The Australian Geological Survey Organisation (AGSO) conducted a regional water column geochemical 'sniffer' program on the NW Australian Margin from September to October 1998. The survey acquired 4788 line km of data across 160 lines to detect natural hydrocarbon seepage in the Northern Carnarvon Basin, offshore Canning Basin, Yampi Shelf, and Southern Bonaparte Basin. Methane and ethane concentrations were measured, with notable findings around the Wandoo B Platform and parts of the Yampi Shelf.
Use Cases
- Mapping hydrocarbon seepage locations based on the survey lines and detected concentrations.
- Analyzing methane and ethane concentration gradients in marine water columns.
- Correlating geochemical data with seismic survey lines, such as AGSO lines S165.
- Studying the repeatability of hydrocarbon measurements over time, comparing 1996 and 1998 data.
- Investigating the relationship between hydrocarbon leakage and regional seal thinning onto basement structures.
Strengths
- 4788 line km of sniffer data acquired, providing a substantial survey footprint.
- 160 survey lines completed, offering detailed spatial coverage.
- Data includes specific concentration levels (weak to moderate methane, moderate to strong ethane) for identified locations.
- Survey period and vessel (TSMV Pacific Conquest) are explicitly documented.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Data files are in PDF, ZIP, HTML formats, which may require extraction and conversion for analysis.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Ocean Data Network
- Collection Method
- Acquired via a water column geochemical 'sniffer' program on a contract vessel.
- Time Range
- 21 September to 23 October 1998
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-05-05 04:36:16.335194; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- NW Australian Margin, from Dampier to west of Darwin, covering Northern Carnarvon Basin, offshore Canning Basin, Yampi Shelf, Southern Bonaparte Basin