PETROLEUM GEOLOGY

A Case Study on Officer Basin fields

PETR 8430
VIDYA SAGAR BOKKA
20413901

5/31/2010

This study reveals the hydrocarbon generation and maturity period within the neoproterozoic officer
basin of Australia. The fields and the sub basin within the officer basin of Western Australia and the
presence of rich organic beds with excellent to fair oil generating Potential, good reservoirs and seal
rocks, efficient traps and the hydrocarbon generative, maturity and migration history of the region is
discussed & crucial in assessing its petroleum prospectively.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Australia’s Officer Basin created approximately 800 to 540 million years ago (Neoproterozic).
The officer has an estimated potential of 26 BBO which is geologically a massive basin with multi-
billion barrel oil reserve. This study integrates more on Western Officer Basin(WOB) covering
different conceptual areas like traps, faults, hydrocarbons initially in place, seismic data on 2D
analysis, Tectonic activity, reservoir systems, analysing the petroleum system of the basin and
modelling of the basin. Until now less than 30 onshore petroleum drilling rigs have been explored
which shows the scenario of under – explored onshore basin in Australia. Officer basin has the
potential to make Australia self sufficient in oil supply. (IBIS world industry report 23 December 2009)

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION: ....................................................................................................................................... 5
EXPLORING OFFICER BASIN: ................................................................................................................. 7
TECTONIC ACTIVITY: ......................................................................................................................... 8
STRUCTURE OF WESTERN OFFICER BASIN: ...................................................................................... 8
STRATIGRAPHY OF THE OFFICER BASIN: ........................................................................................ 10
MARGINAL OVERTHRUSTED ZONE: ................................................................................................ 10
SALT-RUPTURED ZONE: .................................................................................................................. 10
THRUSTED ZONE: ............................................................................................................................ 10
WESTERN PLATFORM: .................................................................................................................... 10
MINIBASINS ZONE: ......................................................................................................................... 11
PETROLEUM SYSTEM ANALYSIS: ............................................................................................................ 11
SOURCE-ROCK POTENTIAL:............................................................................................................. 11
SOURCE-ROCK MATURITY: ............................................................................................................. 11
ORGANIC PETROLOGY: ................................................................................................................... 11
HYDROCARBON SHOWS: ................................................................................................................ 13
WELL DATA FOR WESTERN OFFICER BASIN:................................................................................... 14
RESERVOIRS: ................................................................................................................................... 14
RESERVOIRS BY FORMATION: ................................................................................................................. 15
TOWNSEND QUARTZITE: ................................................................................................................ 15
BROWNE FORMATION:................................................................................................................... 16
HUSSAR FORMATION: .................................................................................................................... 17
KANPA FORMATION: ...................................................................................................................... 18
STEPTOE FORMATION .................................................................................................................... 19
WAHLGU FORMATION:................................................................................................................... 20
MATURATION, PETROLEUM GENERATION, AND MIGRATION: .............................................................. 24
TRAP STYLES............................................................................................................................................ 28
COMPRESSIVE AND SALT RELATED STRUCTURAL TRAPS ............................................................... 28
UNCONFORMITY TRAPS: ................................................................................................................ 28
STRATIGRAPHIC TRAPS: .................................................................................................................. 28
BASIN MODELLING: ................................................................................................................................ 29

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 MODELLING HYDROCARBON GENERATIVE HISTORY: .................................................................... 34
CONCLUSION: ......................................................................................................................................... 35
REFERENCES:........................................................................................................................................... 35
APPENDIXES: ........................................................................................................................................... 36
List of figures: ................................................................................................................................. 36
List of tables:................................................................................................................................... 36

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INTRODUCTION:
The officer basin lies in Western Australia and South Australia covering over 500,000km2 containing a
variety of hydrocarbons associated with compressional, halokinetic, unconformity and stratigraphic
traps. Neoproterozoic rocks are marginally to fully mature for oil generation on the Western Platform
and immature to over mature for different levels of the succession in the Salt-ruptured and Thrusted
zones. Geochemical modelling indicates that the main phases of oil generation vary from different
stratigraphic intervals. A variety of hydrocarbon shows have been recorded in each of the structural
zones. A wide variety of trap styles have been identified, associated with normal faults, thrust faults,
thrust ramp folds, compressive folds, fault tip folds, sub-salt plays, unconformity truncations,

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pinchouts, lateral facies changes, erosive channels and valleys, fractured carbonates and halokinetic
traps. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

The officer basin has a history of over million years. The Officer Basin represents one of the last
remaining onshore frontier exploration areas where large petroleum discoveries may still be made.
The Western Officer Basin (WOB) is believed to have once been part of hypothetical contrarian super
basin which was fragmented during several episodes of tectonic activity. The basin extends west to
east from longitude 1240 E from Western Australia to longitude 1350 E in South Australia. Out of 17.4
million acres area there is an 80% of interesting work still carried out at the basin. In this study we
deal with different source rocks and seals, different reservoirs and structural traps at WOB. The study
of the area integrates more on WOB of the basin and still it’s the third largest onshore sedimentary
basin in Australia. For clear understanding on the entire basin please refer fig2.

Fig1: Location of Officer Basin and its sub-basins.

