Onshore Energy Security Initiative Planning Progress, March 2007

Dr James JohnsonChief, Onshore Energy & Minerals Division

Presented to AMEC, Perth, March 2007

Australian Government

Geoscience Australia

Ministerial Statement to Parliament on Energy Initiatives

14 August, 2006

“ The Government will also commit an additional $58.9 million over five years to identify on-shore energy sources such as petroleum and geothermal energy.”

The Hon John Howard MP

Onshore Energy Security Breakdown of $ per financial year.

06/07 $7.4M07/08 $14.8M08/09 $14.8M09/10 $12.7M10/11 $9.2M

TOTAL $58.9M

Provide geoscientific data to lower exploration risk and stimulate investment in exploration

Commodities• Petroleum• Uranium• Geothermal • ThoriumTools• Seismic• MT• AEM• Radiometrics• Magnetics• Geochemistry• Drilling

To gain new insights into Australia’s potential in diverse energy commodities:

Uranium deposits & occurrences(background: basins & cratons)

Approach

• Scope acquisition programs• Consult with State and Territory

Geological Surveys• Consult with Industry • Refine and Implement

Principles

• NGA programs• Energy Related• Projects will be of National and Strategic

importance• either large survey or high priority

• Collaborative with State/ Territory• Materiality – likely impact• Assists Greenfields exploration

Focus of Presentation

• Will address each of the energy themes• National Projects

• AWAGS • Geochemical Baselines

• Targeted regional projects• Mineral Energy Program - Uranium • Geothermal Energy Program• Onshore Petroleum Program

