Release area W16-1, Petrel Sub-basin, Bonaparte Basin, Western Australia

HighlightsBids close 8 December 2016 Proximal to the Blacktip gas field and the Marina gas accumulation Proximal to the Blacktip and Ichthys pipelines Shallow water depths of 30–70 m Proven plays in anticlines, tilted fault blocks and structural/stratigraphic traps Proven oil and gas petroleum systems Special Notices apply, refer to Guidance NotesRelease Area W16-1 is located in the southwest part of the Petrel Sub-basin of the Bonaparte Basin, less than 10 km offshore and approximately 300 km from Darwin in water depths of up to 70 m (Figure 1). The Release Area comprises 57 full and 13 part graticular blocks (5 230 km2) and is adjacent to the Blacktip gas field, as well as the Marina gas accumulation. Gas production from the Blacktip field commenced in 2009 via the Blacktip pipeline. The Release Area also contains the Berkley 1 and Lesueur 1 wells.

The Petrel Sub-basin is an asymmetric, northwest-trending Paleozoic rift in the eastern Bonaparte Basin. The sub-basin contains a thick Paleozoic succession overlain by thinner Mesozoic sediments (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Sedimentation in the sub-basin commenced in the Cambrian. A northwest-trending rift was initiated in the Late Devonian to Mississippian being filled by a thick succession of marine to fluvio-deltaic sediments. Structurally, the Petrel Sub-basin comprises a broad northwest-trending syncline that plunges to the northwest, resulting in exposure of lower Paleozoic sediments in the southern onshore area (e.g. in Bonaparte 1 and Ningbing 1) and in the progressive sub-cropping of upper Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments offshore. The Petrel Sub-basin is a proven Paleozoic hydrocarbon province containing numerous gas accumulations, including the producing Blacktip gas field, as well as the Turtle oil and gas accumulation and the Barnett oil accumulation. Permian marginal marine, fluvial and glacial reservoirs within the Kulshill Group are proven hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Blacktip structure. Structural traps containing Devonian to Triassic reservoirs are sealed by Carboniferous to Jurassic shales and carbonates.

Oil and gas in Permo–Carboniferous reservoirs in the southern Petrel Sub-basin are sourced from a lower Carboniferous petroleum system as seen in the Turtle and Barnett accumulations (Figure 2 and Figure 3). This includes source rocks within the Bonaparte Formation (Langfield Group equivalent) and the Tanmurra Formation (Weaber Group). Sufficient deep drilling has not been undertaken in the western Petrel Sub-basin to fully evaluate the western extent of the petroleum system, although Marina 1 and Lesueur 1 both had gas and oil shows in the Carboniferous–lower Permian succession and are within the Release Area (Figure 2, Figure 3 and Figure 4). The identification of the Beehive Prospect to the east of the Release Area in Carboniferous and Ordovician rocks, raises the possibility of unevaluated older plays. The Release Area offers a range of play types including horst blocks and rotated fault blocks, as well as inversion-related anticlines, fault dependent closures, fault rollover anticlines and stratigraphic traps (Figure 4).

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Figure 5 shows data coverage in the region. 3D seismic coverage is minimal, with some of the Blacktip 3D grid overlapping the corner of the Release Area. 2D seismic coverage is dense on the eastern edge of the Release Area but minimal further westward (Figure 5).

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Petroleum systems elements

Petrel Sub-basin

Sources Permian pro-delta, shoreface and open marine Hyland Bay Subgroup, Kinmore Group Permian fluvial shales and coaly shales of the Keyling Formation Lower Carboniferous marine Bonaparte Formation equivalent (Langfield Group equivalent) and

Tanmurra Formation Upper Devonian–Carboniferous marine mudstone of Bonaparte Formation (Ningbing Group

equivalent) Other unproven Ordovician sources

Reservoirs Lower Triassic marginal marine Ascalon Formation and Permian lacustrine Penguin Formation (Mount Goodwin Subgroup)

