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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY


TOTAL PETROLEUM SYSTEMS OF THE NORTHWEST SHELF, AUSTRALIA:

THE DINGO-MUNGAROO/BARROW AND
THE LOCKER-MUNGAROO/BARROW

by

Michele G. Bishop1

Open-File Report 99-50-E











UNDISCOVERED PETROLEUM BY ASSESSMENT UNIT
In the Northwest Shelf Province 3948, the primary petroleum system, Dingo-Mungaroo/Barrow TPS 394801, includes one assessment unit, 39480101 (Fig. 1). This assessment unit consists of the sub-basins and the Rankin Platform (Fig. 2). Deep-water fans of Jurassic and Cretaceous age have been successful exploration targets and will continue to be located and tested. Rankin-type traps consisting of tilted fault blocks of Mungaroo Formation are targets in other locations. A recent discovery at Leatherback-1 tested this type of trap along the southern margin of the sub-basin trend. Growth-fault traps associated with formation of the sub-basin trend and the shelf-edge next to the inner structural terrace margin and other sub-basin margins are potential targets. Minor carbonate intervals found within the Jurassic section might be targeted on structural highs or in depositional mound situations. Repeated episodes of regional or eustatic sealevel low-stands produced lowstand erosional valleys that have been identified. These lowstand valley-fill intervals have not been exploration targets, although this type of geological setting has been a successful target in other places in the world. Even Tertiary reservoirs are potential targets as indicated by the Maitland gas discovery, which targeted a seismic HCI (hydrocarbon indicator) (Sit, 1994).
The secondary petroleum system, Locker-Mungaroo/Barrow TPS 394802, includes one assessment unit, 39480201 (Fig. 1). This assessment unit consists of the Exmouth Plateau, the southern and northern portions of the province and a narrow area along the eastern margin of the province. There are many untested tilted fault blocks of Mungaroo Formation remaining in the Exmouth Plateau area. Oil and gas shows in some of these blocks indicate potential discoveries. Targeting tilted fault blocks of Mungaroo Formation on the edges of the Kangaroo trough or other tectonic basins on the Exmouth Plateau may prove successful. Clastic reservoirs formed within basins or fault-block lows on the Exmouth Plateau and sealed by the main unconformity and overlying Muderong Shale might produce reserves like those of North Rankin West field. Basins inverted due to tectonic reactivation of Triassic faults, particularly on the Exmouth Plateau, are seen on seismic data in the Cretaceous section overlying the Exmouth Plateau at Investigator-1. These obvious and more subtle inversions have not yet been well explored.

Exploration continues on the Northwest Shelf with numerous discoveries in the last few years adding significant reserves. Future prospects are numerous and include proven targets in additional locations and greater water depths and new targets yet to be proven.

REFERENCES

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U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 99-50E