Radiometrics - The Problem

AYR

HAY

CUE

BEGA

SALE

EDEL

URAL

EULO

RYAN

DARU

BYRO

COBB

BURNIE

MAER

AJANA

COEN

GOVE

PERTH

MANN

WEBB

FINKE

COOK

GILES

ROMA

YAMPI

KIMBA

BOIGU

WEIPA

NEALE

DALBY

WARRI

LUCAS

EUCLA

SCOTT

SURAT

NUYTS

LOUTH

ALROY

WELLS

OLARY

GYMPIE

DERBY

COLAC

HYDEN

BURRA

SYDNEY

TAMBO

WALSH

RASON

DUBBO

COBAR

OUYEN

COLLIE

FROME

GASON

WYOLA

LENNIS

MASON

MOREE

BOULIA

PENOLA

MONTO

WANNA

WYLOO

YARRIE

MUNRO

BOWEN

MOORA

TANAMI

CAIRNS

BELELEWILUNA

TALBOT

BULLEN

LINCOLN

WILSON

RUDALL

QUILPIE

BARLEE

ALBANY

INGHAM

MORRIS

MINILYA

HELENA

OATLANDS

WINTON

DARWIN

WAIGEN

JUNDAH

CULVER

PELLEW

BULLOO

JUBILEE

COPLEY

FORBES

YANREY

MADLEY

SAHARA

BARKER

YARDEA

ASHTON

ROBERT

URISINO

BARTON

ONSLOW

RANKEN

OOLDEA

GALILEE

PENDER

MACKAY

DOBBYN

BOURKE

YALGOO

RUNTON

FOWLER

IPSWICHVERNON

MANUKA

MANARA

MARREE

NYNGAN

QUOBBA

COLLIER

LINDSAY

MANILLAMADURA

COOPER

MCDILLS

EDMUND

TAROOM

JERICHO

BROOME

MENZIES

FOG BAY

DUMMER

TRAINOR

BROWNE

MILDURA

YARINGA

IVANHOE

NEWMAN

PYRAMID

DAMPIER

ROY HILL

STANLEYBENTLEY

MURGOO

NINGHAN

CORNISH

MAURICE

ABMINGA

BENDIGO

ADAVALE

YOUANMI

RODINGA

NOORINA

ELKEDRA

ZANTHUS

WARRINA

JACKSON

ALBERGA

KING ISLAND

DORRIGO

FORREST

HERBERTBETOOTA

NARETHA

INNISFAIL

ALCOOTA

KULGERA

WHYALLA

HASTINGS

WALGETT

AUGUSTA

BARNATO

NABBERU

EMERALD

MACLEAN

EVERARD

ELLISTON

INVERELL GRAFTON

DUKETON

TORRENS

DUCHESS

WIDE BAY

HENBURY

LEONORA

WARWICK

WINTINNA

AURUKUN

HOLROYD

GUNANYA

PINJARRA

MALCOLM

MITCHELL

PERCIVAL

ADELAIDE

CORRIGIN

HUCKITTA

EDJUDINA

RENMARK

SEEMORE

NYMAGEE

KURNALPI

BILLILUNA

MINIGWAL

DONGARA

MAITLAND

YOWALGA

CHILDARA

BRISBANE

BOOLIGAL

PEAK HILL

BLACKALL

MANDORA

CROYDON

WYANDRA

HORSHAM

LIMBUNYA

MCKINLAY

CORDILLO

ANKETELL

BALLARAT

LAUNCESTON

MOSSMAN

MANEROO

HAMILTON

LARRIMAH

NARRABRI

KINGSTON

BEDOURIE

CHOWILLA

TABLETOP

TANGORIN

ORROROO

DUARINGA

MENINDEE

GAIRDNER

NINGALOO

LAWN HILL

BARALABA

KINGSCOTE

TOOMPINE

ENNGONIA

PINNAROO

WAVE HILL

LISSADELL

BATHURST

HAY RIVER

LAVERTON

CAPE ARID

SWAN HILL

DRYSDALE

BEETALOO

HOMEBOIN

RED RIVER

PORTLAND

CHARNLEY

HILL RIVER

NAPPERBY

BARROLKA

QUEENSTOWN

RICHMOND

ATHERTON

MILINGIMBI

TARCOOLA

DELAMERE

WINDORAH

MOUNT ISA

WILCANNIA

CANBERRA

LAGRANGE

TICKALARA

EBAGOOLA

LAKE EYRE

CLERMONT

BUCHANAN

AUVERGNE

URAPUNGA

GOULBURN

GALBRAITH

LOONGANA

NULLAGINE

WATERLOO

MACKUNDA

KATHERINE

PERENJORI

NOONAERA

DENILIQUIN

BIRKSGATE

SHARK BAY

ULLADULLA

MACHATTIE

NORSEMAN

ST ARNAUD

WARRAGUL

GILBERTON

SINGLETON

BURNABBIE

DALHOUSIE

JERILDERIE

BIRDSVILLE

EROMANGA

COOMPANABENCUBBIN

TAMWORTHGILGANDRA

WOORAMEL

PLUMRIDGE

ST GEORGE

BOORABBIN

CHINCHILLA

THROSSELL

HALE RIVER

BALRANALD

COOKTOWN

URANDANGI

POONCARIE

EINASLEIGH

IRWIN INLET

RAWLINSON

KINGOONYA

PINE CREEK

SIR SAMUEL

BUSSELTON

MILPARINKA

WESTWOOD

NARROMINE

CUNDEELEE

NULLARBOR

HANN RIVER

STRZELECKI

ESPERANCE

GERALDTON

SANDSTONE

EDDYSTONE

NEWCASTLE

CROSSLAND

ANGLEDOOL

TALLARINGA

NOOLYEANA

BIRRINDUDU

FREW RIVER

INNAMINCKA

GLENGARRY

BALLADONIA

ROBERTSON

STANSMORE

PEMBERTON

CLONCURRY

GLENBURGH

PORT KEATS

BUNDABERG

LONGREACH

MELBOURNEBAIRNSDALE