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EXPLORING OFFICER BASIN:

Fig2: Location of petroleum exploration wells and some stratigraphic tests and mineral exploration boreholes,
and complete seismic coverage over the officer basin in Western Australia.

The Officer Basin covers over 500,000 km2 of the interior of Western Australia and South Australia
(Fig.2). It is a Neoproterozoic intracratonic and episutural basin with a Neoproterozoic sedimentary
section in excess of 6 km. The Western Officer Basin (WOB) and overlying Phanerozoic Gunbarrel
Basin have a combined thickness of approximately 8 km. One of the major explorations risks affecting
petroleum formation and preservation within the Officer Basin (Fig. 1) is its long and complex
evolution, and which can be evaluated from basin modelling. Subsurface geochemical and geological
information available within the Gibson, Lennis, Savory, Waigen, and Yowalga areas of the basin, are

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limited to 16 wells and 19 seismic surveys undertaken during the three phases of petroleum
exploration: late 1960s (five wells), early 1980s (five wells), and late 1990s (six wells). Of these areas
the Yowalga area contains the most wells: Brown-1 and 2, Empress-1/1A, Kanpa-1A, Lungkarta-1, and
Yowalga -1, 2, and 3. The Gibson area contains two deep wells − Hussar-1 and Dragoon-1 − and the
remaining wells are of limited use as they are less than 200 m deep. The Neoproterozoic of the Lennis
area has no well information. Where as in the Waigen area the only available stratigraphic and
maturity data, from a single 2016 m deep stratigraphic well (GSWA Vines-1), but are poorly
constrained at present. (K.A.R Gohri)

TECTONIC ACTIVITY:

Recent works suggests that the officer basin was originally part of an extensional centralian super
basin which included the present Amadeus, Ngalia, Savory and Georgina basins. Justification for this
hypothesis comes from the broadly similar stratigraphy in each of these basins. A model is proposed
which explains the deformation of these basins. A model is proposed which explains the deformation
of the centralian Super basin into those basins recognised today, separated by basement uplifted to
shallow depth and exposure by compression.

The main deformation is belived to have commenced at or around the proterozoic - cambarian
boundary, with a substantial pulse at the end of the Cambrian. As a result, the original broad platform
Depositional system was deformed into a series of foreland-style basins. Stacked thrust sheets of late
Proterozic to camberian sediments, containing the best known source rocks in the basin, illustrate the
intensity of the compressive deformation. Interbedded reservoir units have been folded to form traps
suitable for hydrocarbon retention. This model will enhance the probability of the prospect
generation and the search for commercial hydrocarbons. (David Hoskins)

STRUCTURE OF WESTERN OFFICER BASIN:

The WOB is asymmetrical, with a fault-bounded northeast margin and a ramp platform hinge margin
to the Southwest. This asymmetry developed in the early depositional history of the basin and was
increased by crustal loading. Five structural zones are distinguished in the Western Officer Basin—the
Marginal Overthrusted Zone, the Saltruptured Zone, the Thrusted Zone, the Western Platform and
the Salt-dominated Minibasins Zone. These reflect mostly the influence of the orogenic processes
within the Paterson Orogen and the Musgrave Complex, the associated salt mobilisation and the style
of the halokinetic structures produced. The zones are best defined within the central areas of the
WOB (Fig. 3), where the seismic coverage is adequate to map the inner structure of the zones and the
boundaries between them. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

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Fig3: Time stratigraphy; source, reservoir and seal rocks of the officer basin, WA

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STRATIGRAPHY OF THE OFFICER BASIN:

The sedimentary succession of the Western Officer Basin (WOB) contains clastics, evaporites,
carbonates and glacigene sediments, deposited in three supersequences (Fig. 3). The Browne
Formation conformably to disconformably overlies the Lefroy Formation or, locally, the Townsend
Quartzite, and consists of sandstone, mudstone, argillaceous siltstone, dolomite and evaporite. The
Browne Formation is conformably overlain by the Hussar, Kanpa and Steptoe Formations, a sequence
of alternating sandstone, dolomite, shale and minor evaporites that was deposited in a range of
restricted shallow-marine shelf, shoreface and/or lagoonal environments. The thick evaporitic/halite
deposits in the Browne Formation were mobilised during several tectonic phases and resulted in
significant redistribution of the salt and thickness variations in the overlying sequences. This
structural subdivision is based on mapped outcrops and interpretation of geophysical data and
follows on from the terminology of Japan National Oil Corporation (1997), Apak and Moors (2000a, b,
2001), and Apak et al (2002b). Five structural zones are distinguished in the Western Officer Basin—
the Marginal Overthrusted Zone, the Saltruptured Zone, the Thrusted Zone, the Western Platform
and the Salt-dominated Minibasins Zone. These reflect mostly the influence of the orogenic processes
within the Paterson Orogen and the Musgrave Complex, the associated salt mobilisation and the style
of the halokinetic structures produced. The zones are best defined within the central areas of the
WOB (Fig. 2), where the seismic coverage is adequate to map the inner structure of the zones and the
boundaries between them. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

MARGINAL OVERTHRUSTED ZONE:

