The Lower Triassic Caley Member: depositional facies, reservoir quality and seismic expression
Jack Woodward A B , Jon Minken A , Melissa Thompson A , Margarita Kongawoin A , Laurence Hansen A and Rylan Fabrici AA Quadrant Energy Limited, Exploration, PO Box 5624, St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6831, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: jack.woodward@quadrantenergy.com.au
The APPEA Journal 58(2) 878-883 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17172
Accepted: 22 February 2018 Published: 28 May 2018
Abstract
Recent exploration success in the Lower Keraudren Formation of the Bedout sub-basin has resulted in the emergence of the Caley Member reservoirs (Thompson et al. 2018). The interplay of several unique characteristics at this stratigraphic level are favourable for the generation, trapping and deliverability of hydrocarbons.
These unique characteristics include, the preservation of porosity and permeability at depths greater than 4000 m, an organic-rich delta-plain lagoon mudstone source rock interbedded with the reservoir and the presence of a thick hemi-pelagic shale. This proximity of the mature source rocks and reservoir quality units combined with a thick overlying shale has created a highly efficient system for trapping hydrocarbons.
Seismic data is a key tool to help unlock this play. Seismic imaging of a relatively thin reservoir at a depth below 4000 m has proved challenging. Quadrant has undertaken several stages of reprocessing and conducted multiple seismic inversions to better image and predict the reservoir.
Integration and interpretation of geophysical, geological and geochemical data of this recently discovered reservoir has increased Quadrant’s understanding of the potential of the under-explored Bedout sub-basin.
Keywords: Bedout, reservoir preservation, Roc.
Jack Woodward graduated in 1990 from the University of NSW with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Geophysics/Geology. He initially worked in Sydney, Australia with Bridge Oil and Parker & Parsley Australasia Ltd before heading overseas to work in Oman and Malaysia with Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO) and Shell Sarawak Berhad (SSB). 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. |
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 B.Sc. (Hons.) from University of Alberta in 2002 and a M.Sc. (Hons.) from the University of Oklahoma in 2004. Since joining the industry, Jon has explored for hydrocarbons in Australia, South Atlantic Margins, Southeast Asia, East Africa and Canada. |
Melissa Thompson has more than 26 years of experience in the petroleum industry with independent E&P companies in both Australia and internationally, working in 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 (NWS) 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 Bachelor of Science (Petroleum Geology Hons I) from Sydney University, Australia and is a member of PESA. |
Margarita Kongawoin is senior staff geophysicist with Quadrant Energy Ltd. Margarita has over 10 years international experience solving geophysical problems. Margarita’s primary experience is with rock physics and inversion. Margarita has a Masters of Philosophy (Geophysics), from Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. |
Laurence Hansen is a senior geophysical advisor with Quadrant Energy Ltd. Laurence graduated from London University with a B.Sc. in Geology and a M.Sc. in Natural Environments. After 17 years with processing contractors worldwide, he joined Apache Energy (now Quadrant Energy), where he has spent over 27 years working with and enhancing velocity model building techniques and new processing technologies aimed at improving exploration success. |
Rylan Fabrici graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science (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’ experience in petroleum exploration principally on the Australian North West Shelf. |
References
Minken, J., Thompson, M., Woodward, J., and Fabrici, R. (2018) Tectonostratigraphic framework of the Lower Keraudren Formation, Bedout sub-basin: interplay of tectonics and sedimentary systems. The APPEA Journal 58(2).Thompson, M., Wehr, F., Woodward, J., Minken, J., D_Orazio, G., Fernandes, F., Kongawoin, M., Hansen, L., Kuek, D., and Fabrici, R. (2018). Recent exploration results in the Lower Triassic, Bedout sub-basin: Australia’s next petroleum province? The APPEA Journal 58(2).
