reached a thermal maturity suitable for hydrocarbon generation. Oil inclusion analyses provide evidence for oil generation and migration, and hence elements of a petroleum system are present in the basin.

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Section: Samples and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given that the collected rocks are Paleo-to Mesoproterozoic in age, the maceral alginite in this case is presumably derived from prokaryotic organic matter including filamentous cyanobacteria rather than algae. Inputs from modern eukaryotes, such as algae, were likely negligible at the time (Faiz et al 2022;Grosjean et al 2023).…”

Section: Source Rock Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Source rocks of the Birrindudu Basin: perspectives from a new sampling program

Butcher,

Grosjean,

Palu

et al. 2024

Aust. Energ. Prod. J.

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“…Fifteen cutting samples from Manbulloo S1 were used to measure bitumen reflectance (BRo, %) to assess the thermal maturity (Pangaea 2015b). The equation developed by Luo et al (2021) was used to convert the bitumen reflectance to an equivalent vitrinite reflectance (EqVR, %) (Grosjean et al 2023). The average EqVR of the Fraynes Formation is 1.68% in Manbulloo S1.…”

Section: Thermal Maturitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…median and maximum TOC contents of 0.83 and 4.98%, respectively. The generative potentials for both oil and gas were estimated using the original TOC content, original hydrogen index and thermal maturity data (Ruble et al 2016;Grosjean et al 2023)…”

Section: Hydrocarbon Generating Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unconventional hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Paleoproterozoic Fraynes Formation in Manbulloo S1, Northern Territory

Wang,

Bailey,

Grosjean

et al. 2024

Aust. Energ. Prod. J.

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The Paleoproterozoic Fraynes Formation in the Birrindudu Basin is a chronostratigraphic equivalent to the prospective Barney Creek Formation in the McArthur Basin and yet a comparable understanding of its source potential is lacking. As part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program, this study aims to assess the hydrocarbon generating potential and shale gas prospectivity of the Fraynes Formation in the exploration drill hole Manbulloo S1 through the reconstruction of the original source-rock characteristics and well log interpretation. Internal units inside the Fraynes Formation were defined according to sedimentary facies. The hydrocarbon generation potential was estimated from the calculated original total organic carbon content, hydrogen index and thermal maturity data measured from bitumen reflectance data. The shale total porosity was re-interpreted from bulk density logs by removing the organic matter effect, adding organic porosity for the organic-rich shales, and updating the water saturation. The maximum amount of gas generated from the organic-rich source rocks is 3969, 2769 and 1912 Mcf/a-ft assuming the kerogen compositions of 100% Type I, mix of 50–50% Type I and II, and 100% Type II, respectively. The richness of organic matter and interpreted water saturation (<100%) imply favourable shale gas prospectivity in the Fraynes Formation. This work expands our knowledge on the potential unconventional energy resources in the west of the greater McArthur Basin.

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Resource potential of the Proterozoic–Paleozoic Carrara depocentre, South Nicholson region, Australia: Insights from stratigraphic drilling

Cited by 2 publications

References 56 publications

Source rocks of the Birrindudu Basin: perspectives from a new sampling program

Source rocks of the Birrindudu Basin: perspectives from a new sampling program

Unconventional hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Paleoproterozoic Fraynes Formation in Manbulloo S1, Northern Territory

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