The Marginal Overthrusted Zone is the closest to the Musgrave Complex. It is identified as
transitional/ marginal between the orogen and the Officer Basin. Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks
were involved in the frontal thrusts of the Musgrave Complex, Warri Ridge, and Rudall Complex, and
overthrusted the northern margin of the Western Officer Basin. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and
S.N. Apak)

SALT-RUPTURED ZONE:

The Salt-ruptured Zone is defined to the southwest of the Marginal Overthrusted Zone and is
characterised by intense salt piercement into the overlying strata. A number of salt diapirs are known
from surface mapping. The seismic interpretation indicates that the salt walls and structures extend
beyond the limited surface outcrops and have been mapped for over 100km. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P.
Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

THRUSTED ZONE:

The Thrusted Zone is characterised by thin-skinned, low-amplitude thrusts and reverse faults,
lubricated by the salt at the lower levels of SS1 (Browne Formation), producing ramp-folds and other
salt-cored structures. The deformation forces are considered to be either compression associated
with orogeny in the Musgrave Complex, or gravitational collapse of thrusted uplifts as a result of a
reduction in compressional stress after the Areyonga Movement. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and
S.N. Apak)

WESTERN PLATFORM:
The Western Platform is the most distant zone from the Musgrave Complex and presents a relatively
stable area, least affected by tectonic deformation. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

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MINIBASINS ZONE:
The salt-dominated Minibasins Zone is developed in the northeastern (Gibson) area of the WOB. Salt
Withdrawal has provided accommodation space for restricted depositional basins, and extensive salt-
cored structures form salt stocks and walls. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

PETROLEUM SYSTEM ANALYSIS:

SOURCE-ROCK POTENTIAL:

Total organic carbon (TOC) content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis quantifies organic richness and
hydrocarbon-generating potential of source beds, whereas Rock-Eval pyrolysis, pyrolysis gas
chromatography (PGC), extraction, liquid (LC) and gas chromatography (GC) identify the type of
kerogen or facies. These data show oil and gas prone source beds with fair to excellent hydrocarbon-
generating potential are present inBrowne-1 and 2, Empress-1/1A, Hussar-1, Kanpa-1A, LDDH-1, JD-1,
Throssell-1, and Yowalga-3. The best source beds identified in the area are from NJD 1 and Empress-
1/1A, which have excellent to good organic richness and generating potential. Such organic rich beds
are present within the parasequence sets: B2 and B4, H3, K1, and S1 of the Brown, Hussar, Kanpa,
and Steptoe formations, respectively. Figure 3 summarises source rocks characteristics, based on
detailed source-rock evaluations. Whereas Table 1 provides TOC and Rock-Eval data for samples with
TOC content over 0.90%, and Table 2 provides the type of hydrocarbon shows recorded within the
Officer Basin of Western Australia, although minor but significant in indicating existence of petroleum
system. (K.A.R Ghori)

SOURCE-ROCK MATURITY:

Organic petrology and Tmax from Rock-Eval provide measured thermal maturity, whereas apatite
fission-track analysis (AFTA) provides maximum palaeo temperatures and the time of cooling from
these temperatures. Finally, organic maturity and timing of hydrocarbon generation from source
rocks was estimated from basin modelling. No direct method is available to measure expulsion
efficiency. (K.A.R Ghori)

ORGANIC PETROLOGY:

Organic petrology for 174 samples from ten wells is available for evaluating source rock maturity. The
data provide equivalent vitrinite reflectance obtained from reflectance measurements on fluorescing
and non-fluorescing lamalginite, reservoir and thucholitic bitumen, and their fluorescence intensity
provide measures of source rock maturity. The equivalent vitrinite reflectance versus depth suggests
that most of samples are within the oil generative window, except the basal part of the section within
Dragoon-1, Empress-1/1A, LDDH-1, and Yowalga-3. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

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TABLE 1:
TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON AND ROCK – EVAL DATA FOR SAMPLES WITH TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON
CONTENT OVER 0.90%.

TABLE 2:

OIL SHOWS, WESTERN OFFICER BASIN (WOB)

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HYDROCARBON SHOWS:

Hydrocarbon shows have been found in 10 wells in the WOB . Hunt Oil drilled the first scout wells in
1965, Browne–1 and Browne–2. These recorded gas cut-mud and good fluorescent cut in well
cuttings. During 1972, BMR drilled 18 shallow stratigraphic wells. No hydrocarbon shows were
recorded in any of these wells, but no gas detection instruments were used during drilling. Core from
a mineral exploration drill hole, NJD 1 exhibited extensive bitumen filled veins and oozing liquid
hydrocarbons. Kanpa–1A displayed fluorescence and brown oil stains in sandstones and dolomites.
Dragoon–1 recorded mud gas shows with methane values up to 1% and other hydrocarbon gases up
to pentane and Hussar–1 contained impsonitic and thucholitic bitumen. Mineral exploration core
hole LDDH 1 contained bitumen in fractures confirmed by geochemical analysis. Fluorescence in core
was observed and confirmed by geochemical analysis in Boondawari–1 and Mundadjini–1 & Vines–1
displayed gas peaks equivalent to 10% methane in air. There was no gas chromatograph used on this
drillhole. (Stevens and Carlsen, 1998)

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WELL DATA FOR WESTERN OFFICER BASIN:

Wells with hydrocarbon shows in the Western Australian Officer Basin. Well completion reports for
all wells not listed as mineral bore holes are located at the Department of Minerals and Energy
Western Australia (DMPR) and are referenced through the WAPIMS database, S Series. Results for
mineral bore holes are located at the DMPR and are referenced through the WAMEX database, M-
Series.

