Interpretation and modelling of the Pedirka Basin (central Australia) using magnetics and gravity

The intracratonic Pedirka Basin of central Australia remains a frontier for petroleum exploration. The basin has sufficient components for a petroleum system however exploration efforts are yet to discover trapped hydrocarbon reservoirs. This project comprehensively outlines aspects of the Pedirka Basin including exploration history, structural and tectonic elements, stratigraphy, potential field interpretation techniques and an overview of the petroleum system. Usage of high quality publicly available magnetics and regional gravity datasets illustrated cost saving methods for exploration. Filters applied to potential field data included 1st vertical derivative, total gradient, upward continuation and Euler deconvolution. Insights gained included detection of a subtle magnetic signature from the surficial sand dunes and acknowledgement that the magnetic Mereenie Sandstone unit shows negligible magnetic influence beyond 600m depth beneath the Pedirka Basin sediments. Total sediment thickness of up to between 8 and 14km in the Madigan Trough was suggested by Euler depths. The range of thermal gradients (38-42°C/km) from existing wells-logs suggests a curie point temperature is reached at approximately 15km depth indicating the maximum depth of which magnetic signatures can be attributed to. Potential field data was combined with eight available seismic sections and five well logs (Mt. Hammersley-1, Mt. Crispe-1, Blamore-1, Simpson-1 and Hale River-1) to assist in magnetic and gravity 2D section modelling.