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Geothermal constraints on the hydrocarbon potential of the Canning Basin, Western Australia

Created 17/10/2025

Updated 17/10/2025

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Limited quantities of hydrocarbons have been recovered from only three of the 96 exploration wells drilled in the Canning Basin. Although unsuitable reservoir and entrapment situations account for much of this poor record, part of the total lack of commercial success is thought to be related to the nature of potential source rocks and their level of maturation. Temperature is considered to be the most important influence on the maturation process. Despite their inaccuracy, logging run temperatures have been used to delineate regional thermal trends. Geothermal gradients are high over positive structural elements, and low in the deep pre-Permian basins; they show an inverse relation with depth to magnetic basement. Some anomalously high gradients occur near deep-seated faults and may result from upward migration of hot waters. Palaeotemperatures were derived from vitrinite reflectance measurements in 16 wells; in most areas, with the exception of anticlines in the Fitzroy Graben, they approximate present temperatures. Formation temperatures in these anticlines were reduced following pronounced uplift during Triassic tectonism. The simple relationship of past and present temperatures allows a direct comparison between indicators of organic metamorphism and present temperatures. Such a comparison reveals that in Palaeozoic rocks onshore, the zone of oil generation lies between the 50° and 75°C isotherms. This relatively low temperature range of the liquid window reflects the prolonged burial of the Palaeozoic sediments. Offshore, predominantly immature Mesozoic sediments overlie supermature Palaeozoic sediments. Reservoir and thermal considerations limit prospective areas to the Permian and Carboniferous sediments of the Lennard Shelf, Fitzroy Graben and Kidson Sub-basin. Source-rock studies may further reduce the viable exploration areas.

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Field Value
Title Geothermal constraints on the hydrocarbon potential of the Canning Basin, Western Australia
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/bc2e3236-3bb8-4ca2-a892-aa15bbd641aa
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia Data
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 20/04/2018
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
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  "type": "Polygon"
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Data Portal Geoscience Australia

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Geoscience Australia "Geothermal constraints on the hydrocarbon potential of the Canning Basin, Western Australia". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/geothermal-constraints-on-the-hydrocarbon-potential-of-the-canning-basin-western-australia