VIMP Report 16 - A Preliminary Appraisal of the Pre-Tertiary Infrabasins Beneath the Murray Basin, Northwestern Victoria

Category: Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum Reports	Product Code: MP-R-26284
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Executive Summary The geology and hydrocarbon prospectivity of the pre-Tertiary infrabasins beneath the western half of the Murray Basin in Victoria has been summarised to provide information to petroleum explorers.

The study has confirmed the most prospective areas to be the Wentworth and Netherby troughs. Analysis and modelling of new aeromagnetic and gravity data has redefined the limits of these infrabasins, showing them to have a greater areal extent than previously understood, with depths estimated to be in excess of three kilometres.

It is suggested that the most prospective source rocks are likely to lie within the Lower Permian section and, using measured thermal gradients in shallow wells, they should be mature for hydrocarbon generation. Favourable reservoirs can be expected within the Lower Devonian, Lower Permian and Lower Cretaceous sequences and good seal rocks occur throughout the Lower Devonian - Tertiary succession.

The hydrocarbon potential of the Wentworth and Netherby troughs is perceived to be good. However, the Murray Basin area is greatly under-explored and considerable further work is required to allow a more objective appraisal of its hydrocarbon prospectivity. A seismic survey, to be acquired by the Petroleum Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals (DAEM) in 1996, will provide valuable data regarding the depth and structure of the Wentworth and Netherby troughs, Numurkah Basin and Ovens Graben. An apatite fission track analysis (AFTA) and vitrinite reflectance (VR) study is also planned and will give new and vital knowledge regarding the potential for locating hydrocarbons within these infrabasins.

Bibliographic reference Knight, L.A., McDonald, P.A., Frankel, E. & Moore, D.H., 1995. A preliminary appraisal of the pre-Tertiary infrabasins beneath the Murray Basin, northwestern Victoria. Victorian Initiative for Minerals and Petroleum Report 16. Department of Agriculture, Energy and Minerals.