CAPE SCOTT

MACDONALD

WALHALLOW

PARACHILNA

KIRKALOCKA

SPRINGVALE

MALLACOOTA

NEWDEGATE

HUGHENDEN

TOBERMORY

ROEBOURNE

LANSDOWNE

TOWNSVILLE

MARBLE BAR

SANDY CAPE

JULIA CREEK

KALGOORLIE

TANUMBIRINI

BURKETOWN

CONNEMARA

ANDAMOOKA

MILLUNGERA

CARGELLIGO

YANTABULLA

DEAL ISLAND

NORMANTON

WARBURTON

CURNAMONA

ANA BRANCH

PROSERPINE

AYERS ROCK

BREMER BAY

PERCY ISLES

BILLA KALINA

WOODROFFE

ORFORD BAY

CAMOOWEAL

ARNHEM BAY

SPRINGSURE

AUGATHELLA

BROKEN HILL

NARACOORTE

FLINDERS ISLAND

TANAMI EAST

MOUNT THEO

CALLABONNACURDIMURKA

DONORS HILL

YARRALOOLA

CHARLEVILLE

DIRRANBANDI

CANTERBURY

ROPER RIVER

CUNNAMULLA

MORNINGTON

MUTTABURRA

WHITE CLIFFS

AVON DOWNS

OODNADATTA

STREAKY BAY

GOONDIWINDI

DIXON RANGE

NARRANDERA

QUEENSCLIFF

WANGARATTA

DUMBLEYUNG

LAKE MACKAY

MUNDUBBERA

TUREE CREEK

NOONKANBAH

TALLANGATTA

MOUNT LIEBIG

DALY WATERS

ST LAWRENCE

BONNEY WELL

COBHAM LAKE

MOUNT PEAKE

POOLOWANNA

JUNCTION BAY

TWEED HEADS

COOBER PEDY

CLARKE RIVER

THE GRANITES

WOLLONGONG

LANDER RIVER

MOUNT BRUCE

GEORGETOWN

PORT CLINTON

BLUE MUD BAY

WINNING POOLHERON ISLAND

MOUNT YOUNG

JARDINE RIVER

KELLERBERRIN

ALICE SPRINGS

CALVERT HILLS

MOUNT RENNIE

PANDIE PANDIE

CAPE MELVILLE

LONDONDERRY

LAKE AMADEUS

PORT HEDLAND

MCLARTY HILLS

ROCKHAMPTON

PORT AUGUSTA

MOUNT EVELYN

COOTAMUNDRA

WAGGA WAGGA

TRUANT ISLAND

MEDUSA BANKS

TORRES STRAIT

PORT LANGDON

CAPE BEATRICE

BLOODS RANGE

MARYBOROUGH

MOUNT BARKER

BEDOUT ISLAND

GLENORMISTON

LENNARD RIVER

HELEN SPRINGSMOUNT RAMSAY

JOANNA SPRING

MURLOOCOPPIE

MOUNT WHELAN

MOUNT DOREEN

THARGOMINDAH

CAMDEN SOUNDPRINCE REGENT

BARROW CREEK

MOUNT COOLON

RAVENSTHORPE

ILLOGWA CREEK

MOUNT PHILLIPS

LAKE JOHNSTON

BROWSE ISLAND

BARROW ISLAND

TENNANT CREEK

KOPPERAMANNA

DURHAM DOWNS

WESTMORELAND

RUTLAND PLAINS

GORDON DOWNS

WIDGIEMOOLTHA

HERMANNSBURG

COFFS HARBOUR

ROBINSON RIVER

KENNEDY RANGE

MELVILLE ISLANDWESSEL ISLANDS

BAUHINIA DOWNS

BALFOUR DOWNS

MOUNT EGERTON

CAPE WEYMOUTH

SANDOVER RIVER

ALLIGATOR RIVER

CAMBRIDGE GULF

HIGHLAND ROCKS

MOUNT MARUMBA

WINNECKE CREEK

MOUNT SOLITAIRE

ROBINSON RANGE

CAPE VAN DIEMEN

HODGSON DOWNS

BATHURST ISLAND

MONDRAIN ISLAND

PATERSON RANGE

BRIGHTON DOWNS

MOUNT ELIZABETH

SOUTHERN CROSS

BRUNETTE DOWNS

MOUNT ANDERSON

MONTAGUE SOUND FERGUSSON RIVER

MOUNT DRUMMOND

CHARTERS TOWERS

MOUNT BANNERMAN

SOUTH LAKE WOODS

COBOURG PENINSULA

GREEN SWAMP WELL

NEWCASTLE WATERS

PETERMANN RANGES

HOUTMAN ABROLHOS

VICTORIA RIVER DOWNS

SIMPSON DESERT SOUTH

SIMPSON DESERT NORTH

108°E 114°E

120°E

120°E

126°E

126°E

132°E

132°E 138°E

138°E

144°E

144°E

150°E

150°E

156°E

40°S40°S

36°S36°S

32°S32°S

28°S28°S

24°S24°S

20°S20°S

16°S16°S

12°S12°S

8°S8°S

108°E

114°E

156°E

8°S

44°S 44°S

8°S

1:10,000,000

Murray Richardson20 June 2006

200 0 200 400 600 800 1,000

Kilometers

Sub-standard data

> 3200m line spacing

3000m - 3200m line spacing

usually 1500m - 1600m line spacing

At June 2006Appropriate standard data

<= 500m line spacing

2006/07 Acquisition by States

National Radiometrics Datum

AWAGS Project Timing

Project Scoping Sept 2006Call for Tenders Sept 2006Evaluation of Tenders Nov 2006Survey Commences Feb 2007Survey Completed May 2008Databases upgraded Nov 2008

