Tectonostratigraphic framework of the Lower Keraudren Formation, Bedout Sub-basin: interplay of tectonics and sedimentary systems
Jon Minken A B , Melissa Thompson A , Jack Woodward A , Fred Fernandes A and Rylan Fabrici AA Quadrant Energy Limited, Level 9 100 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: jon.minken@quadrantenergy.com.au
The APPEA Journal 58(2) 839-844 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17170
Accepted: 13 March 2018 Published: 28 May 2018
Abstract
Recent drilling activity and new seismic data have contributed to the understanding of the Lower Keraudren Formation in the Bedout Sub-Basin. The Lower Keraudren Formation is a thick (>5 km) succession of strata that was deposited rapidly during the Anisian of the Middle Triassic. Distinctive characteristics related to sediment provenance, sediment supply and accommodation have facilitated subdivision of the Formation into eight informal units: the Milne, Crespin, Baxter, Caley, Hove, Barret, Palma, and Huxley members.
Tectonic elements of the East Gondwana Interior Rift and the Bedout High influenced the Sub-basin geometry during deposition of the Lower Keraudren. Extensional tectonics of the East Gondwana Interior Rift generated a series of Palaeozoic tilted fault blocks and grabens, which influenced the stratigraphic architecture, sediment dispersal patterns and distribution of reservoir and source rock facies. The structurally proud Bedout High, a roughly circular (~60 km wide) igneous feature, created a northern boundary to deposition.
Seismic stratigraphic interpretation has characterised the interval as a series of north west prograding wedges. Well based data indicates the section is dominated by fluvio-deltaic deposits. Separating the Caley and Hove Members is a significant unconformity that is associated with renewed uplift of the Bedout High and a change in sediment provenance. Chemostratigraphy and petrology indicates the Caley and older strata were derived from a more mature sediment source, whereas the Hove and younger a more immature metamorphic source. Distinct changes in reservoir quality are observed above and below the Caley–Hove unconformity. Below the unconformity, the older, more mature sandstones exhibit superior reservoir quality compared with the younger, more immature sandstones.
Keywords: Barrret, Baxter, Caley, Crespin, Hove, Huxley, Palma, Milne.
Jon Minken is a Senior Staff Geologist at Quadrant Energy Pty Ltd with more than 14 years of experience in the petroleum industry. He received a BSc (Hons) from University of Alberta in 2002 and an MSc (Hons) from the University of Oklahoma in 2004. Since joining the industry, Jon has explored for hydrocarbons in Australia, South Atlantic Margins, South-east Asia, East Africa and Canada. |
Melissa Thompson has more than 26 years of experience in the petroleum industry with independent EandP companies in both Australia and internationally, working a variety of basins. With a broad exploration skill set, she has led successful exploration teams in opening up new plays and petroleum systems on the North-west Shelf and in North Africa. She has held various roles with Apache/Quadrant since joining in 2001, and is currently General Manager Exploration. Melissa holds a BSc (Petroleum Geology Hons I) from Sydney University, Australia and is a member of PESA. |
Jack Woodward graduated in 1990 from the University of NSW with a BSc (Hons) in Geophysics/Geology. He initially worked in Sydney, Australia with Bridge Oil and Parker and Parsley Australasia Ltd before heading overseas to work in Oman and Malaysia with Petroleum Development of Oman and Shell Sarawak Berhad. On his return to Australia he worked for Origin Energy and BHP Petroleum before joining Apache Energy/Quadrant Energy in 2011, where he works as a Development Geoscience Manager. He is a member of EAGE, SEG and PESA. |
Fred Fernandes was appointed Senior Staff Operations Geologist at Quadrant Energy Ltd (formerly Apache Energy) in 2009. He is currently involved in well planning and coordinating field operations. Before joining Apache Energy, he worked as well site geologist for Santos, and was a mudlogger early on in his career. With more than 14 years in the field and 9 years in the current position, Fred has worked on several onshore and offshore projects including the Cooper Basin, North-west Shelf, Song Hong Basin in Vietnam and the Gulf of Suez in Egypt. Fred holds a Masters in Geology from the University of Bombay (Mumbai), India. |
Rylan Fabrici graduated from Curtin University with a BSc (Geophysics) and from the Australian School of Petroleum (University of Adelaide) with Honours in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics. He is a Geophysicist with Quadrant Energy Ltd, with 5 years of experience in petroleum exploration principally on the North-west Shelf. |
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