ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2000

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
S.J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
North West ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
The North ◽  
Timor Sea ◽  
Epbc Act

Last year the petroleum industry witnessed the enactment of new legislation both at Commonwealth and State levels. The principal legislative change to environmental management was the introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act, 2000 (EPBC Act). South Australia and Victoria also implemented new Petroleum Acts and/ or Regulations.Construction of the Eastern Gas Pipeline was also completed last year, whilst preliminary approvals and environmental assessment continues for the Papua New Guinea, Timor Sea and Tasmania Natural Gas pipelines. Offshore exploration continued, particularly in the North West Shelf, Otway Basin, Timor Sea and Bass Strait.Other critical areas of environmental management included greenhouse gases, national pollution inventory reporting and the increasing requirements for environmental approval and management under various state environmental legislation.This paper provides an overview of environmental developments in the petroleum industry during the year 2000, in particular, the implication of new legislation, new technology, e-commerce and a greater focus on environmental reporting.

Review of the 2009 offshore petroleum exploration release areas

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 465
Author(s):  
Thomas Bernecker
Keyword(s):  
Deep Water ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
Release Date ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Release Area ◽  
Block Sizes

The Australian Government formally releases new offshore exploration areas at the annual APPEA conference. This year, 31 areas plus two special areas in five offshore basins are being released for work program bidding. Closing dates for bid submissions are either six or twelve months after the release date (i.e. 3 December 2009 and 29 April 2010), depending on the exploration status in these areas is and on data availability. The 2009 release areas are located in Commonwealth waters offshore Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria, comprising intensively explored areas close to existing production as well as new frontiers. As usual, the North West Shelf features very prominently and is complimented by new areas along the southern margin, including frontier exploration areas in the Ceduna Sub-basin (Bight Basin) and the Otway Basin. The Bonaparte Basin is represented by one release area in the Malita Graben, while five areas are available in the Southern Browse Basin in an under-explored area of the basin. A total of 14 areas are being released in the Carnarvon Basin, with eight areas located in the Dampier Sub-basin, three small blocks in the Rankin Platform and three large blocks on the Northern Exmouth Plateau (these are considered a deep water frontier). In the south, six large areas are on offer in the Ceduna Sub-basin and five areas of varying sizes are being released in the Otway Basin, including a deep water frontier offshore Victoria. The special release areas are located in the Petrel Sub-basin, Bonaparte Basin offshore Northern Territory, and encompass the Turtle/Barnett oil discoveries. The 2009 offshore acreage release offers a wide variety of block sizes in shallow as well as deep water environments. Area selection has been undertaken in consultation with industry, the states and Territory. This year’s acreage release caters for the whole gamut of exploration companies given that many areas are close to existing infrastructure while others are located in frontier offshore regions. As part of Geoscience Australia’s Offshore Energy Security Program, new data has been acquired in offshore frontier regions and have yielded encouraging insights into the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Ceduna-Sub-basin.

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION PREVIEW FOR 1967

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
M. A. Condon
Keyword(s):  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Petroleum Exploration ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Oil Markets ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Timor Sea ◽  
The Government ◽  
Average Size ◽  
The Cost

Exploration for petroleum in Australia paused in 1966 and this pause is likely to continue in 1967.The number of wells drilled and seismic activity will both be slightly less in 1967 than in 1966, but the work will generally be directed to more specific targets. The cost of exploration will be somewhat higher than in 1966.During the year off-shore drilling should increase and it is expected that five mobile rigs will be drilling in the offshore areas by the end of the year. The immediate structural targets available for these rigs are in the Gippsland, Bass and Otway Basins (Victoria-Tasmania), the North-West Shelf and Timor Sea-Bonaparte Gulf, and in the Gulf of Papua.Onshore exploration will be concentrated in the western Australian basins, the Surat Basin, the central Great Artesian Basin, and the Gidgealpa region of the southwestern Great Artesian Basin.The success or otherwise of the off-shore drilling will determine the rate of exploration over the next few years. If important discoveries are made off-shore, these may and probably would result in more intensive exploration of the same stratigraphic intervals onshore.The exploration patterns of Australia and several other countries before and after first commercial discovery are compared. This indicates that Australian discovery came early, as compared with other countries, where production has developed since the war, but that post-discovery effort in Australia has been very much less. The main obvious differences appear to be that in Australia the average size of the exploration concession is very much larger and the number of operators (having regard to the areas concerned) is much smaller, than in the other successful countries.There has been a gradual movement towards reducing the size of operating areas in Australia either by obligatory relinquihment or by farmout, but if discoveries are to be made at a satisfactory rate more operators are needed in every basin.The economic environment of Australia vis-a-vis Middle East oil and oil markets is probably the main basic reason for the peculiar exploratory pattern, which has impelled the Government to provide financial incentives to encourage exploration and development.

