Hydrogeological Study of Palaeozoic Aquifers in the Canning Basin, Western Australia

A reconnaissance investigation of major Palaeozoic aquifers in the 430,000 km² Canning Basin, based on data from 30 oil exploration wells. The study, made available by the Australian Ocean Data Network, analyzes groundwater flow, temperature, and salinity to model the formation of Zn-Pb mineral deposits. It was last updated on 2026-06-05.

Use Cases

• Model compaction-driven fluid flow for ore genesis based on described geopressured zones and sandstone lenses.
• Analyze regional groundwater flow patterns based on described flow direction from southeast to west/northwest.
• Assess the relationship between aquifer structure and mineralisation based on the described tectonic and erosional effects on the Poole Sandstone, Grant Group, and Tandalgoo Sandstone.
• Compare present and palaeo hydrogeological regimes based on the study's suggestion of differences from Silurian to Permian conditions.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on data from 30 oil exploration wells, providing a subsurface framework.
• The study area is explicitly defined as the 430,000 km² Canning Basin.
• Provides specific measured ranges for groundwater velocity (0.2 to 0.5 m y⁻¹) and temperature (30 to 83°C).

Limitations

• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The description notes insufficient information on tectonics, palaeotopography, and mineralisation age to fully assess one fluid-flow model.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Reconnaissance study based on analysis of data from 30 oil exploration wells.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-05 07:27:44.569131; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Canning Basin, Western Australia