RESERVOIRS:
In the late 1990s GSWA published the available core and wireline log analysis data for potential
reservoirs in the WOB. Since 1999 new data has been provided by Vines–1 in the Marginal
Overthrusted Zone of the Waigen area. Drill stem tests have been run only in two wells: two tests of
the Kanpa Formation in Hussar–1, and one test of the Browne Formation in Yowalga–3. Sandstones in
the suprasalt sequences have reservoir characteristics with the lowest exploration risk, but
carbonates are mostly dolomitised without development of significant porosity and permeability,
suggesting from the limited data set that carbonates are not a primary exploration target. It is
possible that fractured or karsted carbonates have better reservoir characteristics but they are
considered a high-risk secondary exploration target. (Havord; Carlsen; G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova
and S.N. Apak).

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Fig4: Two- way seismic section of craton and officer basin

RESERVOIRS BY FORMATION:

TOWNSEND QUARTZITE:

The Townsend Quartzite as intersected at a depth of 3671 m in Kanpa–1A consists of massive clear,
pink towhite silica-cemented, micaceous sandstone becoming more ferruginous with depth. Thin
sections of the sandstone show ubiquitous quartz overgrowth (Shell Company of Australia Ltd, 1983).
The Pindyan Sandstone in South Australia is a lateral equivalent with reported reservoir quality:
twelve samples from Giles–1 show average porosity of 11.8%, with a maximum value of 22.5% and
permeability reaching 1,538 mD (Morton and Drexel, Shell Company of Australia Ltd).

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Fig5: seismic section through Browne 1 (refer fig2 for location)

BROWNE FORMATION:
Core porosities up to 18% were recorded in Empress–1/1A and up to 9.5% in Yowalga–3. Log analysis
in Yowalga 3 indicated porosities from 7 to 15% for oolitic, argillaceous dolomites. Core analysis in
Empress 1/1A indicated that widespread filling of pore space by halite and other carbonate minerals
has occluded most of the primary porosity. The appearance of limestone with karstic brecciation from
663–676.7 m in LDDH 1, however, is noteworthy for two reasons. Firstly, limestone is uncommon in
the Officer Basin and secondly, the presence of significant karstification provides an exploration
target in carbonate reservoirs. Unfortunately no core-measured or log-derived porosity and
permeability are available for these carbonates. (Shell Company of Australia Ltd 1983)

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Fig6: seismic section through Hussar 1 (refer fig2 for location)

HUSSAR FORMATION:

Medium- to coarse-grained sandstones are the predominant reservoir lithology in the Hussar
Formation. These were intersected in Hussar–1, Kanpa–1A, Lungkarta–1, Yowalga–3, and Empress–
1/1A. Core analyses have been carried out in Hussar–1 and Empress– 1/1A. Hussar–1 intersected
approximately 100 to 130 m of net reservoir with porosities ranging from 12 to 21%. Empress–1/1A
demonstrated good correlation between core porosity and permeability and the log-derived values.
Core porosities greater than 15% have been measured in 7 out of 18 samples. Log-derived porosities
in Empress– 1/1A show similar values, reaching up to 20%. Permeabilities measured from the same
core plugs at reservoir conditions yielded six values greater than 100 mD with a maximum of 2.69 DD.
Log-derived porosities of 15–17% were recorded in Yowalga–3, Kanpa–1A, and Lungkarta–1. There
are no core analyses of Hussar Formation with which to calibrate the log porosities in these three
wells. (Stevens and Apak, Phillips, Townson).

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Fig7: seismic section through Kanpa 1A (refer fig2 for location)

KANPA FORMATION:

Sandstone beds and bedsets in the Kanpa Formation are generally less than 10 m thick and,
consequently, are not attractive reservoir targets. In Lungkarta–1, 14.9% log porosity was recorded in
a 6.5 m thick dolomite (Shell Company of Australia Ltd. and Schlumberger, 1985).

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Fig8: seismic section through Dragoon (refer fig2 for location)

STEPTOE FORMATION

The Steptoe Formation has only been penetrated in Kanpa–1A, Empress–1/1A, and possibly NJD 1.
Kanpa–1A intersected a 128 m thick sandstone interval with log porosity in excess of 15% but no core
analyses are available. In Empress– 1/1A, a single measured plug porosity of 23%, with a permeability
of approximately 30 mD, was recorded at a depth of 567 m. Sandstones in the Steptoe Formation
may form an attractive target, particularly in areas where they can be reached at shallow depths in
the crests of many anticlinal structures and unconformity traps. Carbonates in the Steptoe Formation
intersected in Empress–1/1A provide the best example of a potential karstic reservoir. Though
uncertain, karstification could extend as deep as 21 m beneath the regional unconformity between
SS1 and SS3 at 504 m (Shell Company of Australia Ltd, Stevens and Apak).

