A petroleum geological overview of the 2013 offshore acreage release for petroleum exploration

Abstract

The Australian Government formally releases new offshore exploration areas at the annual APPEA conference. The previous two releases were characterised by several large, gazetted areas in underexplored regions, a trend that is maintained this year with several frontier areas comprising more than 100 graticular blocks on offer. The recent uptake of new exploration permits in the Bight Basin, the offshore North Perth Basin, and the Roebuck Basin indicates a continuing strong industry interest in offshore frontier exploration.

A total of 31 areas in 13 geological provinces are formally released in 2013, and work program bids are invited for two rounds closing on 21 November 2013, and 22 May 2014. Area gazettal was, again, well supported by industry nominations.

The areas on offer are represented by an even mix of shallow and deepwater areas, as well as by areas close and distant to previous discoveries and producing fields. The Northern Carnarvon, Browse, and Bonaparte basins dominate new exploration opportunities in the 2013 release, while only four areas were gazetted in the North Perth, Otway, and Gippsland basins. These also deserve attention as they have exploration potential in underexplored parts of the basins and offer opportunities to test new play concepts.

Data coverage varies from being excellent in more mature areas to sparse in underexplored areas such as the North Perth Basin. The Australian Government continues to assist offshore exploration activities by providing free access to a wealth of open-file geological and geophysical data.