<p>In the South Nicholson region of Queensland and the Northern Territory, the Paleoproterozoic Isa Superbasin and the Mesoproterozoic South Nicholson Basin have the potential to host both conventional and unconventional petroleum systems (Gorton & Troup, 2018). The region remains poorly explored however with only 19 petroleum wells drilled in total (Carr et al., 2016). Although nine stratigraphic intervals are described as potential source rocks, data coverage is extremely limited and a large proportion of the available data is old and of poor quality. To more comprehensively characterise these organic rich source rocks, higher resolution coverages of pre-competitive geochemical data is required (Jarrett et al. 2018). <p>This report contains the total organic carbon (TOC) content and Rock-Eval pyrolysis data of 674 samples selected from twelve drill cores housed in the Geological Survey of Queensland’s Brisbane core repository including Amoco DDH 83-1, Amoco DDH 83-2, Amoco DDH 83-3, Amoco DDH 83-4, Argyle Creek 1, Armraynald 1, Burketown 1, Desert Creek 1, Egilabria 1, Egilabria 2 DW1, Egilabria 4, Morstone 1, MORSTONE DDH1. This data was generated at the Isotope and Organic Geochemistry Laboratory at Geoscience Australia as part of the Exploring for the Future program.

The Habanero Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) in central Australia has been under development since 2002, with several deep (more than 4000 m) wells drilled to date into the high-heat-producing granites of the Big Lake Suite. Multiple hydraulic stimulations have been performed to improve the existing fracture permeability in the granite. Stimulation of the newly-drilled Habanero-4 well (H-4) was completed in late 2012, and micro-seismic data indicated an increase in total stimulated reservoir area to approximately 4 km². Two well doublets have been tested, initially between Habanero-1 (H-1) and Habanero-3 (H-3), and more recently, between H-1 and H-4. Both doublets effectively operated as closed systems, and excluding short-term flow tests, all production fluids were re-injected into the reservoir at depth. Two inter-well tracer tests have been conducted: the first in 2008, and the most recent one in June 2013, which involved injecting 100 kg of 2,6 naphthalene-disulfonate (NDS) into H-1 to evaluate the hydraulic characteristics of the newly-created H-1/H-4 doublet. After correcting for flow hiatuses and non-steady-state flow conditions, tracer breakthrough in H-4 was observed after 6 days (compared to ~4 days for the previous H-1/H-3 doublet), with peak breakthrough occurring after 17 days. Extrapolation of the breakthrough curve to late time indicates that approximately 60% of the tracer mass would eventually be recovered (vs. approximately 80% for the 2008 H-1/H-3 tracer test). This suggests that a large proportion of the tracer may lie trapped in the opposite end of the reservoir from H-4 and/or may have been lost to the far field. The calculated inter-well swept pore volume is approximately 31,000 m³, which is larger than that calculated for the H-1/H-3 doublet (~20,000 m³). A simple 2D TOUGH2 tracer model, with model geometry constructed based on the current conceptual understanding of the Habanero EGS system, demonstrates good agreement with the measured tracer returns in terms of timing of breakthrough in H-4, and observed tracer dispersion in the tail of the breakthrough curve.

The South Nicholson region of northwest Queensland and the Northern Territory is the focus of a regional hydrocarbon prospectivity assessment being undertaken by the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program, an Australian Government initiative dedicated to increasing investment in resource exploration in northern Australia. This data release provides data from new digital photography, X-ray Computerised Tomography (XCT) scanning, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing and laboratory ultrasonic testing for 14 samples from stratigraphic and exploration wells drilled into the South Nicholson Basin and Lawn Hill Platform in the South Nicholson region described in Jarrett et al (2020). These samples were analysed at CSIRO Geomechanics and Geophysics Laboratory in Perth during May and June 2020.

This document outlines Geoscience Australia's Onshore Energy Security Program and a working plan for its implementation over five years commencing August 2006. Part 1 summarises the budget, principles of the Program, consultation, objectives, outputs, program governance and structure, and communication. Part 2 outlines the plan of activities for each of the five years, and describes where some of the major datasets will be acquired, including radiometric, seismic reflection, airborne electromagnetic and geochemical data. Part 3 describes in brief the national and regional projects. The national projects are: Uranium, Geothermal, Onshore Hydrocarbons, and Thorium. The first four regional projects of the Program, in Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory and northern Western Australia, are summarised. Appendix 1 outlines the objectives of current seismic reflection data acquisition as well as proposed and possible seismic reflection surveys. Appendix 2 outlines proposed and possible airborne electromagnetic surveys.