Permian shoreface to marine Tern, Cape Hay and Torrens formations (Hyland Bay Subgroup) Permian marginal marine Keyling, fluvial Quoin, and glacial Treachery and Kuriyippi formations Carboniferous marine Aquitaine and Arco formations Devonian–Carboniferous marine Kingfisher Shale, Utting Calcarenite, and Tanmurra (reefal),

Yow Creek, Milligans (basin floor fans) and Bonaparte formations Other untested Ordovician sediments

Seals Regional seals

Jurassic–Cretaceous marine shales of the Flamingo and Bathurst Island groups Triassic marine shales of the Mount Goodwin Subgroup Permian marine Fossil Head Formation and Treachery Shale

Intraformational seals

Permian shoreface to open marine carbonates of the Dombey and Pearce formations (Hyland Bay Subgroup)

Permo-Carboniferous shales of the Kulshill Group Carboniferous marine Weaber Group and Langfield Group equivalent Carboniferous Kingfisher Shale, Milligans and Bonaparte formations Devonian marine Ningbing Group equivalent Ordovician–?Silurian salt diapirs

Traps Inversion anticlines, salt mobilisation faulted anticlines, tilted fault blocks, fault rollover, fault dependent closure, drape and pinch-outs

Infrastructure and marketsRelease Area W16-1 is in proximity to the Blacktip gas pipeline as well as the Ichthys gas pipeline, which has been constructed but will not flow gas until 2017 (ABC, 2015). The release area is adjacent to the Blacktip gas field and the Marina gas accumulation.

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Critical risksExploration success in the region is dependent on the identification of good quality reservoirs and traps capable of retaining economic volumes of hydrocarbons that have access to active source kitchens. Exploration risks include preservation of hydrocarbon accumulations following Early and Late Carboniferous tectonic activity, Triassic uplift and erosion, and Miocene fault reactivation. Salt diapir intrusions, as seen at Pelican Island 1, Matilda 1 and Sandpiper 1, may locally disturb stratigraphy and primary seal capacity but also provide secondary sealing capability. As oil shows occur throughout the Carboniferous and Permian sediments in wells in the southern Petrel Sub-basin, further investigation of vertical and lateral seal integrity is required. Reservoir and source rock quality is variable and poorly understood in older units, with the preservation of porosity and permeability within Devonian–Carboniferous reservoirs and the Keyling Formation a significant risk. The timing of hydrocarbon expulsion for Devonian–Carboniferous petroleum systems in the Petrel Sub-basin is poorly understood. To date, wells have not penetrated either Silurian or older Paleozoic units in the offshore Bonaparte Basin, so offshore plays of this age are highly speculative. Biodegradation and fresh-water flushing is a risk in shallow reservoirs as demonstrated in the Turtle and Barnett accumulations, although oil in deeper reservoirs may be unaltered. Elevated geothermal gradients during the Middle Jurassic, as modelled in Keep River 1, may affect the timing of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in the southern Petrel Sub-basin and adversely affect reservoir quality.

Data setsWells Data and Seismic Survey listings for the Petrel Sub-basin are available on the Supporting Information page.

Marine and environmental information

Release area W16-1 Located in the westernmost Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, 6 km from the Western Australian coastline in water depths of

10–80 m.

Generally soft seabed with mobile sediment and thick Holocene siliciclastic deposits.

Shallow subsurface geology (< 100 m) characterised by northwest-directed palaeochannels and silt-sandy sediment with hard calcrete horizons in places.

Located adjacent to the north and west of the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Commonwealth Marine Reserve Multiple Use Zone (IUCN VI) and to the west of the Special Purpose Zone (IUCN VI).

Potential hazards: mobile sediment at seabed.