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Fig9: seismic section through Yowalga 3 (refer fig2 for location)

WAHLGU FORMATION:

The siliciclastic glacigene succession of the Wahlgu Formation is a potential reservoir target. The
200m thick section in Empress–1/1A consists mainly of sandstone, with a number of mudstone beds
about 5m thick. Measured core-plug porosity ranges between 10.9 and 32%, with an average for the
five values of 23.5%. Permeability reached a maximum value of 831 mD. Additional mini
permeameter values were between 200 and 1500 mD (Wahlgu Formation sandstones form good
reservoirs, but contain a high risk of breaching due to the lack of a regional top seal at this level other
than the Table Hill Volcanics or the Permian Paterson Formation. (Apak and Moors, Stevens)

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Fig10: seismic section through Lennis 1 (refer fig2 for location)

SEALS:

Within the Officer Basin, most of the formations contain halite, claystone or siltstone that would
provide effective regional and/or local seals for both oil and gas. Tight carbonates may form effective
seals but fracture failure is a risk. Salt is widespread and the best seal in the basin. Salt in the Browne
Formation provides an excellent top seal for potential sub-salt plays. Various scale halokinetic
structures form a reliable lateral seal for structural and combined traps. Shale units deposited on
flooding surfaces provide reliable regional seal for reservoirs in the Kanpa, Hussar, and Steptoe
Formations. These shale beds reach thicknesses of over 100 m in the Hussar Formation in Kanpa 1A
and can be correlated between wells and picked on seismic lines for hundreds of kilometres across
the basin. These form effective seals for individual traps and are likely to control migration paths for
hydrocarbons. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

SOURCE ROCKS:

Analysis of available organic petrological and geochemical data shows that oil and gas prone source
Beds with fair to excellent hydrocarbon generating potential are present in Browne–1 and –2,
Empress–1/1A, Hussar–1, Kanpa–1, LDDH–1, NJD–1, Throssel–1 and Yowalga–3 wells. Organic rich
beds are attributed to the B2 and B4, H3, K1 and S1 parasequences of the Browne, Hussar, Kanpa and
Steptoe Formations. The best source rocks are from NJD–1 mineral bore hole and Empress–1/1A;
these are characterised by excellent to good organic richness and generation potential. One possible
interpretation of NJD 1 assigns these source rocks to the Lefroy Formation, suggesting a sub-salt
source. Alternatively, the section in NJD–1 is lower Kanpa formation summarises the source rock
characteristics. (Ghori, Hocking)

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Fig11: Relation between core permeability (mD) and core porosity(%)

SOURCE-ROCK CHARACTERISATION

Fig12: Petroleum-generating potential as a function of organic richness versus potential yield, for samples
interpreted as reliable.

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 SOURCE-ROCK CHARACTERISATION

Fig13: Type of kerogen as a function of Tmax versus hydrogen index, from Rock-Eval pyrolysis.

SOURCE-ROCK CHARACTERISATION

Fig14: Type of kerogen as a function of oil proneness (C5-C31 alkanes + alkenes) versus gas-oil generation index
(C1-C5)/C6+), from pyrolysis-gas chromatography.

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MATURATION, PETROLEUM GENERATION, AND MIGRATION:

Organic petrology results for 174 samples from eleven wells have been assessed for maturity
indicators in potential source rocks. The equivalent vitrinite reflectance versus depth, suggests that at
present most of the samples are within the oil generation window, except for the basal part of the
section in the deepest parts of the basin near Dragoon–1, Empress–1/1A, LDDH 1 and Yowalga–3. The
analyses indicate that Neoproterozoic rocks are marginally to fully mature for oil generation along the
Western Platform. In the Yowalga area source rocks are immature to over-mature. Along the Western
Platform in the Gibson area, the Neoproterozoic section is partly within the oil-generative window,
whereas in the northwestern part of the area it is mature to over mature. (Ghori)

Basin modelling is poorly constrained by the small available dataset, but indicates that the main
phases of oil generation in the Neoproterozoic succession were during the latest Neoproterozoic,
Cambrian and Permian-Triassic. These models demonstrate significant variations in timing and levels
of kerogen transformation to petroleum in the Browne, Hussar, Kanpa and Steptoe Formations,
depending on the intensity of at least three major tectonic events—the Areyonga Movement,
Petermann Ranges Orogeny, and Alice Springs Orogeny. During the Neoproterozoic, parts of the
Browne Formation were deeply buried and attained the optimum maturity for hydrocarbon
generation and its potential was exhausted. On the other hand, the Hussar, Kanpa and Steptoe
Formations were not deeply buried at this time and retained generative potential during later stages
of subsidence and increased maturation in the Cambrian and Permian–Triassic. A significantly thick
(up to 2,000m in Yowalga–3) Neoproterozoic section is at present within the oil window though peaks
in the rate of oil generation have been reached during the Cambrian and/or Permian–Triassic. Lateral
migration paths for hydrocarbons generated in the Officer Basin are provided by source rock–
reservoir couplets in all of the formations with identified source rock potential. Additional lateral
migration pathways are provided by facies variations. Salt walls in the Salt-ruptured Zone, regional
faults and folds in the Thrusted Zone, and isolation of depositional systems in the salt-dominated
Minibasins Zone compartmentalise lateral migration pathways. Vertical migration pathways are
compartmentalised by regional seals in the Browne, Hussar, Kanpa and Steptoe Formations.
Migration between compartments has been provided by regional Unconformities, which downcut
into most formations along various local structural trends.