Like many of the basins along Australia's eastern seaboard, there is currently only a limited understanding of the geothermal energy potential of the New South Wales extent of the Clarence-Moreton Basin. To date, no study has examined the existing geological information available to produce an estimate of subsurface temperatures throughout the region. Forward modelling of basin structure using its expected thermal properties is the process generally used in geothermal studies to estimate temperatures at depth in the Earth's crust. The process has seen increasing use in complex three-dimensional (3D) models, including in areas of sparse data. The overall uncertainties of 3D models, including the influence of the broad assumptions required to undertake them, are generally only poorly examined by their authors and sometimes completely ignored. New methods are presented in this study which will allow estimates and uncertainties to be addressed in a quantitative and justifiable way. Specifically, this study applies Monte Carlo Analysis to constrain uncertainties through random sampling of statistically congruent populations. Particular focus has been placed on the uncertainty in assigning thermal conductivity values to complex and spatially extensive geological formations using only limited data. As a case study these new methods are then applied to the New South Wales extent of the Clarence-Moreton Basin. The geological structure of the basin has been modelled using data from existing petroleum drill holes, surface mapping and information derived from previous studies. A range of possible lithological compositions was determined for each of the major geological layers through application of compositional data analysis. In turn, a range of possible thermal conductivity values was determined for the major lithology groups using rock samples held by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These two populations of values were then randomly sampled to establish 120 different forward models, the results of which have been interpreted to present the best estimate of expected subsurface temperatures, and their uncertainties. These results suggest that the Clarence-Moreton Basin has a moderate geothermal energy potential within an economic drilling depth. This potential however, displays significant variability between different modelling runs, which is likely due to the limited data available for the region. While further work could improve these methods, it can be seen from this study that uncertainties can provide a means by which to add confidence to results, rather than undermine it.

The Australian Solar Energy Information System V3.0 has been developed as a collaborative project between Geoscience Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology. The product provides pre-competitive spatial information for investigations into suitable locations for solar energy infrastructure. The outcome of this project will be the production of new and improved solar resource data, to be used by solar researchers and the Australian solar power industry. it is aimed to facilitate broad analysis of both physical and socio-economic data parameters which will assist the solar industry to identify regions best suited for development of solar energy generation. It also has increased the quality and availability of national coverage solar exposure data, through the improved calibration and validation of satellite based solar exposure gridded data. The project is funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The ASEIS V3.0 has a solar database of resource mapping data which records and/or map the following Solar Exposure over a large temporal range, energy networks, infrastructure, water sources and other relevant data. ASEIS V3.0 has additional solar exposure data provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. - Australian Daily Gridded Solar Exposure Data now ranges from 1990 to 2013 - Australian Monthly Solar Exposure Gridded Data now ranges from 1990 to 2013 - Australian Hourly Solar Exposure Gridded Data now ranges from 1990 to 2012 ASEIS V3.0 also has a new electricity transmission reference dataset which allows for information to be assessed on any chosen region against the distance to the closest transmission powerline.

<p>The Exploring for the Future program is an initiative by the Australian Government dedicated to boosting investment in resource exploration in Australia. The four-year program led by Geoscience Australia focusses on northern Australia and parts of South Australia to gather new data and information about the potential mineral, energy and groundwater resources concealed beneath the surface. As part of the Exploring for the Future program, this study aims to improve our understanding of the petroleum resource potential of northern Australia. As a component of this project, collaboration between the Onshore Energy Systems Branch of Geoscience Australia, the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) and Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) is designed to produce pre-competitive information to assist with the evaluation of the petroleum prospectivity of onshore Northern Territory basins. <p>This data release contains X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) data of 600 samples selected from 12 drill cores from the South Nicholson Basin and Isa Superbasin that are housed in GSQ’s Brisbane core repository and NTGS’s Darwin core repository. These samples covered nine formations: the Mesoproterozoic Mullera Formation (n = 11) and Constance Sandstone (n = 91) of the South Nicholson Basin, in addition to the Paleoproterozoic Lawn Hill Formation (n = 210), Doomadgee Formation (n = 34), Termite Range Formation (n = 36), Riversleigh Siltstone (n = 96), Mount Les Siltstone (n = 32), Lady Loretta Formation (n = 3) and the Walford Dolostone (n = 66) of the Isa Superbasin. This data was generated at the Inorganic Geochemistry Laboratory at Geoscience Australia as part of the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program. The results demonstrated that 23 different minerals were identified in the entire region. Out of these minerals there were seven dominant minerals; quartz, kaolinite, microcline, muscovite, dolomite, calcite and siderite. These dominant mineral components were highly variable between all formations analysed in this study, demonstrating the utility of high resolution XRD to determine mineral compositions and variability through sedimentary successions. <p>This publically available dataset is provided in preparation for future work to generate statistics quantifying the spatial distribution and composition of sedimentary rocks, providing information to de-risk resource decision making and investment of northern Australian basins.

