Longshore Sediment Supply to the Deep Ocean. The current model to supply sand to deep water off continental margins is that provided by rivers operating at low sea level. We propose an alternative model in which sand is provided by longshore transport to deep water at high sea level north of Fraser Island, SE Queensland. Here we will test the validity of our new model by site studies of sea bottom morphology, composition and dynamics. If the model proves true, we will have: 1) generated an entir ....Longshore Sediment Supply to the Deep Ocean. The current model to supply sand to deep water off continental margins is that provided by rivers operating at low sea level. We propose an alternative model in which sand is provided by longshore transport to deep water at high sea level north of Fraser Island, SE Queensland. Here we will test the validity of our new model by site studies of sea bottom morphology, composition and dynamics. If the model proves true, we will have: 1) generated an entirely new exploration model for deepwater hydrocarbons, 2) provided new expertise and seabed maps for generating a superior marine naval defence capability.Read moreRead less
Present-Day Stress and Tectonics of Deltas and Deepwater Fold-Thrust Belts. The key benefit of the project will be to advance our understanding of the geological processes that control the development of deltas, and of the fold-thrust belts located in deepwater adjacent to deltas, by analysis of five examples worldwide. Global hydrocarbon exploration is successfully moving to deepwater fold-thrust belts. One of Australia's key under-explored frontier petroleum provinces is the Australian Bight B ....Present-Day Stress and Tectonics of Deltas and Deepwater Fold-Thrust Belts. The key benefit of the project will be to advance our understanding of the geological processes that control the development of deltas, and of the fold-thrust belts located in deepwater adjacent to deltas, by analysis of five examples worldwide. Global hydrocarbon exploration is successfully moving to deepwater fold-thrust belts. One of Australia's key under-explored frontier petroleum provinces is the Australian Bight Basin. The prospective parts of this basin comprise delta/deepwater fold-thrust belt systems and analysis of more data-rich systems worldwide will help provide the geological knowledge required to help re-invigorate exploration in the Bight Basin.Read moreRead less
The use of outcrop analogues to characterise large-scale deepwater sedimentary architecture. Deepwater turbidite sedimentary systems are one of the modern frontiers in petroleum exploration, with many major discoveries expected from around the world in the next 25 years. Technological advances in the drilling and production of the deepwater hydrocarbons now enable the exploration and exploitation in this realm. However, the geometry, internal architecture and spatial variations of deepwater sand ....The use of outcrop analogues to characterise large-scale deepwater sedimentary architecture. Deepwater turbidite sedimentary systems are one of the modern frontiers in petroleum exploration, with many major discoveries expected from around the world in the next 25 years. Technological advances in the drilling and production of the deepwater hydrocarbons now enable the exploration and exploitation in this realm. However, the geometry, internal architecture and spatial variations of deepwater sandbodies are still poorly understood. By using state-of-the-art outcrop, modern submarine fan and petroleum exploration data, this research project will improve the understanding of the reservoir geometry and internal architecture of deepwater sandbodies. The results will aid in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons in deepwater sedimentary systems.Read moreRead less
Biosphere, hydrocarbon and ore fluid interactions in the Early Precambrian. Ore deposits and petroleum are important for economic and social areas of Australia's growth. New discoveries are needed to maintain Australia's wealth as mines reach the end of operations and petroleum supplies decrease. This project will demonstrate how ore fluids and hydrocarbons interact in the geological environment. It should, therefore greatly expand the conceptual framework in which to explore for both mineral an ....Biosphere, hydrocarbon and ore fluid interactions in the Early Precambrian. Ore deposits and petroleum are important for economic and social areas of Australia's growth. New discoveries are needed to maintain Australia's wealth as mines reach the end of operations and petroleum supplies decrease. This project will demonstrate how ore fluids and hydrocarbons interact in the geological environment. It should, therefore greatly expand the conceptual framework in which to explore for both mineral and hydrocarbon resources, particularly in old, deep and hot basins, which are considered to be the last frontiers of exploration. Outcomes concerning the nature of early life will be of global interest.Read moreRead less
Crustal Stress Field of SE Asia. The key project benefit is to advance our fundamental understanding of tectonic processes such as sedimentary basin development and continental collision. It has major implications for natural hazard assessment and resources exploration in SE Asia, consistent with Australia's participation in the APEC Energy Working Group. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen international links between Australia, SE Asia, the UK, USA and Germany. It will ....Crustal Stress Field of SE Asia. The key project benefit is to advance our fundamental understanding of tectonic processes such as sedimentary basin development and continental collision. It has major implications for natural hazard assessment and resources exploration in SE Asia, consistent with Australia's participation in the APEC Energy Working Group. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen international links between Australia, SE Asia, the UK, USA and Germany. It will provide high-quality research and training experience for the APD and PhD student involved, whom will spend time with research groups and oil companies in Australia, UK, USA and SE Asia. Finally, the project will increase the institutional capacity for contract research in SE Asia.Read moreRead less
Present-Day Crustal Stresses of NW Borneo: Neotectonics of an Active Collisional Margin. The key project benefit is to advance understanding of continental collision and the early evolution of mountain belts using a region with an unrivalled database from hydrocarbon exploration. The project will improve understanding of Australia's northern, collisional margins and petroleum exploration there, which is less advanced than in Borneo. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen in ....Present-Day Crustal Stresses of NW Borneo: Neotectonics of an Active Collisional Margin. The key project benefit is to advance understanding of continental collision and the early evolution of mountain belts using a region with an unrivalled database from hydrocarbon exploration. The project will improve understanding of Australia's northern, collisional margins and petroleum exploration there, which is less advanced than in Borneo. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen international links between Australia, Brunei, Malaysia and Germany. It will provide high quality research training for the RA and PhDs whom will spend time at the Universities of Brunei and Karlsruhe and at Shell Brunei and Shell Malaysia. Finally the project will increase the institutional capacity for contract research in SE Asia.Read moreRead less
Compressional Deformation and Uplift of Australia's Passive Southern Margin. The key project benefit will be to advance our understanding of the processes which cause active deformation of continental margins that are predicted by plate tectonic theory to be passive. We will analyse Australia's 'passive' southern margin because it is an ideal natural laboratory in which to investigate the causes of the deformation of 'passive' continental margins. Hydrocarbon exploration interest and investment ....Compressional Deformation and Uplift of Australia's Passive Southern Margin. The key project benefit will be to advance our understanding of the processes which cause active deformation of continental margins that are predicted by plate tectonic theory to be passive. We will analyse Australia's 'passive' southern margin because it is an ideal natural laboratory in which to investigate the causes of the deformation of 'passive' continental margins. Hydrocarbon exploration interest and investment has waned along much of Australia's southern margin because of lack of understanding of the relative age of the formation of potentially hydrocarbon-bearing structures and the timing of hydrocarbon charge. This project will clarify their relative ages.Read moreRead less