Unconventional Hydrocarbons Project
Overview
The Unconventional Hydrocarbons Section assesses the unconventional hydrocarbon resource potential of Australia’s onshore sedimentary basins. Unconventional hydrocarbons are oil and gas resources that require specialised techniques for extraction and until recently have been largely sub-economic. Australia is likely to host unconventional hydrocarbon reserves in the form of coal seam gas (CSG), shale gas, shale oil and tight gas.
Through research into the regional geology, geomechanics and geochemistry of onshore sedimentary basins, the section aims to improve the understanding of the distribution and extent of Australia’s unconventional hydrocarbon endowment, and provide technical advice to government and industry to support exploration for these resources.
Status
The project’s current work is focused on:
- Developing a national unconventional hydrocarbon resource assessment strategy in collaboration with state and territory geological surveys
- building an inventory of the existing data on unconventional hydrocarbons for resource assessment, and to identify data gaps and define areas for future targeted basin assessments
- mapping the distribution and maturity of shales in Australia’s onshore basins using existing data and screening new samples from current and old wells.
Achievements to Date
A National Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resource Assessment Strategy workshop was held in August 2011. The workshop was hosted by Geoscience Australia and attended by representatives from state and territory geological surveys. The aim of the workshop was to establish the current status of unconventional resource assessment across Australia, and to achieve agreement on developing a unified national approach to future assessments.
Topic contact: energy@ga.gov.au Last updated: February 13, 2012
