Hydrocarbon Families of Australia's Northwest Shelf

Biomarker and isotopic analyses characterize approximately 300 oil and condensate samples from Australia's Northwest Shelf. The data includes carbon and hydrogen isotopic signatures for about 50 gas samples, plus existing molecular data for around 1000 gas samples. This regional synthesis was presented by the Australian Ocean Data Network at the 2006 AAPG International Conference.

Use Cases

• Classify oil samples into genetically related families using biomarker signatures and statistical characterization.
• Analyze regional trends in gas wetness and non-combustible gas abundance using molecular data from ~1000 gas samples.
• Correlate oils to Late Jurassic marine rift-fill source rocks (e.g., lower Vulcan Formation/Dingo Claystone) based on geochemical similarity.
• Interpret maturity differences and secondary alteration processes from variations in biomarker signatures across samples.
• Source gas accumulations from Triassic-Jurassic fluvio-deltaic sediments using carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotopic signatures.

Strengths

• Approximately 300 oil/condensate samples analyzed for biomarkers and isotopes.
• Includes molecular data for a large set of ~1000 gas samples.
• Covers three major Australian basins: Bonaparte, Browse, and Carnarvon.

Limitations

• Sample data and specific column names are unavailable for direct analysis.
• Primary data is presented in a PDF format, limiting machine-readability.
• The core analysis and presentation date from 2006, which may not reflect current exploration.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Laboratory analysis of hydrocarbon samples for biomarkers and stable isotopes.

Time Range

Samples collected over fifty years of exploration prior to 2006.

Freshness

null

Geography

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