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Additional vertical migration pathways are provided by regional and local scale faults. In the Officer
Basin these have a complex history of tensional and compressional strain release. (Perincek, Apak
and Moors, Ghori)

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Fig15: measured maturity a) as a function of equivalent vitrinite reflectance versus depth;
b) as a function of the Rock-Eval parameters, Tmax and production index versus depth

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Fig16: Present day maturity cross-section based on 2D basin modelling

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TRAP STYLES
The WOB contains a variety of traps associated with halokinetic and compressional structures,
unconformities and stratigraphic traps. Most of the traps remain poorly tested or untested. Structural
closures range from very large four-way dip closures to complex fault blocks with multiple fault
intersections. Stratigraphic traps range from regional facies variations and pinchouts onto the
southern ramp margin of the basin to rapid local variations in a number of nearshore mixed clastic
and carbonate environments. Timing of trap formation and petroleum generation is considered
favourable for the accumulation of hydrocarbons during the Neoproterozoic, Cambrian, and
Permian–Triassic. (G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

COMPRESSIVE AND SALT RELATED STRUCTURAL TRAPS

Large and small-scale thrust faults propagate from a detachment surface within the Browne
Formation salt units. These faults propagate up section into the overlying formations resulting in drag
rollover structures within the units they penetrate and fault tip folds in the overlying units. Reliable
fault sealing is provided where salt is present along the fault plane. Such traps contain the risk of
tensional crestal fault development that may leak during the initial hydrocarbon charge or during
post migration fault reactivation. Tectonic and buoyant salt emplacements do not always penetrate
the entire Neoproterozoic succession and four way dip closures in the suprasalt section are
developed. Tensional crestal faults in carbonate beds may be a seal risk or reservoir enhancement
where Super sequence 1 strata have been folded. In the Salt-ruptured Zone, salt walls create two
facing salt-sealed, three-way dip closures. These structures are of regional extent. Buoyant and
Tectonic salt structures were initiated during the Neoproterozoic, providing traps for the first phase
of Hydrocarbon generation and migration. Subsequent deformation and later phases of hydrocarbon
generation and migration have resulted in modification or relocation of early-formed hydrocarbon
accumulations. (Ghori, G.M. Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak)

UNCONFORMITY TRAPS:

Supersequence 1 strata have been tilted and severely eroded adjacent to salt injection features and
along the basin margins. Leaching of soluble components such as halite, anhydrite, and carbonate
from the sandstone and carbonate, and development of karst within carbonates may create
extensive secondary porosity, particularly in the Steptoe Formation. A high risk for these traps is
associated with development of a reliable top seal and charge timing.

STRATIGRAPHIC TRAPS:

In the Western Officer Basin there may be significant opportunity for retention of hydrocarbons in
stratigraphic traps, though to date no such traps have been tested. Differential subsidence in the
Officer Basin has resulted in downlap and onlap of units providing opportunities for pinch out traps. A
good example occurs in the Wahlgu Formation and McFadden Formation equivalent, in the salt-
withdrawal synclines adjacent to the salt structures in the Lennis area. This shows sedimentary units
onlapping against the sides of the salt rims, creating potential pinchout traps. With regard to
petroleum charge, the timing of trap development is very good, and the configuration has been
maintained over a long period, preserving any petroleum accumulation.

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 28

Lateral facies changes provide another exploration target, particularly along the basinward edge of
the Western Platform within Supersequence 1. The early formation of such traps is excellent with
respect to charge, and the stable, low-angled ramp configuration of the area facilitates the
maintenance of trap integrity. Erosive channels are observed in many areas in the WOB and high-
energy channel-fill reservoir rocks sealed by the subsequent transgressive shale are indicated by the
sequence stratigraphy. Channels of significant size were identified at the base of Wahlgu Formation,
but reliable top seal may be a high risk for these stratigraphic traps. The timing of formation is
considered good in relation to petroleum generation. (Apak and Moors)

Fig17: Schematic representation 1) normal fault trap, 2) drag fold on a salt- lubricated thrust,3) drape over a
salt movement high, 4)titled salt-abutment trap, 5) salt wall abutment trap, 6) leached-zone porosity
enhancement in sandstone and carbonate rocks, 7) stratigraphic pinchout trap, 8) stratigraphic facies-change
trap, 9) erosional channel filled by reservoir sandstone that is sealed by a Transgressive seal, 10) isolated
offshore sandbar within shale or carbonate rocks, 11) fractured carbonate rocks.

BASIN MODELLING:

Basin modelling is used to analyse different geological scenarios for the evolution of the Officer Basin
because the complex burial, thermal, and erosional histories are poorly constrained. The emphasis
was to determine the timing of hydrocarbon generation and how sensitive the modelling is to
variations in thermal and erosional history; modelling sensitivity was tested on the thickest
Neoproterozoic sequence in the Lennis area as interpreted from the available seismic data.

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 29

Fig18: hydrocarbon generating modelling of hussar-1: a)calibration of calculated versus measured maturity; b)
burial and thermal history, c) rate of hydrocarbon generation for the brown formation, d)rate of hydrocarbon
generation for the hussar formation.

