Geology and Prospectivity of the Northern Houtman Sub-basin, Offshore Western Australia

Geoscience Australia data provides a geological reassessment of the northern Houtman Sub-basin using seismic reflection data acquired in 2014–15. The study includes mapping of the Moho, basement, and major depositional sequences, along with a 3D geological model covering the survey area. It interprets up to 16 km of Permian–Cretaceous sediment succession to reduce exploration risk in this frontier region.

Use Cases

• Modeling crustal structure and tectonic evolution based on mapped Moho and basement surfaces.
• Assessing petroleum prospectivity based on interpreted syn-rift sequences and depositional phases.
• Correlating regional seismic stratigraphy to develop a new tectonostratigraphic framework.
• Identifying exploration targets based on mapped fault zones and sediment thickness variations.

Strengths

• Based on new seismic reflection data acquired in 2014–15 under a government precompetitive data program.
• Includes a 3D geological model and mapping of major sequences like the up to 10 km thick Permian syn-rift succession.
• Interpretation integrates potential field modelling to show crustal thickness variations from <5 km to >25 km.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Seismic reflection data acquisition and interpretation, integrated with potential field modelling.

Time Range

Data acquired 2014–15; study covers Permian–Cretaceous geological periods.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 15:26:05.127919; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Northern Houtman Sub-basin, offshore Western Australia, part of the Perth Basin.