Western Australia's Canning Basin contains deep formation water with salinity ranging from almost fresh (<1000 mg/L TDS) to brine (>300,000 mg/L TDS). The dataset, sourced from the Australian Ocean Data Network, includes estimates from well logs and measurements from oil-production wells and drill stem tests. Salinity patterns are linked to stratigraphic units, depth, and historical depositional cycles.
Use Cases
- Model salinity distribution based on depth and stratigraphic unit relationships described in the dataset.
- Analyze the influence of evaporite dissolution on salinity, particularly in the Grant Group and Mellinjerie Limestone.
- Study paleo-salinity profiles preserved in low-permeability sediments in low recharge areas.
- Correlate high salinity occurrences with specific sub-basins (Willara, Kidson) and geological formations (Carribuddy Formation, Devonian Reef Complex).
- Investigate the relationship between burial depth and average salinity of stratigraphic units.
Strengths
- Salinity values span a wide range from <1000 mg/L to >300,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).
- Data is spatially specific, identifying high salinity areas in the Willara and Kidson Sub-Basins.
- Links salinity patterns to specific geological formations and depositional cycles (e.g., Ordovician/Silurian evaporites).
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
- Australian Ocean Data Network
- Collection Method
- Estimated from well log data or measured on water samples from oil-production wells and drill stem tests.
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-04-16 15:39:10.551209; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- Canning Basin, Western Australia, including Willara and Kidson Sub-Basins.