THE SEARCH FOR STRATIGRAPHIC TRAPS IN THE SOUTHERN PATCHAWARRA TROUGH, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Abstract

A seismic stratigraphic study of the Early Permian Patchawarra Formation has been undertaken to delineate zones of reservoir sandstone development and to identify stratigraphic hydrocarbon traps in the western Patchawarra Trough region. In this intracratonic basinal setting, the Patchawarra Formation is dominated by paludal and lacustrine sediments with fluvial sandstones. The Patchawarra Formation in the Patchawarra Trough is a prolific, liquids-rich gas producer with discovered-in-place resources approaching 28 x 109 cubic metres (1 TCF).

With minimal well control in the study area, seismically defined increments of strata (SIS units) have been mapped areally away from nearby fields. The occurrence of sand-prone facies has been predicted through the development of a palaeogeographic model for each unit.

Integration of facies and structural maps has led to the identification of a suite of intraformational and basin edge stratigraphic plays.