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 30

Fig19: calibration of calculated versus measured maturity, and burial and thermal history 3 wells empress, b)
kanpa, c) yowalga

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 31

Fig20: Rate of hydrocarbon generation : 1) The top of the brown and hussar formations for models based on a)
high palaeo heatflow at 840 Ma; b) high palaeo heat flow during 840-60 Ma; c) major erosion during the alice
spring orogeny 2) the top of kanpa formation for madels based on a) high palaeo heatflow at 840 Ma; b) high
palaeo heat flow during 840-60 Ma; c) major erosion during the alice spring orogeny d) major erosion during
jurasic break-up orogeny 3) a) high palaeo heatflow at 840 Ma; b) high palaeo heat flow during 840-60 Ma; c)
major erosion during the alice spring orogeny d) major erosion during jurasic break-up orogeny

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 32

For this study, a total of five wells and seven geological sections from seismic were modelled to
reconstruct the hydrocarbon generative history. Wells include Empress-1/1A, Kanpa-1A, Lungkarta-1,
and Yowalga-3 plus six pseudowells (derived from seismic data) in the Yowalga area, Hussar 1 from
the Gibson area, and a single pseudowell from the Lennis area. Predicted maturation and timing of
hydrocarbon generation are based on Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) vitrinite and
kerogen kinetics, respectively. The following options of Platte River BasinMod were used: Bmod 2D
fluid flow compaction, power function for permeability calculation, and transient heat flow with 25oC
present-day surface temperature for thermal history calculation. Maturation stages and their
corresponding vitrinite reflectance values are as follows: immature zone, less than 0.5% Ro; early
mature, 0.5% to 0.7% Ro; mid mature, 0.7% to 1.0% Ro; late mature, 1.0% of 1.3% Ro and; mainly gas
generation, over 1.3% Ro. Firstly, 1D burial histories were reconstructed from the stratigraphy and
lithologies in wells and estimated for pseudowells. Corrected BHTs, equivalent %Ro, Tmax, and
information from AFTA were used to constrain present-day temperatures and palaeo temperatures.
The thermal histories were then reconstructed using estimated erosional histories and adjusting
thermal conductivities and transient heat flow to constrain maturity models versus measured data.
The stratigraphy and lithologies in wells was taken from (Karajas and Taylor, Shell Development
(Australia) Pty Ltd, and Stevens and Apak).

For the Yowalga area, the time-stratigraphy utilised is summarised in Table 3, and the maturity
calibration and burial histories of three key wells are illustrated in Figure 5. The deepest equivalent
vitrinite reflectance value is considered to represent the maximum maturity attained in the wells
because the Tmax values are consistently lower than the equivalent vitrinite reflectance values in this
area. The modelling suggest that the K2 parasequence within the Kanpa Formation and underlying
formations in Empress-1/1A and Kanpa-1A, and the H4 parasequence within the Hussar Formation
and underlying formations in Yowalga-3 are within the mature zone for oil and gas generation. For
the Gibson area, the time-stratigraphy used to model the hydrocarbon generative history was from
Hussar-1 (2040 m total depth), which was extrapolated from seismic to a total depth of 5405 m and is
summarised in Table 4. Modelling of this section is summarized in Figures 6a maturity calibration and
6b (burial and maturation history). The corresponding generation timing for the Brown and Hussar
formations peaked during the Neoproterozoic and Cambrian, respectively.

For the Lennis area, the time-stratigraphy used in developing the pseudowell model is summarised in
Table 5. At this location four alternative models, based on available seismic and well data
extrapolated from the Yowalga area, were generated to test how variations in thermal and erosional
history affect the timing of hydrocarbons generation. The present-day maturity of the formations is
higher than expected for their current depth of burial, which may be due to either a higher palaeo
heat flow or to deeper burial in the past. A higher palaeo heat flow was used to constrain the first
two models, whereas deeper burial and erosion were used to constrain the third and fourth models,
while keeping the heat flow constant.

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 33

MODELLING HYDROCARBON GENERATIVE HISTORY:

Time-stratigraphy used in the maturity model of the Gibson area.

Time – stratigraphy used in the maturity model of the Lennis area.

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 34

CONCLUSION:
Basing on the available data, the western officer basin has the ultimate production potential basing
on the global scale oil fields. The organic rich source-beds are present within B2 and B4
parasequences of the Browne Formation, H3 parasequence of the Hussar Formation, K1
parasequence of the Kanpa formation, and S1 parasequence of the Steptoe Formation. Pyrolysis gas
chromatography and extract analyses indicate that most the organic matter within the source-beds is
of oil and gas generating type II kerogen. The presence of minor oil shows and numerous bitumen
occurrences indicate the presence of a petroleum system within the Neoproterozoic of the western
Officer Basin. Depending on the Geo- chemical data and hydrocarbons modelling the thin source-
beds has an fair to excellent hydrocarbon generating potential in Browne-1 and 2, Empress-1/1A,
Hussar-1, Kanpa-1A, LDDH-1, NJD-1 and Yowalga-3.