REASSESSING POTENTIAL ORIGINS OF SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (SAR) SLICKS FROM THE TIMOR SEA REGION OF THE NORTH WEST SHELF ON THE BASIS OF FIELD AND ANCILLARY DATA

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.T. Jones ◽  
G.A. Logan ◽  
J.M. Kennard ◽  
N. Rollet
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Aperture Radar ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Synthetic Aperture ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Timor Sea ◽  
Natural Hydrocarbon ◽  
Aperture Radar

The Timor Sea region of the North West Shelf is one of natural hydrocarbon accumulation and seepage, which has been investigated by integrated remote sensing studies in the past 10 years. One of the primary tools incorporated in these studies has been Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). During a recent Geoscience Australia marine survey to the Yampi Shelf area, active hydrocarbon seepage was directly observed in the form of gas plumes rising from the sea-floor. Active seepage was not observed in areas associated with dense clusters of elongated to irregularshaped features in the SAR data, which have previously been interpreted as natural hydrocarbon seepage slicks. These slicks, and another dense cluster of slicks across the Browse–Bonaparte Basin Transition Zone, are reassessed in the context of alternative formational processes.Mapping of bathymetric channels directly beneath the SAR slicks using multi-beam swath bathymetry and measurement of tidal currents using an acoustic doppler current profiler indicates that tidal current flows may have contributed to slick formation over the Yampi Shelf headland. In contrast, coral spawning may have contributed to the formation of annular to crescent-shaped SAR slicks associated with submerged reefs and shoals over the nearby transition zone. Subsequent to identifying potential alternative origins for these two types of SAR features, the remaining slicks across the area were re-categorised on the basis of their size and shape in the context of ancillary hydrographic and environmental data. An alternative nonseepage origin was established for most of the 381 SAR slicks previously identified as being related to natural hydrocarbon seepage. This may necessitate a significant downgrading of the extent and frequency of active hydrocarbon (particularly oil) seepage in the region.

SUBMARINE GRAVITY SURVEYS IN ST. VINCENT GULF AND INVESTIGATOR STRAIT, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, IN RELATION TO OIL SEARCH

1965 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
C. Sprigg ◽  
W. F. Stackler
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
Maximum Error ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Northern Margin ◽  
North West ◽  
Gravity Station ◽  
The North ◽  
Upper Proterozoic ◽  
Coastal Beach

A total of 476 submarine and 307 coastal (beach) stations has been observed in and about St. Vincent Gulf and Investigator Strait. These were observed from the oceanographic vessel 'Saori' by manned sea-floor diving chamber, and/or scuba-operated encapsuled meter. Location control was by theodolite fix as from the shore and/or by sextant fix.The survey has provided Bouguer gravity station data contourable on 1 milligal intervals with an estimated maximum error of ± 0.3 milligals in the more remote seaward situations (principally due to surveying), down to ± 0.1 in closer inshore situations.The survey hasdefined the principal structural elements in and about St. Vincent Gulf and Investigator Strait;defined the western margin of the Upper Proterozoic to Cambrian Adelaide Geosyncline;provided a more detailed understanding of coastal block-faulting about the western escarpment of the Mt. Lofty Ranges;defined a longitudinal series of gravitational maxima beneath the Orontes Platform which are predicted to relate primarily to Cambrian fold structures, and which are probably erosionally breached in the north;outlined the probable margin of the submarine portion of the Troubridge (Permian) infra-basin;located a gravitational cross-feature displaying a strong north-south gradient opposite Port Vincent that relates in part to the northern margin of the Troubridge Permian infra-basin, but which appears also to be a locus of transcurrent faulting displaying south-block-west movement;subdivided the St. Vincent Basin into two provinces via a north-west-south-east structure extending south-east from about Macintosh Bank. Possible faulting in this zone indicates downthrow to the north defining potential southern limits of deeper Tertiary basin development.

