Application of chemostratigraphy to the

Mungaroo Formation, NW Shelf

K.T. Ratcliffe and A.M. Wright

Chemostrat Inc, Houston, USA
P. Montgomery,
Chevron Energy Technology Company,
Aberdeen, UK
A. Palfrey, A. Vonk, J. Vermeulen and M.
Barrett
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, Perth WA 6000

Paper Outline

What is chemostratigraphy ?
Sample preparation and analysis
Background to study
Mungaroo Formation in the Gorgon Field
Why use chemostratigraphy on the Mungaroo
Formation ?
Chemostratigraphic characterisation
Paleoclimate indicators
Provenance indicators
Chemostratigraphic correlation
What this means for stratigraphy in the Mungaroo
Formation

What is Chemostratigraphy ?

The characterization, or fingerprinting of sedimentary units

using inorganic geochemical data
This characterization enables the identification of
chemostratigraphic units on the basis of elemental
concentrations, ratios or systematic trends
Inorganic geochemistry of sediments is highly variable and
sensitive to subtle changes in source composition, facies,
weathering or diagenesis. Therefore apparently uniform
successions may show primary differences in the chemistry
of constituent minerals, particularly in accessory phases
The keys to a successful chemostratigraphic study is to
understand the association of elemental
chemistry and geology

Why use Chemostratigraphy in the Mungaroo?

The Mungaroo Formation is a typical fluvial system, so tends to

be poor in biostratigraphic and palynological markers
Seismic correlations do not provide sufficient resolution and
can often be ambiguous
Wireline log correlations can be inaccurate since the tendency
is to make simple layer-cake correlations and tie
sandstones that occur in similar stratigraphic positions and
have similar e-log signatures
Chemostratigraphy offers the potential to refine biostratigraphic
and palynological stratigraphies, can remove ambiguity in
seismic interpretations and shows that the Mungaroo is
not layercake

Location and stratigraphy

3 Time lines
7 chemostratigraphic packages
22 geochemical units
Tr8Diii
Tr8Diii
Tr8Diii

Barro
ww
Barro
Barro
w
Barro
Groupw
Gro
upup
Gro
Gro
up
up

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

Tr8Di
Tr8Di
Tr8Di

Tr8Ciii
Tr8Ciii
Tr8Ciii

Brigadier
Barrow
Brigadier
Barrow
Brigadier Barrow
Barrow
Brigadier
Formation
Group
Formation
Group
Formation Group
Group
Formation

Tr8Diii
Tr8Diii
Tr8Diii

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
API
API
API

Mungaroo
Formation
Mungaroo
MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Formation

Tr7Aiia
Tr7Aiia
Tr7Aiia

Ba
rro
w
Ba
rro
ww
Ba
rro
Barro
w
Barro
w
Gro
uup
Gro
pup
Gro
Group
up

top
topTr7Aiic
Tr7Aiic
top
Tr7Aiic

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
API
API
API

Mungaroo
MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Formation

Mungaroo
Mungaroo
MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Formation
top
Tr6A
topbase
base
Tr6ATr7Aiii
Tr7Aiii
base
Tr7Aiii
top
Tr6A

Barro
www
Barro
Barro
Ba
rrow
w
Barro
Gro
uup
p
Gro
Gro
Gro
upup
Group

top
topTr7Aiic
Tr7Aiic
top
Tr7Aiic

Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
API
API
API

base
Tr6A
base
baseTr6A
Tr6A
base
Tr6A

Mungaroo
Formation
Mungaroo
MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Formation
Tr6A
top
Tr6A
topbase
base
Tr6ATr7Aiii
Tr7Aiii
top
Tr6A
Tr7Aiii
base

Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
API
API
API

top
Carnian
base
Tr6A
top
base
topCarnian
Carnian
baseTr6A
Tr6A
top
Carnian
Tr6A
base

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
API
API
API
Ba
rro
Barro
Ba
rrow
ww
Ba
Barro
rrow
w
Gro
uuppup
Gro
Gro
Gro
up
Gro
up

Barro
Grou
Barro
w
Grou
Barro
w
Gro
upp
pp
Barro
ww
Grou
Barrow
Group

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

Barrow
Barrow
Barrow
Group
Group
Group
Group

33553000500
33663000600
33773000700
33883000800
33993000900
4400400000
44114000100
44224000200
44334000300
4444000400

Mungaroo
MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Mungaroo
Formation
topbase
base
Tr6ATr7Aiii
Tr7Aiii
top
Tr6A
base
top
Tr6A
Tr7Aiii

3366030600
3377030700
3388030800
3399030900
Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
4400040000
API
44110400100
API
API
44220400200
44330400300

topbase
base
Carnian
Tr6A
top
Carnian
Tr6A

Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Lithstrat
Palynol.
Palynol.
Palynol.

