Publicly available geology data are compiled to provide a common information base for resource development and regulatory decisions in the Cooper Basin region. This data guide gives examples of how the compiled data can be used. It supports a data package that presents core photographs, existing knowledge of the stratigraphy, and structural elements for the Cooper Basin and the overlying Simpson, Eromanga and Lake Eyre basins. Stratigraphic frameworks capture the geological groups and formations that make up the sedimentary sequence in the Cooper Basin region. The Cooper Basin includes 2 stratigraphic groups. From deepest to shallowest, these are the Gidgealpa Group and the Nappamerri Group. The overlying Cuddapan Formation is considered part of the Simpson Basin instead of the Cooper Basin. Overlying the Cooper Basin are the geological formations of the Eromanga and Lake Eyre basins. The frameworks include the stratigraphic intervals used by the Trusted Environmental and Geological Information (TEGI) Program. From the base of the Cooper Basin to the top of the Lake Eyre Basin, the sedimentary sequence is categorised into 16 play intervals for resource assessment mapping and 9 hydrostratigraphic intervals for characterising groundwater systems (Wainman et al., 2023). Structural elements maps summarise where the sedimentary sequence has been deposited and later deformed by crustal movements. Structure information is used in assessing the geological potential for resources and interpreting groundwater flow and connectivity at the basin scale. The stratigraphic frameworks and structural elements provide the basic geological context for the Cooper Basin region geological, resource and environmental assessments.

The potential for hydrogen production in the Cooper Basin region is assessed to provide a joint information base for hydrogen generation potential from renewable energy, groundwater, and natural gas coupled with carbon capture and storage (CCS). Hydrogen generation requires water, whether using electrolysis with renewable energy or steam methane reforming (SMR) of gas with CCS. The data package includes the regional renewable energy capacity factor, aquifers and their properties (potential yield, salinity, and reserves or storativity), and geological storage potential of carbon dioxide (CO2). This data guide gives examples of how the compiled data can be used. The renewable hydrogen potential is assessed based on renewable energy capacity factor and groundwater information (potential yield, salinity, and reserves or storativity). Three aquifers from overlying basins (Eromanga and Lake Eyre basins) are included in the assessment. The Cooper Basin region has high renewable hydrogen potential. The presence of good aquifer throughout the basin combined with high renewable energy capacity factor resulted in significant areas with high hydrogen potential. The Cooper Basin has significant hydrocarbon resources, primarily for gas (Geoscience Australia, 2022). Although most known hydrocarbon resources have depleted since production began in the 1960s (Smith et al., 2015), a large amount of gas remains, including conventional gas (1,058 PJ reserves and 1,598 PJ resources) and unconventional basin-centred gas (2,265 PJ resources). An assessment in the overlying Eromanga Basin suggests that most areas over the Cooper Basin are prospective for potential CO2 geological storage (Bradshaw et al., 2023). Further work on identifying detailed gas potential is needed to assess hydrogen generation potential from SMR coupled with CCS.

Publicly available groundwater data have been compiled to provide a common information base to inform environmental, resource development and regulatory decisions in the Cooper Basin region. This web service summarises salinity and water levels for the Cooper Basin located within the Cooper Basin region.

Publicly available groundwater data have been compiled to provide a common information base to inform environmental, resource development and regulatory decisions in the Cooper Basin region. This web service summarises salinity, water levels, resource size, potential aquifer yield and surface water–groundwater interactions for the Eromanga Basin located within the Cooper Basin region.

Publicly available geology data are compiled to provide a common information base for resource development and regulatory decisions in the Cooper Basin region. This web service summarises the geology of the Cooper Basin.

Publicly available geology data are compiled to provide a common information base for resource development and regulatory decisions in the Cooper Basin region. This web service summarises the geology of the Cooper Basin.

<div>The Trusted Environmental and Geological Information (TEGI) Program (2021-2023) was a multi-disciplinary program that brought together the geology, energy resources, groundwater, carbon and hydrogen storage, mineral occurrences, surface water and ecology for four Australian basin regions. This talk covers how the team leveraged their varied scientific expertise to deliver integrated scientific outcomes for the North Bowen, Galilee, Cooper and Adavale basin regions. This talk highlights the approach and importance of meaningful engagement with those that live in, work in, rely on and care for the regions. The story of the TEGI program outlines how a committed team, collaborating across Australia’s leading scientific organisations, delivered genuine impact during a time of political change.</div><div><br></div>

This seminar will showcase new results from the late Carboniferous to Middle Triassic Cooper Basin that challenge existing notions on its evolution, new insights on sediment dispersal pathways and consequently its resource potential. Topics that will be explored include how the Cooper Basin is similar to other failed rift basins and how depositional facies between each of the half-grabens/troughs are influenced by the relationship between sediment supply and the rate of creation of accommodation. Of note are new precise dates and carbon isotope data from the thick coals of the Patchawarra Formation suggesting prolonged and uninterrupted peat accumulation for millions of years during the latter stages of the late Palaeozoic ice age – no modern analogue exists to compare the conditions and longevity of these ancient mires. Come along to the talk to learn more about the Cooper Basin.

Publicly available data was compiled to provide a common information base for resource development, and environmental and regulatory decisions in the Cooper Basin. This web service summarises the geological storage of carbon dioxide prospectivity of the Cooper Basin.

Publicly available baseline ecology data are compiled to provide a common information base for environmental, resource development and regulatory decisions in the Cooper Basin region. This web service summarises existing knowledge of the ecosystems and environmental assets in the Cooper Basin region.