OIL AND GAS PROSPECTS OF THE GELTWOOD BEACH ANTICLINE, MILLICENT, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
R. C. SPRIGG ◽  
J. B. WOOLLEY
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Industrial Town ◽  
Half Graben ◽  
Oil Seepage

The Geltwood Beach (buried) anticline is located near the ocean coast in south-east South Australia, directly west of the agricultural and industrial town of Millicent. The structure is developed in Mesozoic to Tertiary sediments forming the inner part of the continental sedimentary terrace which in this situation coincides also with the Nelson "half-graben".The Geltwood Beach anticline is more than five miles long by two or more miles wide. It is part of a still larger regional development which pitches south-east into the deeper known portions of the Gambier-Otway Cretaceous to Tertiary Basin. There is no surface expression to the structure.Structural "closure" on the base of the Tertiary may not exceed 100 feet, but an extensive area of structural flattening along the crest of the anticline (defined by structural drilling and geophysical techniques) overlies a zone of extensive sedimentary wedge-out within the predicted and prospective cretaceous sediments in depth. The wedging is predicted to be in the nature of progressive overlap onto structural "nosing" or alternatively, buried-ridge development in presumed Otway Group sediments in depth.A thickness of 5,000 to 8,000 feet of unconsolidated Upper Cretaceous to Tertiary sediments, wedging to the north-west along the crest of the anticline in the deeper developments is expected to include the prospective Belfast Mudstone equivalents and related beds of the Port Campbell (Victoria) Association.The Geltwood Beach structure lies approximately half way between the Mt. Salt No. 1 and Beachport No. 1 wells. In the distance of 45 miles between the latter wells, the dominantly Cretaceous (post-Otway) sedimentary section wedges spectacularly from 7,000 feet (possibly considerably more) to no more than 100 feet. The available geophysical evidence suggests that most of this wedging occurs within the zone of the Geltwood Beach anticline. For this reason, the anticline is believed to be well located for the development of structural and stratigraphic traps in a marginal continental shelf environment of proven thick sedimentation.In the Mt. Salt No. 1 well, clays and shales encountered at at least five stratigraphic levels within the Lower Tertiary to Middle Cretaceous section provided adequate capping to underlying highly porous and permeable reservoir sands, the lowermost of which were brine-bearing.Geltwood Beach is a locale of preferred coastal bitumen stranding. The weight of published evidence now points to nearby submarine seepage within the reach of erosive storm waves: recorded earthquakes in this vicinity are known to have greatly affected the activity of these seepages.The conclusion is reached that the Geltwood Beach anticline is favourably situated up-dip on the inner continental shelf margin to accumulate hydrocarbons in potentially commercial quantities. The structure lies south of the Beachport-Kalangadoo "hinge-line" of the Nelson half-graben in a zone of submarine oil seepage. A proposed deep test well to be located near the culmination of shallower structure is expected to provide a satisfactory test in respect to both structural and (to a lesser extent) deeper stratigraphic entrapment of petroleum.

UPPER PERMIAN CARBONATE RESERVOIRS OF THE NORTH WEST SHELF AND NORTHERN PERTH BASIN, AUSTRALIA

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D. Gorter ◽  
J.M. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Upper Permian ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Secondary Porosity ◽  
North West ◽  
Associated Gas ◽  
The North ◽  
Timor Sea ◽  
Primary Porosity ◽  
Carnarvon Basin