3377030700
3388030800
33990390000
44004000
4411040100
44220420000
44330403000
44400400
44550405000
44660406000
33443040000
3530500
33553050000
36303600600
33663060000
33770300700
3388030080Gamma
0Gamma33773070000
33883080000
3399030090Gamma
0
4400040000 API
API 34903900900000
API
44110400100
4040000
44114010000
44224020000
44334030000

base
Tr6A
baseTr6A
Tr6A
base
base
Tr6A

BarrowGroup
Group
Barrow
Barrow
Group
Barrow
Group

33770300700
33880300800
33990300900
440040000
44110400100
44220400200
44330400300
4444000400
44550400500

NN
ooro
G
o
No
G
o
oorrtthh
oorrggoonn-n
th
G
ro
g
o
rtrth
h
G
oro
rg
g
on
n-n
-22-2 N
N
th
G
ro
g
o
N
tG
orrtrh
th
G
oro
rgg
on
n-n
-66-6 DepN
N
G
-11-1 D
o
G
o
pepN
N
th
G
ro
g
o
oro
rttrh
h
G
oro
rg
g
on
n-n
-44-4
D
pepN
D
D
D
(e
m
)tp)thh)th
D
e4m
D
pepN
(eD
m
)tp)ht)hth
(D
)tphth)th
(m
(em
(m
(epm
D
em
(em
(eD
)t)pthh)th
3(m
33443000400
(3m
3043004)00
3355030500
5(0m
0
33505300500
33606300600
33707300700
33808300800
33909300900
4400040000
44101400100
44220400200
44330400300
4444000400
44550400500

MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Formation
Mungaroo
Mungaroo
Formation
topCarnian
Carnian
Carnian
baseTr6A
Tr6A
top
base
base
Tr6A
top
Carnian

37307300700
38308300800
39309300900
4040400000
41401400100
42402400200
43403400300
4440400400

G
orgon-3

MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Mungaroo
Formation

orgon-3 CentralG
G
oo
nn
-1-1 DeeppththG
rg
oo
rg
orogro
11
D
pep)tp)hththG
D
D
ntaralG
gn
on
D
(3D
m
)0p))th
(em
(35m
(e503m
(em
(m
)
D
pC
tphte
D
500
hth
(e3D
m
(e36m
(e60p3)m
36306300600
33660300600
600)0)0

G
orgon-1

MungarooFormation
Formation
Mungaroo
Mungaroo
Formation
topbase
base
Carnian
TR6A
top
Carnian
TR6A
Carnian

Stratigraphic correlation

N
thG
G
rg
N
oo
rtrh
oo
rg
oo
nn
-3-3
D
pp
D
(eD
)t)tphh)th
(em
(em
m

NorthG
orgon-3

Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
Gamma
API
API
API
API

How do we get the data ?

Client
Project
Well
Date

1. Surface contamination
Removed
- washing
BP

SiO2 wt%

Haynesville
Williams-22-3
12/11/2009

60.00
50.00

2. Cuttings chips selected

for analysis - picking

amples
hdata Well Name

Sample
Depth

ICP-OES ICP-OES
SiO2
TiO2
wt%
wt%
42.68
0.51
1
Williams-22-3 11541.80
46.74
0.58
2
Williams-22-3 11543.80
37.78
0.45
3
Williams-22-3 11545.80
53.89
0.66
4
Williams-22-3 11547.80
44.71
0.57
5
Williams-22-3 11549.40
45.05
0.61
6
Williams-22-3 11551.80
45.23
0.54
7
Williams-22-3 11553.66
46.41
0.57
8
Williams-22-3 11555.70
49.23
0.60
9
Williams-22-3 11557.74
20.00
5.
Concentrations
for
46.88
0.54
10
Williams-22-3 11559.84
18.00
10
major
elements
46.90
0.52
11
Williams-22-3 11561.82
16.00
52.01
0.58
12
Williams-22-3
11563.90
23 trace
elements
14.00
55.07
0.66
13
Williams-22-3
14 Rare11565.58
earth elements
12.00
53.89
0.63
1410.00 Williams-22-3 11567.84
55.22
0.62
15 8.00 Williams-22-3 11569.80
All
reported
in
xls
format
51.48
0.56
16 6.00 Williams-22-3 11571.76

CaO wt%

40.00

ICP-OES
Al2O3
wt%
11.60
13.13
10.52
15.41
13.47
14.18
13.40
14.83
16.51
13.69
12.16
13.73
15.87
15.32
14.70
13.54

