MOOMBA — A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN GAS FIELD

Abstract

South Australia's Moomba gas field was discovered by Delhi Australian Petroleum Ltd. and Santos Limited during March, 1966. The discovery lies 460 miles north of Adelaide, and is on a broad, low relief subsurface structure. A good Permian section, structural position and potential for differential hydrocarbon entrapment led to the drilling of Moomba No. 1. The pay section is from the Upper Member of the Permian-Gidgealpa Formation. Sediments in this section are continental. Depositional environments include river flood plains, valley plains and swamps. Gas at Moomba is dry and contains carbon dioxide. There appears to be no limiting gas-water contact. Three wells have been drilled. Net effective pays of 86 and 67 feet were found in Moomba No. 1 and Moomba No. 2.