Sedimentary Basins and Resource Analysis (GEOL90048)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25Not available in 2020

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As part of the University’s response to COVID-19 and the associated Government restrictions and guidelines, most subjects will continue to be delivered online in Winter and Semester 2.
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.

Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.

Overview

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This course is taught from first principles and assumes third year knowledge of geology.  It is a sister course to the ‘Basin Evolution and Sequence Stratigraphy’ and ‘Introduction to Structural Geology’ courses that can be taken consecutively or individually to analyse the sediments and structure in basins. The aim is to learn about the types and evolution of basins, their sedimentary fill, the skills needed to analyse the sedimentary sequences and how to evaluate the potential for hydrocarbons, CO2 storage, water, geothermal energy, and minerals. Practically, this will be achieved by comparing and contrasting four eastern Australia basins, each of different type; the Drummond, Cooper-Eromanga, Gippsland, and PNG Fold Belt basins. The key assignment will be to analyse the origin, fill, sediment properties and tectonic history of each basin and to assess its resource potential. 

Basins can be analysed by lithospheric processes and plate tectonic setting. Arc-related basins have high geothermal potential but their poor porosity/permeability limits reservoir capacity for hydrocarbons and CO2 storage. New extensional basins have high heat flow that diminishes with time, causing subsidence facilitating deposition of excellent quartzo-felspathic or carbonate reservoirs and shale or evaporite seals. Foreland basins associated with compression and loading have low heat flow but excellent reservoir and seal potential as well as long-distance migration of water, hydrocarbons and mineralising fluids. Strike-slip basins are variable and resources depend on their previous tectonic history. Source kitchens of organic matter control hydrocarbon potential and are dependent on basin type, anoxia, source of organic matter and heating.

 

Intended learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of the nature and origin of sedimentary basins
  • Learn exploration techniques and strategy
  • Interpret the basin fill and sedimentary environments from core and recorded data
  • Evaluate hydrocarbon, CO2 storage, water, geothermal and mineral resources
  • Interpret seismic data, electric logs and geohistory curves to define potential resources

Generic skills

  • undertake rigorous and independent thinking;
  • Adopt a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks
  • Develop high-level written report and/or oral presentation skills;
  • Interrogate, synthesise and interpret the published literature;
  • Work as part of a team

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

 A knowledge of third-year geology is recommended.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS

DescriptionTimingPercentage

A detailed core description and interpretation of sedimentary environments

  • 300 words
10%

A brief assessment of geochemical analyses and geohistory plots

  • 600 words
20%

A seismic interpretation

  • 600 words
20%

A summary analysis of the resource potential of the four eastern Australia basins

  • 1500 words
50%

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

Not available in 2020

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Basin Analysis, by Allen P.A. & Allen J.R. 2006.

     

  • Subject notes

    Students should bring the following equipment to all practicals: Hand lens, calculator, ruler, coloured pencils, sharpener, eraser.

     

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 3 November 2022