Hydrocarbon Families of the NW Shelf: Molecular and Isotopic Composition

Approximately 300 North West Shelf oil/condensate samples and ~50 gas samples, with existing molecular data for ~1000 gas samples, have been analyzed for biomarkers and isotopic signatures. The dataset, presented at the 2006 AAPG International Conference, provides a regional synthesis of petroleum accumulations in the Bonaparte, Browse, and Carnarvon basins. It characterizes oils and gases into genetically related families and documents regional trends.

Use Cases

• Classify hydrocarbon families based on biomarker signatures mentioned in the description
• Analyze regional trends in gas wetness and non-combustible gas abundance based on molecular data
• Correlate petroleum accumulations with source rock age (Early Carboniferous to Early Cretaceous) as described
• Investigate secondary alteration processes based on variations in biomarker signatures
• Study isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ2H) of deepwater gas accumulations as presented in case studies

Strengths

• Includes biomarker and isotopic analyses of ~300 oil/condensate samples
• Integrates carbon and hydrogen isotopic data for ~50 gas samples with existing molecular data for ~1000 gas samples
• Provides a regional synthesis covering three major basins (Bonaparte, Browse, Carnarvon)

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• Last updated 2026-04-16 14:25:48.895501; freshness should be verified

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Statistical characterization of genetically related families based on biomarker and isotopic analyses.

Geography

North West Shelf of Australia, covering the Bonaparte, Browse, and Carnarvon basins.