KIPPER—A UNIQUE OIL AND GAS DISCOVERY, GIPPSLAND BASIN, AUSTRALIA

Abstract

The low side fault-dependent Kipper oil and gas discovery is unique in many ways:

It is the first significant hydrocarbon discovery in the Golden Beach Group. The primary S-1 reservoir has a 328 m gross gas column with a 14 m gross oil leg, with estimated in place oil and gas volumes of 30 MMSTB and 750 BSCF respectively.The S-1 reservoir is top-sealed by a volcanic unit which is over 100 metres thick and separates the Golden Beach Group from the overlying Latrobe Group.Critical fault seal is interpreted to be dependent on the complex inter-relationship of Golden Beach Group stratigraphy: fluvio-deltaic S-1 reservoir sands juxtaposed against a thick lacustrine shale.S-1 reservoir geometry and continuity is complex, with significant lateral facies variation between Kipper-1 and Kipper-2.

The Kipper discovery has focused attention on the Golden Beach Group play, and also proved the effectiveness of two very important prospect components for that play, i.e. regional volcanics can provide a competent top seal for hydrocarbons in the Gippsland Basin, and that fault-dependent prospects on the down-thrown side of the major basin margin faults can prove to be successful traps.