Project 9131.20: Hydrocarbon Gas Geochemistry in Otway and Gippsland Basin Sediments

342 sediment locations were sampled for light hydrocarbon gases (C1-C6) during a 21-day research cruise in April/May 1988. The data, from the BMR Fossil Fuels Project, identified thermogenic hydrocarbons at 42 locations across the offshore Otway and Gippsland Basins. Results suggest principal liquid hydrocarbon source rocks are at the base of the Early Cretaceous Otway Group.

Use Cases

• Identify thermogenic hydrocarbon seepage zones based on near-surface sediment gas measurements.
• Assess hydrocarbon source rock maturity and type based on wet gas content ratios (C2-C4/C1-C4).
• Model basin-scale hydrocarbon migration pathways by integrating gas concentration data with fault maps.
• Correlate surface geochemical anomalies with subsurface source rock intervals like the Pretty Hill Sandstone.

Strengths

• Data covers 342 specific sampling locations on the continental shelf and slope.
• Findings are spatially detailed, identifying 7 locations on the Crayfish Platform, 7 on the Mussel Platform, and 18 in the Voluta Trough.
• Analysis integrates geochemical data with thermal maturation modeling and well data.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data is from a 1988 cruise; freshness should be verified for modern applications.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Ship-based geochemical and sedimentological research program on the BMR vessel 'Rig Seismic'.

Time Range

April/May 1988

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 09:20:44.997386; freshness should be verified

Geography

Offshore Otway Basin (17 days) and Gippsland Basin (4 days), Australia