Release Area W16-1 is located in shallow-water (8–84 m) in the inner southwest of Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, overlying the western margin of the Petrel Sub-basin. The adjacent bedrock-dominated Kimberley coast stretches from the George River southwards to the Berkeley River, with the latter discharging directly into Release Area W16-1. The seabed is dominated by fine- to medium-grained siliciclastic-rich sediment, with a seaward-thinning wedge of Holocene marine mud to muddy sand. Mud banks up to 15 m thick are developed inshore. The near-surface sediment is dominated by muddy sand to sandy mud with minor bioclasts and calcrete clasts, sourced from the underlying Pleistocene strata. Drowned strand-lines are present inshore. The palaeo-Berkeley and paleao-Ord rivers underlie the central and southeast part of Release Area W16-1.

Potential hazardsThere are areas of mobile sediment present. Modelling of the seabed sediment mobility indicates that sediment motion is greatest in the near-shore areas off the Ord, Keep and Victoria river estuaries, with moderate sediment transport continuing in and around Release Area W16-1 (Przeslawski et al, 2011; Harris and Hughes, 2012).

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Biologically important areasThe following biologically important areas intersect with Release Area W16-1 (National Conservation Values Atlas, 2016):

Snubfin dolphin foraging, breeding and calving area lies off the Ord River and Cape Londonderry.

Overlaps with foraging areas for Flatback, Green and Olive Ridley turtles.

Overlaps with breeding and foraging areas for the Lesser Crested Tern.

Overlaps with a significant prawn fishery zone.

Commonwealth Marine Reserves

Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Commonwealth Marine ReserveThe Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Commonwealth Marine Reserve contains examples of the shallow water ecosystems and communities of the Northwest Shelf Transition Province. This includes the extensive banks that make up the Van Diemen Rise and the Sahul Shelf, broad shelf terraces and the shallow basin in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf (including the Cambridge-Bonaparte, Anson Beagle and Bonaparte Gulf meso-scale bioregions).

Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine ReserveThe Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve contains examples of the ecosystems of two provincial bioregions: the Northwest Shelf Transition Province (which includes the Bonaparte, Oceanic Shoals and Tiwi meso-scale bioregions) and the Timor Transition Province.

Western Australian State Marine Parks

Proposed North Kimberley Marine ParkThe Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife has proposed a Class A marine park including all of the coastal waters from the northern side of St George Basin to the Western Australia/Northern Territory border. The Indicative Joint Management Plan closes for public comment on 20 May 2016.

Berkeley River Special Purpose Zone (recreation and conservation)The Berkeley River Special Purpose Zone lies to south of 14° 13’ S to west of 127° 55’ 30” E, and encompasses the Berkeley River system and its surrounds. The special purpose zone provides conservation for ecologically and culturally important marine ecosystems. Under the Indicative Joint Management Plan the following petroleum exploration activities are not permitted:

Ground-disturbing mineral and petroleum exploration and development, including any activity that disturbs the seabed and/or subsoil within the marine park (i.e. drilling).

Ship loading and other mining related infrastructure.

Assessment is required for the following activity:

Non-ground disturbing geophysical surveys such as aeromagnetics will be assessed by the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum.

The western boundary of Release Area W16-1 abuts the Berkeley River Special Purpose Zone.

General use zones The Indicative Joint Management Plan outlines that assessment is required for the following activities:

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Ground-disturbing mineral and petroleum exploration and development, including any activity that disturbs the seabed and/or subsoil within the marine park (i.e. drilling).

Non-ground disturbing geophysical surveys such as aeromagnetics will be assessed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum.

