Variation of vertical stress in the onshore Canning Basin, Western Australia
Adam H. E. Bailey A B and Paul Henson A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Geoscience Australia: 101 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Symonston, ACT 2609.
B Corresponding author. Email: adam.bailey@ga.gov.au
The APPEA Journal 59(1) 364-382 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ18259
Submitted: 4 December 2018 Accepted: 7 January 2019 Published: 17 June 2019
Abstract
Vertical stress is one of the three principal stresses and is an important parameter in geomechanical studies that are focussed on the prediction of pore pressure, fracture gradients and wellbore stability. Variations of the vertical stress magnitude can be attributed to variations in lithology or diagenetic history, localised uplift and overpressures caused by disequilibrium compaction. This study uses wellbore data from 102 open-file petroleum wells to characterise vertical stress within the onshore Canning Basin of north-western Australia. Vertical stress magnitudes are interpreted from density logs and checkshot data and at 1 km depth below the ground surface range from 20.5 to 25.0 MPa km–1 with a mean value of 22.1 MPa km–1 (s.d. = 1.0 MPa km–1). Significant variation is evident within the calculated stress magnitudes, and when presented spatially, three regions of elevated vertical stress are identified: the Barbwire Terrace, the Devonian reef complexes of the northern Lennard Shelf and the Mowla Terrace. Lithology, abnormal pore pressures and tectonic uplift are investigated as potential mechanisms of the observed variation. Although abnormal pore pressures are identified, no direct correlation between overpressured areas and elevated vertical stress magnitudes is observed. The Canning Basin has an extensive history of uplift; however, there is little evidence for significant recent inversion. While uplift is likely to exert some influence over vertical stress magnitudes in the Canning Basin, the primary cause is interpreted to be lithological: areas of elevated vertical stress magnitude are also areas where thick intervals of carbonate sediments are present.
Keywords: density, disequilibrium compaction, fluid expansion, formation pressure, in-situ stress, lithological controls on stress, lithostatic pressure, overburden stress, overpressure, present-day stress, stress regime, tectonic uplift, well logs, well tests.
Adam H.E. Bailey is a Petroleum Geoscientist at Geoscience Australia, with expertise in petroleum geomechanics, structural geology and basin analysis. He graduated with a BSc (Hons) in 2012 and a PhD in 2016 from the Australian School of Petroleum at the University of Adelaide. Working with the Onshore Energy Systems team at Geoscience Australia, Adam is currently working on the flagship Exploring for the Future Program in Northern Australia. |
Paul A. Henson graduated from the University of Tasmania and is currently managing the onshore Energy Systems Section at Geoscience Australia. He has extensive experience in the minerals sector working on mineral systems in Proterozoic and Archaean terranes. Since 2010 he has led the Australian Governments’ onshore carbon storage program, undertaking deep onshore drilling and seismic acquisition programs in collaboration with the states and industry. In addition he now manages the Exploring for the Future - Energy Program leading a team of researchers to acquire new pre-competitive geoscientific data to improve our understanding of the oil and gas potential of Australian onshore basins. |
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