A Petroleum Systems Analysis and Characterization of the Frontier Ceduna Sub-Basin in Australia

The Ceduna Sub-basin is one of the few remaining frontier basins in Australia today. Few exploration wells have been drilled in the basin and none have encountered hydrocarbons. The current study aims to investigate the hydrocarbon prospectivity of an area of interest (AOI) within the distal part of the Ceduna Sub-basin, where no well information is available. The study uses 3D seismic data and employs principles from geophysics, structural geology, sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, and petroleum systems analysis in a comprehensive investigation to understand the Ceduna Sub-basin. Multiple 2D basin models were created for the AOI to test different scenarios in a detailed risk analysis of the petroleum system and its major controls. They were identified from a comprehensive literature review and after a thorough interpretation of the 3D seismic survey in the AOI. Results show that the best reservoir is located within the low stand systems tract (LST) deposits of the Hammerhead Sandstone (Ss) and Top Tiger Ss. The potential source rock occurs in the condensed high stand system tract (HST) deposits in the Base Tiger Ss and White Pointer Ss. 1D modeling showed that these source rocks may have generated hydrocarbons as their depth is <9 km. The critical moment during the source rock history was at 80 Ma coinciding with the deposition of the Hammerhead Ss. Based on the regional structural framework, faults were initiated after source rock deposition. Several growth faults may pose a risk in terms of hydrocarbon leakage. Different 2D models have advanced the understanding of the petroleum systems in the AOI. The results showed that the most prospective areas are within a rollover anticline play and those areas where intra-formational seals are present. The model confirms that fault integrity represents the prime risk across the basin. The current study contributes to understanding of the Ceduna Sub-basin by identifying two different plays in the AOI: rollover anticline and tilted fault block. Probability analysis of the different petroleum elements shows that the rollover anticline play has the highest geological probability of success.