A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISATION OF CARBONATE SHOALS, SHALLOW GAS ACCUMULATIONS AND RELATED COMPLEX NEAR-SURFACE SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES IN THE TIMOR SEA

Abstract

A major exploration program is being undertaken by the AC/P16 Joint Venture in the central Timor Sea, northwestern Australia. Its safe and successful execution is critically dependant on the early definition and characterisation of both the numerous carbonate shoals in the area and the complex bathymetry. This was accomplished via the acquisition of environmental, high-resolution bathymetric, 2D and 3D seismic and airborne laser fluorosensor (ALF) data. Multi-disciplinary integration and analysis of these data have enabled mapping and 3D visualisation of the shoals, and the creation of a 3D velocity model for depth conversion. Seismic amplitude anomalies and chaotic seismic reflectors, which increase in areal extent toward the sea floor, have been interpreted as being due to shallow gas. These gas accumulations are also associated with soft-sediment gravity slides in the shallow sub-surface which exhibit thrust imbrication in the contractional toes and are linked to listric extensional faults. The high resolution bathymetric data have provided images of a disturbed sea floor in several of the areas which are affected by shallow gas: craters, troughs, ridges and mounds can be explained by the localised venting of gas at the sea floor. These gas accumulations are located above basin-scale faults, which are inferred to provide migration paths from more deeply buried source rocks. ALF anomalies mapped at the sea surface, and sea floor grab samples containing petrogenic hydrocarbons, also provide evidence that hydrocarbons are presently leaking from the sea floor.