Aeromagnetics in Australian petroleum exploration

Abstract

During the 1960s, a large proportion of the sedimentary basins of Australia were covered by aeromagnetic surveys, at least on a reconnaissance basis. But in recent years, although aeromagnetics have been widely used in Australia for mineral exploration, they seem to be largely neglected in current petroleum exploration. The techniques of high resolution aeromagnetic surveys are virtually untested in Australia. It is worth reviewing results from some of the old surveys to see what information they provided, whether this was useful at the time, and remains useful even today. Secondly, current techniques of surveying and data processing are reviewed, to see what might be expected from new and detailed high-resolution aeromagnetic surveys. It is believed that they have a role to play in guiding exploration in particular plays, especially those where basement structure and tectonics are fundamental, or where intra-sedimentary volcanics are involved.