Australian Onshore Paleozoic Basin Petroleum Potential Analysis

A 2012 report from the Australian Ocean Data Network re-evaluates the petroleum potential of Australia's onshore basins, focusing on Lower Paleozoic and Proterozoic systems. It details exploration activity from 2010 to 2012, noting a near doubling of licensed exploration area and involvement from major international companies. The analysis cites historical oil production from the Ordovician Amadeus Basin and evidence from other basins to assess risks and opportunities.

Use Cases

• Assess hydrocarbon charge risk in the Lower Paleozoic Amadeus, Canning, Arafura, Georgina, and Officer basins using data on maturation history and the Alice Springs Orogeny.
• Evaluate reservoir quality challenges for conventional accumulations mentioned in the report to inform potential application of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies.
• Map the distribution of Cambrian and Ordovician marine shale source rocks deposited in equatorial Gondwana to identify areas with high oil-prone potential.

Strengths

• Report provides a focused analysis on a specific geological period (Lower Paleozoic and Proterozoic) across multiple Australian basins.
• Cites specific historical data points, such as oil production from the Ordovician Amadeus Basin since 1984 and oil shows in other basins.

Limitations

• Primary data format is a PDF/HTML report, not a structured dataset with columns for direct analysis.
• Core analysis is from 2012, potentially missing recent exploration results or technological developments.
• Report is qualitative and analytical, lacking underlying raw numerical data or spatial coordinates.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Geological analysis and synthesis of exploration history and scientific literature.

Time Range

Focuses on exploration activity from 2010-2012 and historical context dating back to 1984.

Freshness

Report published circa 2012, with metadata last updated in 2026.

Geography

Covers onshore Australian basins including Amadeus, Canning, Arafura, Georgina, and Officer basins.