Using potential field data to map salt distribution in the Western Officer Basin, Western Australia.

Abstract

The Neoproterozoic western Officer Basin has a total fill of up to 8 km and a depositional history with similarities to other Australian basins, particularly the Amadeus Basin. Exploration has been limited due to the size and remoteness of the basin; therefore potential field data can be a useful and cost-effective tool to assess petroleum prospectivity. Salt distribution and mobilisation in the Officer Basin has been significantly underestimated due to a lack of quality seismic data. This study uses satellite, digital terrain, magnetic, gravity and seismic data to show the existence of mobilised salt much further west than previously suggested, with significant implications for future exploration in the region.