Science Drivers

• Radiometrics• Uranium and Thorium Exploration• Heat Flow Studies – Geothermal• Radiation Risk Mapping• Geological Mapping @ surface - regolith,

• Magnetics• Lower crustal studies – structure,

composition & thermal regime• Petroleum resources –modelling

sedimentary basins• Accurate Regional Field for magnetic

modelling• Crustal accretion & evolution,

~1600 catchments (>1200 km2)~1 site/5000 km2

Baseline Geochemistry Survey

Mineral Energy ProgramUranium - Initiative

• Deposit Types• What are the potential unifying themes

• IOCG-U deposits • eg Olympic Dam

• Unconformity related deposits• Proterozoic

• Arnhem Land, Paterson

• Palaeo-channel deposits• Post-Permian systems

• Close to hot granites

Seismic and MT - Crustal Structure& Petroleum Potential

Moho

S 50 km V:H=1

partly ?mafic reflector

Olympic Dam

Palaeoproterozoic units

Archaean crust? Proterozoic crust?

Wirrda WellHiltaba graniteGRV

Olympic Dam above suture

IOCG-U plays

Uranium deposits & occurrences

U-rich iron oxide Cu-Au (IOCG) & basin-related U

Unconformity-related U; sandstone-hosted U, Calcrete U

Relevance of seismic to Minerals

4000 8000

Ockerbury

OckerburyShear Zone

Shear Zone

YamarnaYamarna

Shear Zone

Shear Zone

LavertonLavertonShear Zone

Shear Zone

?? New Mineral Field

Reconstruction of Basin Shape and Sediment Architecture

PaleoproterozoicNorthern Australia

U- Fluid Reservoirs/Aquifer

Unconformity-related

Seismic

• Reprocessing of (GA) Deep Crustal and key industry petroleum data

• Energy Related Minerals & Geothermal• Crustal architecture

• Controls on IOCG-U deposits• Location of HHP Granites• Basin architecture for U-fluid sandstone

reservoirs

Seismic acquisition by Year of OESP

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

Base map: Surface geology

Region D

Region B

Region A

Region C

Geothermal ELs and applications;

Geology base from PIRSA

;

SA Seismic proposal overview(high priority corridors for seismic acquisition shown in yellow)

SA Seismic proposal overview(high priority corridors for seismic acquisition shown in yellow)

Objectives of new seismic (1)

IOCG-U mineralising systems:• What distinguishes architecture of U-rich

from U-poor IOCG systems?• Can we trace the crustal boundary &

“bland zone” beneath OD to NW and to SE?

• Is architecture of Benagerie Ridge in Curnamona Province similar to OD area?

Objectives of new seismic (2)

• Unconformity and other basin U systems:• Is Cariewerloo Basin (Pandurra Fm)

prospective for unconformity U? Need to know geometry of basin.

• What is architecture of pre-syn-GRV basins (Corunna Cong., Blue Range Beds?)

• Geometry of upper crustal faults in Mt Painter-Beverly 4 Mile area?

Products - Uranium

• Seismic data, sections and interpretation• 2D maps showing predicted “high

potential” areas; regional and national scale

• 3D maps of crustal structure for IOCG(U)s, & basin architecture for unconformity U, & paleo-channels for sandstone U

• GIS of U prospective areas, with U mineral systems criteria contained

• Reports on U potential in all areas new data acquired

• Publications on new regional synthesis

AEM program• Map and define using surveys with 1-5 km

wide line spacing• depth to basement, • major paleochannel systems • graphitic rocks in basement and reductants

in potential sandstone (U) reservoirs

• Map palaeochannel systems and possible graphitic rocks in more detail in proximity to provinces with hot granites (~1km line spacing)

Geoscience Australia

Potential AEM projects – U

Pine Creek

Mt Isa

Frome

EyrePeninsula

Paterson

NorthYilgarn

SE Yilgarn

Ngalia-Amadeus

Birrindudu-Tanami

Gascoyne

Uranium potential by province

Unknown or no potential

Low

Low to moderate

Moderate

Moderate to high

High

1/ Paterson2/ Frome3/ Pine Creek4/ Birrindudu/Tanami5/ Eyre Peninsula6/ Mt Isa7/ Nth Yilgarn

