Geochemical Characteristics of Palaeozoic Petroleum Systems in Northwestern Australia

Isotopic and biomarker analyses characterize five distinct petroleum systems from Cambrian to Permian periods in the Arafura, Bonaparte, and Canning Basins. The dataset includes specific isotopic signatures, such as δ13Csat values ranging from -32‰ to -24‰, and correlates oils to source rock formations like the Middle Cambrian Jigaimara Formation. This research was published by Edwards et al. in The APPEA Journal in 1997.

Use Cases

• Correlating hydrocarbon accumulations to source rocks based on diagnostic isotopic and biomarker signatures described.
• Modeling the maturity and richness of source rocks, such as those in the Larapintine 1 Petroleum System.
• Identifying distinct petroleum systems, like the Gondwanan 1 system, based on heavy isotopic signatures and biomarker abundances.
• Re-evaluating the source of hydrocarbons in regions like the Timor Sea using the described geochemical fingerprints.

Strengths

• Defines five distinct petroleum systems with specific geochemical criteria.
• Includes concrete isotopic measurements, such as δ13Csat values of -32‰ and -24‰.
• Correlates oils to specific geological formations like the Jigaimara, Goldwyer, and Gogo Formations.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is based on a 1997 publication; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au.

Collection Method

Isotopic and biomarker analyses of oils and source rocks.

Time Range

Cambrian to Permian periods.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-23 03:04:08.825391; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Northwestern Australia, including Arafura, Bonaparte (Petrel Sub-basin), and Canning Basins.