REFERENCES:
1. APAK, S.N. AND MOORS, H.T., 2000a—A sequence stratigraphic depositional model of
Neoproterozoic strata, Yowalga area, Officer Basin, Western Australia. APPEA Journal, 40(1),
15–25.
2. GHORI, K.A.R., 1998a—Petroleum generating potential and thermal history of the
Neoproterozoic Officer Basin. In: Purcell, P.G. and Purcell, R.R. (eds) The Sedimentary Basins
of Western Australia. Proceedings of Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia Symposium,
Perth, 1998, 717–730.
3. K.A.R Ghori, Modelling of Hydrocarbon generative history of officer basin, Western Australia,
PSEA JOURNAL NO.29 2002.
4. IBIS world industry report 23 December 2009.
5. Petroleum systems and exploration potential in the officer basin, western Australia, G.M.
Carlsen, A.P. Simeonova and S.N. Apak, APPEA JOURNAL 2003, pg no 473.
6. Hoskins, D. and Lemon, N.M., 1995. Tectonic development of the eastern Officer Basin,
CENTRAL AUSTRALIA. EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS, 26:395-402.
7. Drillhole wmc njd 1 western officer basin Western Australia: stratigraphy and petroleum
geology by R.M. hocking, Dept of Mineral and Petroleum resources, record 2002/18.
8. Tectonic development of the eastern officer basin, Western Australia, Lemon and Hoskins,
1995, 26(395-402) Exploration Geophysics.
9. Rodina Oil Corporation, officer basin, 2010.
10. SHELL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA, 1981—Yowalga–3 well completion report. GSWA, S-series,
W1709 A5/V1/V2, unpublished.
11. SHELL COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA LTD, 1983—Kanpa–1/1A well completion report. GSWA, S-
series, W2281 V1/A2, three volumes, unpublished.

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 35

APPENDIXES:
List of figures:
1. Location of Officer Basin and its sub-basins.
2. Location of petroleum exploration wells and some stratigraphic tests and mineral exploration
boreholes, and complete seismic coverage over the officer basin in Western Australia.
3. Time stratigraphy; source, reservoir and seal rocks of the officer basin, WA
4. Two- way seismic section of craton and officer basin
5. seismic section through Browne 1 (refer fig2 for location)
6. seismic section through Hussar 1 (refer fig2 for location)
7. seismic section through Kanpa 1A (refer fig2 for location)
8. seismic section through Dragoon (refer fig2 for location)
9. seismic section through Yowalga 3 (refer fig2 for location)
10. seismic section through Lennis 1 (refer fig2 for location
11. Relation between core permeability (mD) and core porosity(%)
12. Petroleum-generating potential as a function of organic richness versus potential yield, for samples
interpreted as reliable.
13. Type of kerogen as a function of Tmax versus hydrogen index, from Rock-Eval pyrolysis.
14. Type of kerogen as a function of oil proneness (C5-C31 alkanes + alkenes) versus gas-oil generation
index (C1-C5)/C6+), from pyrolysis-gas chromatography.
15. measured maturity a) as a function of equivalent vitrinite reflectance versus depth;
b) as a function of the Rock-Eval parameters, Tmax and production index versus depth.
16. Present day maturity cross-section based on 2D basin modelling.
17. Schematic representation 1) normal fault trap, 2) drag fold on a salt- lubricated thrust,3) drape over a
salt movement high, 4)titled salt-abutment trap, 5) salt wall abutment trap, 6) leached-zone porosity
enhancement in sandstone and carbonate rocks, 7) stratigraphic pinchout trap, 8) stratigraphic facies-
change trap, 9) erosional channel filled by reservoir sandstone that is sealed by a Transgressive seal,
10) isolated offshore sandbar within shale or carbonate rocks, 11) fractured carbonate rocks.
18. : hydrocarbon generating modelling of hussar-1: a)calibration of calculated versus measured maturity;
b) burial and thermal history, c) rate of hydrocarbon generation for the brown formation, d)rate of
hydrocarbon generation for the hussar formation
19. calibration of calculated versus measured maturity, and burial and thermal history 3 wells empress, b)
kanpa, c) yowalga
20. Rate of hydrocarbon generation : 1) The top of the brown and hussar formations for models based on
a) high palaeo heatflow at 840 Ma; b) high palaeo heat flow during 840-60 Ma; c) major erosion during
the alice spring orogeny 2) the top of kanpa formation for madels based on a) high palaeo heatflow at
840 Ma; b) high palaeo heat flow during 840-60 Ma; c) major erosion during the alice spring orogeny d)
major erosion during jurasic break-up orogeny 3) a) high palaeo heatflow at 840 Ma; b) high palaeo
heat flow during 840-60 Ma; c) major erosion during the alice spring orogeny d) major erosion during
jurasic break-up orogeny

List of tables:
1. TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON AND ROCK – EVAL DATA FOR SAMPLES WITH TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON
CONTENT OVER 0.90%.

2. OIL SHOWS, WESTERN OFFICER BASIN (WOB)

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 36

 3. WELL DATA FOR WESTERN OFFICER BASIN
4. Time-stratigraphy used in the maturity model of the Gibson area.
5. Time – stratigraphy used in the maturity model of the Lennis area.

Vidya Sagar Bokka, Student Id# 20413901 Page 37