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.

<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.

<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

Coal Seam Gas (CSG) activities will have an impact on groundwater. But what will be the magnitude, extent and timing of that impact? Faced with this question, and in the absence of comprehensive datasets, groundwater professionals are unable to respond with confidence. CSG activities, with some notable exceptions, are mostly carried out in stratigraphic units far below, or at a lateral distance from, those monitored by existing groundwater monitoring networks. How then can groundwater experts advise regulators and industry appropriately as to the likelihood and nature of impacts to groundwater from CSG activities? Commonwealth approval conditions for the development of CSG projects in the Surat Basin are empowered by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) as it pertains to the protection of Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) including springs that host EPBC-listed threatened species and communities. The projects are approved on the basis that there will be no significant impact to MNES. The approval conditions include the requirement for regional monitoring of groundwater levels and quality for the early detection of impacts to springs. In the absence of sufficient time series data that would support sophisticated modelling, the predictive power of simple groundwater flow calculations, together with regional groundwater models, may be deployed to evaluate the envelope of magnitude, extent and timing of groundwater responses. It is proposed that these same tools may be used to develop both monitoring networks and triggers for remedial action that can adapt to increased data availability and changing production scenarios and take account of the inertia in both the physical response within the groundwater system and the institutional response from either the regulator or industry. This will facilitate the protection of groundwater-dependant ecosystems through timely and adaptive management responses whilst ensuring that CSG projects are neither injudiciously promoted, nor prematurely curtailed, through lack of monitoring data or through misinterpretation of changes in those data. This abstract was developed for the International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress, Perth, 2013 based on work undertaken for Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

Hydrogeological assessment of the Maryborough Basin, submitted as an abstract for the 2013 IAH Congress.

Summary of last 12 months activity in Acreage Release Area.