New Interpretation and Modelling Results for a Late Triassic Isolated Pinnacle Reef Complex on the Exmouth Plateau, Western Australia

Abstract

The West Foxhound 3D survey is located approximately 200km from the north-west coast of Australia within the Exmouth Plateau, which represents the outermost structural element of the Northern Carnarvon Basin. The survey covers one of two known, isolated, Rhaetian pinnacle reef complexes that exist within the Exmouth Plateau making it of particular interest to enhance understanding of a new and under-explored exploration play. The results presented herein are derived from the focused interpretation and analysis of the West Foxhound 3D, which makes up part of a larger, comprehensive regional Triassic study, covering the entire North West Shelf including the Northern Carnarvon, Browse and Bonaparte basins. Results of the interpretation and analysis confirm that the Late Triassic interval within Foxhound hosts a significant number of isolated pinnacle reefs with potential access to charge from underlying Triassic source rocks. The pinnacle reefs represent a new and emerging play with only one reef to date drilled as a primary target.