Deep Formation Water Salinity in Australia's Canning Basin

Salinity measurements from deep formation water in Western Australia's Canning Basin range from almost fresh (<1000 mg/L TDS) to brines exceeding 300,000 mg/L TDS. Data was estimated from well logs or measured on water samples from oil-production wells and drill stem tests, compiled by the Australian Ocean Data Network. The dataset was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Model salinity-depth relationships using depth and TDS concentration columns to understand basin-scale hydrogeology.
• Map high-salinity zones (>100,000 mg/L TDS) using geographic location data to identify areas like the Willara Sub-Basin influenced by evaporite deposits.
• Analyze salinity trends within specific stratigraphic units like the Grant Group or Mellinjerie Limestone to study the effects of evaporite re-solution.
• Correlate salinity patterns with lithology data to investigate permeability controls on paleo-brine preservation, as seen in the Devonian Reef Complex.
• Reconstruct paleo-salinity profiles by analyzing stacked salinity patterns within thick stratigraphic units from depositional cycles.

Strengths

• Data covers a wide salinity range from <1000 mg/L to >300,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids.
• Analysis includes specific geographic and stratigraphic contexts, such as the Willara Sub-Basin and Ordovician-Silurian formations.

Limitations

• Specific sample size, row count, and column details are unknown.
• Data appears focused on the Canning Basin margins and top few kilometers of sediment, potentially missing deep basin center profiles.
• File formats are PDF and HTML, which may complicate structured data extraction compared to CSV or database formats.

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.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Last updated in April 2026.

Geography

Canning Basin, Western Australia, with specific mention of sub-basins like Willara and Kidson.