The Perth, Carnarvon, Browse, and Bonaparte basins contain Permian shallowmarine carbonates. Interbedded with clastic oil and gas reservoirs in the northern Perth Basin (Wagina Formation), and gas reservoirs in the Bonaparte Basin (Cape Hay and Tern formations), these carbonates also have the potential to contain significant hydrocarbon reservoirs. Limestone porosity may be related to the primary depositional fabric, or secondary processes such as dolomitisation, karstification, and fracturing. However, in the Upper Permian interval of the North West Shelf and northern Perth Basin, where there are no indications of significant preserved primary porosity in the limestones, all known permeable zones are associated with secondary porosity. Fractured Permian carbonates have the greatest reservoir potential in the Timor Sea. Tests of fractured Pearce Formation limestones in Kelp Deep–1 produced significant quantities of gas, and a test of fractured Dombey Formation limestone in Osprey–1 flowed significant quantities of water and associated gas. Minor fracture porosity was associated with gas shows in dolomitic limestones in Fennel–1 in the Carnarvon Basin, and fractures enhance the reservoir in the Woodada Field in the northern Perth Basin. Karst formation at sub-aerial unconformities can lead to the development of secondary porosity and caverns, as in the Carnarvon Basin around Dillson–1. Minor karst is also developed at the top Dombey Formation unconformity surface in the Timor Sea region.

Studies in the ecology of the Riverine Plain. IV. Basal area and density changes of Danthonia caespitosa Gaudich, in a natural pasture grazed by sheep

1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 565 ◽  
Author(s):  
OB Williams
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Steady State Condition ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture

The changes in basal area and density of Danthonia caespitosa were measured over the 9-year period 1949-1957 by charting permanent quadrats in plots which were ungrazed, and lightly, moderately, and heavily grazed. Compared with the control, the grazing treatments had no effect on basal area, and a significant but not substantial effect on the contribution made by the various age groups of the dominant grass. There were no real differences between the age groups of D. caespitosa on continuously and intermittently grazed treatments, and it is suggested that the design of grazing experiments might be simplified, cognizance being given to the stage of degeneration reached by the pasture, and to the possibility that seasonal deferment procedures might cause substantial changes in botanical composition.. In the autumn or winter of 1951 the mature population of D. caespitosa was almost wiped out and the build-up of basal area and density over the 1951-1957 period was very slow. Dry summers and the late arrival of the opening rains in autumn appeared to be responsible for substantial losses in D. caespitosa. Abnormally high rainfall during the preceding growth season appeared to accentuate these losses. In the gilgai microrelief death rates were greater on the depression than on the shelf. It is suggested that the D. caespitosa grassland was degraded, and reached a "steady state" condition under the influence of cattle, sheep, rabbits, and drought. If grazing treatments are to induce changes in such a plant population, such treatments must be a wide departure from the previous procedures which have given rise to the existing plant community. The results are discussed in relation to grazing experiments in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and the north-west of Western Australia.

Studies on the Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby, Petrogale xanthopus Gray (Marsupialia : Macropodidae) I. Distribution in South Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
PB Copley
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Introduced Herbivores ◽  
Flinders Ranges ◽  
South Wales

Petrogale xanthopus still occurs over most of its former range in South Australia. It is widespread in the Flinders Ranges, where almost 200 colonies are now known, and is locally common in areas of both the Rinders Ranges and Olary Hills. Six colonies are currently known in the western Gawler Ranges with an outlying population on Carriewerloo Station only 50 km west of Port Augusta. Seven colonies have been found in the Olary Hills, to the north and north-west of Olary. The species has suffered a major decline in abundance since European settlement, having become extinct locally throughout this range. Hunting for skins, competition with introduced herbivores for food and shelter, and predation by foxes seem to be the main reasons for this decline. However, it is still not possible to say whether the species currently has a decreasing population and is at risk, is in equilibrium, or is increasing. Information published in this paper and current studies in South Australia and New South Wales should soon determine this.

WILTJA: Model of Education Delivery

1993 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
John Amadio
Keyword(s):  
South Australia ◽  
The State ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
The People ◽  
Education Delivery ◽  
Mainstream Culture

The Pitjantjatjara people in the north west of South Australia and the Yalata Community in the far west of the state identify as Anangu (the people) Anangu culture is very different in many ways from the mainstream culture largely associated with urban centres but some of the aspects in common include a desire to maintain their culture and lifestyle, wanting a favourable future for their children and their communities, and a desire to be self managing.

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