Great Artesian Basin 3D Vshale Model With 2,310 Wells

Geoscience Australia's 3D Vshale model for the Great Artesian and Lake Eyre Basins provides a refined architecture of 18 hydrogeological units. The model is populated with volume of shale values calculated on 2,310 wells across the Surat, Eromanga, Carpentaria, and Lake Eyre basins. It was developed as part of the National Groundwater Systems Project to improve hydrogeological conceptualisation and support groundwater management.

Use Cases

• Analyze volume of shale (Vshale) distribution across the 18 GAB-LEB hydrogeological units to map aquifer and aquitard geometry.
• Model sand-shale ratio variability from Vshale values to estimate facies distribution and identify sand-rich areas for potential preferential flow paths.
• Integrate Vshale data with borehole, airborne electromagnetic, and seismic interpretations to infill data and knowledge gaps in the 3D geological model.
• Use the 3D Vshale model as a framework for assessing the impact of water use and climate change on groundwater systems across multiple jurisdictions.

Strengths

• Model is based on data from 2,310 wells, providing a substantial observational foundation.
• Covers 18 distinct hydrogeological units within the Great Artesian and Lake Eyre Basins.
• Represents the second iteration (Version 2.0) of the model, building on and refining previous work.
• Developed as part of a major eight-year, $225 million Australian government-funded geoscience program.

Limitations

• Data gaps exist, particularly requiring further integration of petrophysics and hydrogeological data.
• Major faults and other structural features are not yet incorporated, limiting understanding of fluid flow.
• Primary deliverables are PDF and ZIP files, which may require specialized software for 3D model interrogation and analysis.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, National Groundwater Systems Project.

Collection Method

Vshale values calculated from well data, integrated with 3D geological and hydrogeological surfaces from borehole, airborne electromagnetic, and seismic interpretations.

Time Range

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Freshness

Last updated March 2026.

Geography

Eastern Australia, covering the Great Artesian Basin, Lake Eyre Basin, and the Surat, Eromanga, Carpentaria basins.