GascoyneWestmorelandAmadeus-NgaliaSth Yilgarn

Paterson Airborne EM Survey

RUDALL

SAHARA

ANKETELL

TABLETOP

YARRIE

RUNTONGUNANYA

JOANNA SPRING

NULLAGINE PATERSON RANGE

MUNRO

BALFOUR DOWNS

ROBERTSON

MANDORA MCLARTY HILLS

URAL

DUMMER

PERCIVAL

MORRIS

CROSSLAND

5

4

6

3

2a

2b

1

Telfer

Kintyre

121°30'E

121°30'E 123°E

123°E

124°30'E

124°30'E

23°S 23°S

22°S 22°S

21°S 21°S

20°S 20°S

0 50 km

GDA 1994 MGA Zone 51proposed AEM surveyknown Coolbro Sandstone outcropsinferred Coolbro SandstoneRudall National Park Area # Line

SpacingLine kms

1 0.5 436

2a 1 4,825

2b 1 3,353

3 1 3,462

4 2 4,418

6 2 3,827

5 2 8,888

4

1

2a

3

2b

5

6

SA Projects workshopped with PIRSA

1/ Frome Embayment-Murray Basin

2/Eyre Peninsula

Frome embaymentProposed AEM acquisition

33°S

32°S

31°S

30°S

Frome- palaeochannel deposits in Eyre Fm (eg. Honeymoon)- palaeochannel deposits in Namba Fm (eg. Beverley)- roll front / groundwater fracture controlled deposits (eg. Beverley 4 Mile)- North Frome- South Frome- Murray Basin- Total

7,231 km2

17,789 km2

2,582 km2

27,602 km2

Palaeochannels (PIRSA)

Proposed AEM surveyCurrent Fugro surveys

!( Uranium occurrences

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(

!(!( !(!(

!(

!(!(

!(

!(

!(

!(!( !(

!( !(

!(!(!( !(!(

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!(

!(

!(

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!(

!(!(

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!(!(!(!(

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!(

!(

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!(

!(!(!(!(!(!( !(

Beverley

Honeymo

138°E 139°30'E 141

33°S

32°S

31°S

30°S

North Frome

SouthFrome

MurrayBasin

BackdropGamma-ray data

Geothermal Project

• Geothermal Power• Map of HHP Granites from OZCHEM• Geophysical models for volumes• Thermal conductivities for sediment

blankets• Prospectivity maps

• Geothermal for cities

Geothermal Project

Source map• Granites attributed

• Show High Heat Producing Granites and • Predict which buried granites are HHP; tools -

chemistry, inversion modelling, seismic• High U & Th sediments• Compile attributes of

sedimentary basins, including depth, thermal conductivities, porosity/permeability

Proterozoic

Geothermal Project – heat mapExisting heat flow coverage <150 points

Onshore Petroleum Program

• Aims & Objectives: • Make a significant and material difference

• Focus on greenfield regions with high potential and known source rocks

• Basin framework studies to place known producing plays in a whole of basin and crustal context

• What are the critical datasets that will make a difference?

• What are the fundamental impediments to exploration in these areas?

Onshore Petroleum

• Continent-wide assessment of potential basins and prioritisation

• Sub-salt plays • Kidson sub basin, Canning Basin, WA

• Basin framework and crustal architecture studies –• Pedirka, Warburton, Eromanga and Cooper

Basins, SA, Qld, NT• Middle Cambrian Source

• Lander Trough, NT

Acquisition Stages for a Potential Petroleum Program in Greenfields Regions (WA and

NT/Qld/SA border)

• Magnetics • Acquire magnetics in areas of > 1,500m line

spacing • Interpretation of magnetics

• Seismic• Line location based on integrated studies

including airborne magnetic interpretations• Interpret seismic to confirm structures and basin

architecture • Focussed seismic acquisition program• Potential for targeted stratigraphic drilling

Kidson sub basin Magnetics & Radiometrics Acquisition 800m spacing

Airborne Line Survey SpacingEromanga, Cooper, Pedirka and Warburton Basins

Potential Program

Magnetics 800m line spacing and or Gravity

Regional Seismic

Questions