Ship loading and other mining related infrastructure. The western boundary of release area W16-1 abuts General Use Zones Information resources

Information resourcesNational Conservation Values Atlas

http://www.environment.gov.au/webgis-framework/apps/ncva/ncva.jsf

Australian National Shipwreck Database

http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/heritage/historic-shipwrecks/australian-national-shipwreck-database

Conservation Management Plan for the Blue Whale 2015-2025

http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/blue-whale-conservation-management-plan

Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve

http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-reserves/north/oceanic-shoals

Joseph Bonaparte Gulf Commonwealth Marine Reserve

http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-reserves/north/joseph-bonaparte-gulf

AFMA Commonwealth Fisheries

http://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/

ESD Report Series No. 5: Pearl Oyster Fishery

http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/Documents/esd_reports/esd005.pdf

Geoscience Australia products

Regional geology and seismic Interpreted Horizons and Faults for Seismic Survey 100. Petrel Sub-basin—Digital Horizon and Fault Data in ASCII

Format, 2013. Data Package by Kennard et al, 2013

Line Drawings of AGSO – Geoscience Australia’s Regional Seismic Profiles, Offshore Northern and Northwestern Australia, 2001. Australian Geological Survey Organisation Record 2001/036 by Colwell and Kennard, 2001

Petrel Sub-basin CO2 Data Package, 2013. Data package by Fleming et al, 2012Petrel Sub-basin Study 1995–1996: Summary Report, including Well, Map and Seismic Folios. Australian Geological Survey Organisation Record 1996/040 by Colwell et al, 1996

Seabed Environments and Shallow Geology of the Petrel Sub-basin, Northern Australia SOL5463 (GA0335) Post Survey Report (NLECI Program), 2012. Geoscience Australia Record 2012/066 by Carroll et al, 2012

Stratigraphy Geoscience Australia’s Basin Biozonation and Stratigraphy Chart Series: Bonaparte Basin Biozonation and

Biostratigraphy Chart 34, 2014. Geoscience Australia Stratigraphy Chart by Kelman et al, 2014

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Petroleum systems and accumulations Bonaparte Basin, Northern Territory (NT), Western Australia (WA), Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Adjacent Area (AC), Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA), 2004 Geoscience Australia Report 5 by Cadman and Temple, 2004

Characterisation of Natural Gases from West Australian Basins, 2000. Geoscience Australia Report by Boreham et al, 2000

Light Hydrocarbon Geochemistry of the Bonaparte Basin, Including the Sahul Syncline, Malita Graben and Southern Petrel Sub-basin: Rig Seismic Survey 100: Project 121.22, 1992. Bureau of Mineral Resources Record 1992/047 by Bishop et al, 1992

Oils of Western Australia II, 2005. Geoscience Australia Report by Edwards and Zumberge, 2005

Petrel Sub-basin Well Folio, 1996. Dataset by Kennard, 1996

Petrel Sub-basin Study 1995–1996: Summary Report, including Well, Map and Seismic Folios. Australian Geological Survey Organisation Record 1996/040 by Colwell et al, 1996

Source Rock Time-slice Maps, Offshore Northwest Australia, 2004. Petroleum data, by West et al, 2004

The Petroleum Systems of the Bonaparte Basin, 2004. Dataset by Earl, 2004

Contact Geoscience Australia’s Sales Centre for more information or to order these reports or products, phone 61 (0)2 6249 9966, email sales@ga.gov.au.

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FiguresFigure 1 Structural elements of the Petrel Sub-basin (after Colwell and Kennard, 1996) showing petroleum fields and

discoveries, the location of the 2015 and 2016 Release Areas

Figure 2 Upper Paleozoic and Mesozoic stratigraphy and hydrocarbon discoveries of the Petrel Sub-basin based on the Bonaparte Basin Biozonation and Stratigraphy Chart 34 (Kelman et al, 2014). Geologic Time Scale after Gradstein et al (2012), basin phases after Colwell and Kennard (1996)

Figure 3 Paleozoic stratigraphy and hydrocarbon discoveries of the Petrel Sub-basin based on the Bonaparte Basin Biozonation and Stratigraphy Chart 34 (Kelman et al, 2014). Geologic Time Scale after Gradstein et al (2012), basin phases after Colwell and Kennard (1996)

Figure 4       Play Types in the vicinity of the Release Area

Figure 5 Seismic and well data in the vicinity of the Release Areas in the Petrel Sub-basin, Bonaparte Basin

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