4.00
2.00
0.00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

30.00

3. Sample powdered grinding

ICP-OES ICP-OES ICP-OES ICP-OES ICP-OES ICP-OES ICP-OES

Fe2O3 MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
P2O5 Total
20.00
wt%
wt%
wt%
wt%
wt%
wt%
wt% wt%
10.00
3.02
0.021
1.13
16.29
1.21
2.49
0.467 79.41
4.04
0.035
2.34
12.22
1.09
2.89
0.202 83.27
0.00
3.62
0.029 1 1.96
18.40
1.08
2.21
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 0.356
13 14 1576.41
16
4.00
0.019
1.52
7.13
1.11
3.40
0.098 87.24
4. Powder
3.77
0.024
1.42
13.81
1.24 dissolved
2.89
0.407 82.31
Li metaborate
3.95
0.022
1.46
12.70
1.20
3.10fusion
0.229 82.52
3.73
0.022
1.44
13.41
1.23
2.78
0.267 82.06
4.01
0.022
1.57
12.27
1.00
3.24
0.542 84.47
4.71
0.020
1.85
9.01
1.08
3.38
0.281 86.65
3.91
0.024
1.52
12.69
1.16
2.93
0.159 83.50
4. Solution
analysed4.86
0.048
2.29
12.95
1.24
2.46
0.150 83.58
ICP
OES
and
ICP
MS
3.96
0.024
1.36
9.70
1.32
2.94
0.241 85.85
4.00
0.020
1.40
6.75
1.13
3.55
0.202 88.65
CaO wt%
3.92
0.019
1.40
7.65
1.10
3.41
0.327 87.67
4.49
0.018
1.29
6.27
1.34
3.19
0.267 87.41
5.18
0.017
1.18
8.62
1.26
2.95
0.241 85.02

SiO2 wt%

Chemically recognising lithostrat units

N
orthG
orgon-3

D
epth

0.15

Nb/Al 2 O3

0.12

Package 3

Package 3

Brigadier Fm

0.03

Mungaroo Fm
0.00
0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

Nb/Al

0.5

clay packages

Nb/Al2O3

1.5

2.0

Nb/Al 2 O3

Barrow
Group
Brigadier
Formation

Tr8Diii

Tr8Di

Tr8Ciii

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Package 8 Pac k ag e 10

Lithstrat
Package 7
Palynol.
Group

Barrow

Tr8Diii

Gamma
API

Package 6

Tr7Aiia

Package 6a

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Group

Package 5

1.0

Barrow Group
BrigadierFormation
Mungaroo Formation

Barrow Group

MgO/Al2O3

Mungaroo Formation

0.00
2.0

base Tr6A

MgO/Al 2 O3

North Gorgon-3

Mungaroo Fm

Mungaroo Formation

1.5

Gamma
API

Package 5

1.0

0.03

base Tr6A

0.5

Nb/Al2O3

Brigadier Fm

Package 4

0.00

MgO/Al2O3

(absent)

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Mungaroo Fm

Mungaroo Formation

0.03
MgO/Al2O3 Nb/Al2O3

0.06

Package 2

Gamma
API

(absent)

0.09

Package 1

Gamma API

Barrow

Barrow

Group

0.06

Barrow Group

top Tr7Aiic

Lithstrat
Palynol.

clay packages

Brigadier Fm

Package 5

Gamma API

0.06

0.12

Gamma
0.09
Gamma Gam ma API MgO/Al2O3APINb/Al2O3
API
Barrow

topbase
Carnian
Tr6A
clay packages
Pac ka g e
10

Package 5
Package 4

Barrow Group

Pac ka g e 10

4400

Package 4

4500

4300

3400
3500
0.12
3500
3600
3600
3700
3800Gamma3700
3800
3900
4000 API 3900
4000
4100
0.09
4100
4200
4300

Lithstrat
Palynol.

4400

4200

Barrow Group

4300

3400
3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

(m
)

top Carnian
base Tr6A

4200

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

D(em
p)th

Mungaroo Formation

4100

(m
)

Lithstrat
Palynol.

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
Gamma
4000
API
4100
4200
4300

(3m
40)0

Barrow Group

Lithstrat
Palynol.

3700
41003
800
900
42003
4000
43004
100
200
44004
4
300
4500
4400
46004
500
4600

4000

Barrow
Group

4000

(m
)

Mungaroo Formation

D(em
pth
360)0

3900

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

4002
0
orthG
orgon
orthG
orgon-63900 NorthG
orgon-1 DepN
orthG
o
gon-3
42r
00
CentralG
orgon1 DepN
orthG
orgon-4 DepN
th 4100 N
th
Depth
th

3800

Gamma API

0.15

Mungaroo Formation

4100

clay packages

4000

Pac ka g e
10

3900

Lithstrat
Palynol.