The Australian Energy Resource Assessment examines the nation's identified and potential energy resources ranging from fossil fuels and uranium to renewables. The assessment reviews the factors likely to influence the use of Australia's energy resources to 2030, including the technologies being developed to extract energy more efficiently and cleanly from existing and new energy sources. Australia has an abundant and diverse range of energy resources. It has very large coal resources that underpin exports and low-cost domestic electricity production, more than one third of the world's known uranium resources, and substantial conventional gas and coal seam gas resources. These can support Australia's domestic needs and exports for many years to come. Identified resources of crude oil, condensate and liquefied petroleum gas are more limited and Australia is increasingly reliant on imports for transport fuels. Australia has a rich diversity of renewable energy resources (wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, wave, tidal, bioenergy) with low greenhouse gas emissions. With the exception of hydro and wind energy (which is growing strongly) many of these resources are largely undeveloped, constrained by the current immaturity of technologies. The expected advances in technology by 2030 will allow them to make a growing contribution to Australia's future energy supply. Australia's energy consumption pattern is expected to change significantly by 2030. While fossil fuels (coal, oil and increasingly gas) will continue to dominate the energy mix, renewable energy sources, notably wind, are expected to become increasingly more significant. Chapter 1 is an executive summary of key assessment findings. Chapter 2 presents an integrated synthesis of all Australia resources and markets. Individual resource chapters each consider world and Australian resources and markets, examines key factors in utilising the resource, and the resource and market outlook to 2030. The Australian Energy Resource Assessment was undertaken jointly by Geoscience Australia and the <a href="http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares">Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE)</a> at the request of the <a href="http://www.ret.gov.au">Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism</a> as a contribution to future energy policy. Bibliographic reference: Geoscience Australia and ABARE, 2010, Australian Energy Resource Assessment, Canberra.

<div>GeoInsight was an 18-month pilot project developed in the latter part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future Program (2016–2024). The aim of this pilot was to develop a new approach to communicating geological information to non-technical audiences, that is, non-geoscience professionals. The pilot was developed using a human-centred design approach in which user needs were forefront considerations. Interviews and testing found that users wanted a simple and fast, plain-language experience which provided basic information and provided pathways for further research. GeoInsight’s vision is to be an accessible experience that curates information and data from across Geoscience Australia, helping users make decisions and refine their research approach, quickly and confidently.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first iteration of GeoInsight, selected products for energy, minerals, water, and complementary information from Geoscience Australia’s Data Discovery Portal and Data and Publications Catalogue were examined to (1) gauge the relevance of the information they contain for non-geoscientists and, (2) determine how best to deliver this information for effective use by non-technical audiences.</div><div><br></div><div>This Record documents the technical details of the methods used for summarising energy commodities for GeoInsight. These methods were devised to convey current production and future production/extraction potential quickly and efficiently for regions across the Australian continent. Evaluated energy commodities include oil and gas, hydrogen and geological hydrogen storage, uranium and thorium, coal (black and brown), geothermal energy, and renewable energy. Carbon storage, a decarbonisation enabler, was also addressed under the energy theme.</div><div><br></div><div>This document contains two sections:</div><div><strong>Production Summary:</strong> To showcase where energy resources are being produced in different regions of Australia. The source datasets provide a snapshot of energy production activities at the time of publication. </div><div><strong>Potential Summary:</strong> To highlight, at first glance, the likelihood that future energy production and decarbonisation initiatives may occur in different regions of Australia. The source datasets provide a snapshot of future energy potential at the time of publication.</div><div><br></div><div>Any updates to the methodology used in GeoInsight will be accompanied by updates to this document, including a change log.</div><div>Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program provides precompetitive information to inform decision-making by government, community and industry on the sustainable development of Australia's mineral, energy and groundwater resources. By gathering, analysing and interpreting new and existing precompetitive geoscience data and knowledge, we are building a national picture of Australia’s geology and resource potential. This leads to a strong economy, resilient society and sustainable environment for the benefit of all Australians. This includes supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, strong, sustainable resources and agriculture sectors, and economic opportunities and social benefits for Australia’s regional and remote communities. The Exploring for the Future program, which commenced in 2016, is an eight year, $225m investment by the Australian Government.</div><div><br></div>

This short video summarises the value of Geoscience Australia's work to the discovery, development and export of Australia's mineral and energy commodities. The video is from a series of six films produced to communicate Geoscience Australia's value to the nation. Further information about the agency's work in this area can be found at http://www.ga.gov.au/value-to-the-nation