The petroleum potential of the onshore Bonaparte Basin - EP126 - WA and EP31 - NT

Abstract

The late Devonian and early Carboniferous sediments of the onshore Bonaparte Basin have attracted petroleum exploration interest over the last 30 years. During this time, however, only eight exploration wells have been drilled in an area of approximately 16,000 square kilometres. Seven of these encountered some form of oil or gas show. and four were sub economic to marginally economic gas discoveries. Over the same period there were a number of phases of mineral exploration around the basin margin for 'Mississippi Valley' type base metal mineralization. Many mineral boreholes encountered bitumen shows at shallow depth.

This report has been developed on the basis of an in depth examination of all relevant petroleum exploration reports including: well completion reports, geophysical reports, seismic sections and interpretations, geological survey reports and other publications including biostratigraphical works and field mapping with associated air photo and enhanced thematic mapper interpretation. Some mineral exploration reports and physical examination of mineral cores were provided by BHP Minerals.