Mesozoic tectonostratigraphic evolution of the North Carnarvon Basin unlocked using regional 3D seismic
Daniel Bishop A , Megan Halbert A , Katherine Welbourn A , Ben Boterhoven A , Stacey Mansfield A , Sophia Gerth A and Arief Maulana ABP.
The APPEA Journal 56(2) 564-564 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ15070
Published: 2016
Abstract
Interpretation of regional scale merged 3D seismic data sets covering the North Carnarvon Basin has for the first time enabled a detailed description of Mesozoic stratigraphic and structural features on a basin scale.
Isoproportional slicing of the data enables direct interpretation of Triassic depositional environments, including contrasting low-stand and high-stand fluvial channel complexes, marginal marine clastic systems and reef complexes. Channels vary dramatically between sinuous-straight single channels within low net:gross floodplain successions, to broad channel belts within relatively high net:gross fluvial successions. The latter can be traced from the inboard part of the basin to the outer areas of the Exmouth Plateau. 3D visualisation and interpretation has demonstrated the huge variety of structural styles that are present, including basement-involved extensional faults, detached listric fault complexes, polygonal faults, and regional scale vertical strike-slip faults with flower structures.
Fault trends include north–south, north–northeast to south–southwest, and northeast–southwest, with deformation events occurring mainly between the Rhaetian and Valanginian. Extensional and compressional deformation has created multiple horsts, three-way fault closures, fold belts and associated four-way anticlinal traps. Wrench tectonics may also explain pock-mark trains with the interpreted transfer of over-pressure from Triassic to Early Cretaceous levels. The use of regional scale merged 3D seismic data sets is now shedding light on tectonostratigraphic features on a basin scale that were previously unrecognised or enigmatic on 2D seismic or local 3D seismic data sets.
Daniel Bishop completed his undergraduate degree in geology at the University of Oxford, and a PhD in structural geology and basin evolution at Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. He went on to conduct post-doctoral research on the southern North Sea at the University of Edinburgh, and the Taranaki Basin at Victoria University, Wellington. Dan then worked as an exploration and development geoscientist at Woodside Energy for more than 10 years, working on various Australian, Asian and African basins. Since 2006 Dan has been at BP, leading the technical evaluation of exploration opportunities in Australasia, with a focus on new and emerging plays along the northwest margin of Australia. |
Megan Halbert completed a BSc (Hons) in exploration geophysics from Curtin University of Technology, with her thesis looking at rock physics models for unconsolidated sands and shales. On completion of her degree in 2006, Megan joined BP Australia in the exploration team. Subsequent roles have included appraisal and development work in the North Sea, including 4D studies before returning to work various exploration opportunities around Australia, including BP’s exploration campaign in the Great Australian Bight. Megan is now working on emerging plays along the northwest margin of Australia. |
Katherine Welbourn holds a BSc in environmental geoscience from the University of St Andrews. Katherine joined BP in 2010 initially as an intern working in Aberdeen on the ETAP, North Sea development. After completing her degree she joined the BP challenge program as a geoscientist gaining experience in the new well delivery and reservoir management teams for Angola (PSVM) field developments. Since 2013 Katherine has been working in the Australia exploration team working on a mega-regional interpretation project of the northwest margin to evaluate new and emerging plays. |
Ben Boterhoven received his BSc (Hons) in applied geology from Curtin University of Technology in 2000. He joined Woodside later that year working as a geoscientist on exploration and appraisal projects across Australia’s North West Margin. In 2007, Ben joined BP to work as a development geoscientist in Block 31, Angola. His latest roles are as the North West Shelf Venture Exploration and Appraisal TCM Representative and as a senior geoscientist in BP’s Australian exploration team in Perth, WA. |
Stacey Mansfield completed her undergraduate and master’s degree at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Stacey joined BP in 2007 in the Calgary office, where she worked in production and field development, onshore Canada, and in exploration in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. In 2012, Stacey moved to BP’s Sunbury, UK office to join the Australia exploration team to help describe prospectively in the Bight Basin, offshore SA, and more recently to evaluate existing and emerging plays on the northwest margin of Australia. |
Sophia Gerth attained an MSc degree in geoscience from Durham University, conducting her Masters research on modeling carbon sequestration in the North Sea. On completion of her degree, Sophia was employed by BP in Aberdeen where she worked on North Sea new well delivery before moving into reservoir management and appraisal roles for the Clair Field (UKCS). In 2012 Sophia joined the Australian exploration team; at first focused on Ceduna sub-basin exploration, and now on new and emerging plays along the northwest margin of Australia. |
Arief Maulana holds a bachelor degree in geology from Padjadjaran University, Bandung, Indonesia. After he graduated, he worked for Medco exploration and production Indonesia for five years, and then joined BP in 2011. Arief has mainly worked on exploration activities across different basins in Indonesia, though presently he is working in the exploration team in BP’s Perth office as an exploration geologist. |
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