Geochemical Analysis of Palaeozoic Petroleum Systems in Northwestern Australia

A 1997 study by Edwards et al. presents isotopic and biomarker analyses of Cambrian to Permian oils and source rocks from the Arafura, Bonaparte, and Canning Basins. The research identifies and characterizes five distinct petroleum systems within the Larapintine and Gondwanan Petroleum Supersystems. It was published in The APPEA Journal and is hosted by the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Use Cases

• Correlating oils to specific source rock formations using diagnostic biomarker signatures like steranes, diasteranes, gammacerane, and 30-norhopanes.
• Identifying petroleum system origins via stable carbon isotope (δ13C) values, such as distinguishing isotopically light Larapintine systems from heavier Gondwanan systems.
• Mapping the geographic distribution of petroleum systems using data from the Arafura Basin, Barbwire-Dampier Terraces, Admiral Bay Fault Zone, and Petrel Sub-basin.
• Assessing source rock richness and maturity for exploration potential, as indicated for the Middle Cambrian Jigaimara Formation in the Arafura Basin.
• Re-evaluating hydrocarbon accumulations by recognizing diagnostic geochemical components, such as Permian-like isotopic signatures in Timor Sea hydrocarbons.

Strengths

• Analysis covers a long geological time range from the Cambrian to Permian periods.
• Characterizes five distinct petroleum systems across three major Australian basins.
• Uses multiple geochemical proxies including stable isotopes and specific biomarker families.

Limitations

• Dataset size, row count, and specific column structure are unknown.
• Primary data is from a 1997 publication, which may not reflect more recent discoveries or analytical techniques.
• Geographic coverage is limited to specific basins in Northwestern Australia.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Isotopic and biomarker analyses conducted on oils and source rocks, published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Time Range

Cambrian to Permian periods (analytical study published in 1997).

Freshness

null

Geography

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