Unconventional Middle Cambrian Petroleum Systems in the Georgina Basin, Australia

Geoscience Australia's evaluation of shale gas and oil potential in the Georgina Basin, covering approximately 325,000 square kilometers in south-central Australia. The assessment uses methodology from the United States Geological Survey and relies on updated stratigraphy, tectonic history, petrography, geochemistry, and petroleum systems modeling. It focuses on Middle Cambrian source rocks like the Thorntonia Limestone and Arthur Creek Formation.

Use Cases

• Modeling petroleum systems based on described stratigraphy and tectonic history.
• Assessing source rock richness and maturity based on Rock Eval, hydrocarbon, and isotopic data mentioned.
• Identifying geochemical signatures for hydrocarbon migration based on described isotopic and biomarker characteristics.
• Evaluating unconventional resource potential in data-poor areas using basin analogue methodology.

Strengths

• Covers a large geographic area of approximately 325,000 square kilometers.
• Includes specific geochemical measurements, such as TOC up to 15.5% and HI up to 500 mg hydrocarbons/g TOC.
• Assessment methodology is based on USGS-developed statistical estimates.

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.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, via the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Systematic evaluation using USGS methodology, updated stratigraphy, petrography, geochemistry, and petroleum systems modeling.

Time Range

Focus on Proterozoic-Paleozoic, specifically Middle Cambrian sediments.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 18:50:45.302766; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Georgina Basin, south-central Australia.