0.15

Gorgon-3

Group

3900

Gorgon-1

top Tr7Aiic

3800

3800

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

3800

3700

3700

Mungaroo Formation

3700

3600

top Carnian
base Tr6A

3600

MgO/Al 2 O3

3500

3700

topbase
Carnian
TR6A

3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

3400

3500

3600

Mungaroo Formation

orgon-3
G
orgon-1 DepthG
(m
)

D(em
p)th

C
entralG
orgon1

3500

3400

3600

D
epth

3400

MgO/Al 2 O3

D
epth

N
orthG
orgon-1

D
epth

N
orthG
orgon-2

Gamma
API

First order chemostratigraphic divisions

orgon-3
G
orgon-1 DepthG
(m
)

orthG
orgon-2 NorthG
orthG
orgon-6 NorthG
orgon-1 DepN
orthG
orgon-3
CentralG
orgon1 DepN
orgon-4 DepN
th
th
Depth
th

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Tr8Ciii

Barrow
Group
Brigadier
Formation

Tr8Di
Tr8Diii

Gamma
API

Mungaroo Formation

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Group

Barrow

Mungaroo Formation

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii
base Tr6A

Mungaroo Formation

Tr7Aiia

Gamma
API

Tr8Diii

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Group

Barrow

Gamma
API

top Tr7Aiic

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Group

top Tr7Aiic

Group

Barrow

Mungaroo Formation

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Gamma
API

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Barrow

Gamma
API

top Carnian
base Tr6A

Mungaroo Formation

(m
)

3400
3500
3500
3600
3600
3700
3800Gamma3700
3800
3900
4000 API 3900
4000
4100
4100
4200
4300

Mungaroo Formation

D
p)th
(em

base Tr6A

3400
3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

Lithstrat
Palynol.

(m
)

Barrow Group

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

top Carnian
base Tr6A

(3m
40)0

Mungaroo Formation

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
Gamma
4000
API
4100
4200
4300

Lithstrat
Palynol.

(m
)

Barrow
Group

Lithstrat
Palynol.

3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500
4600

topbase
Carnian
Tr6A

D(em
pth
360)0

Barrow Group

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

topbase
Carnian
TR6A

3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

Mungaroo Formation

D(em
p)th

Gamma
API

First order chemostratigraphic divisions

3600

3600

3900

Package 4

4000

4100
Package 4

4100

4200

4200

4300

4300

Package 3

Ga/Rb increases through time

4300

Al2O3/bases (CaO+MgO+K2O+Na2O) increases through time

4400

4400

Notable steps that define the solid lines

4500

SO
WHAT ????

Time line

clay packages
Package
10
Package 7

4000

4100

4200
4300

T2

4000

T1

Package 6a

3900

Package 6

3800

3900

T1

Package 3

4200

3800
T2

T3

Package 5

3900
Package 4

Package 3
Package 2

3700

3800

4000

Package 1

Package 5

3700

T2

4100

Package 8

3500

3600

3700

4300

4500

3400

Package 5

Package 4

3700

3800

4100

4400

Depth

3500

T1

4200

GA_RB
Gamma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

North Gorgon-3

3500
3600

3900

4000

Time line

Depth

3400

Pac kage 10

Pac kage
10

3400

GA_RB
Gamma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

Package
10

Depth

Time line

GA_RB
Gamma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

clay packages

North Gorgon-2

North Gorgon-1
clay packages

Time line

Depth

3500

3700

3800

North Gorgon-6

Package 5

3600

Package 10

3500

GA_RB
Gamma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

clay packages

Time line

Depth

clay packages

Gorgon-3

GA_RB
Gamma API 0.12 0.2
AL_BASES
5
0.9

First order chemostratigraphic divisions

3500

3600

3600

3900

Package 4

4000

Time line

clay packages
Package
10

4000

4100
4200

Package 3

4100
Package 4

T1

4300

Package 7

T2

4000

4100

4300

Package 6a

3900

T3

Package 6

3800

3900

T1

Package 3

Package 2

4200

3800
T2

Package 4

Package 3

3800
3900

4000

Package 1

3700

Package 5

3700

T2

4100

Package 8

Time line

3400

Package 5

3700

4300

4500

Depth

3600
Package 5

Package 4

3700

3800

4100

4400

North Gorgon-3

3500

T1

4200

GA_RB
Gam ma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

3500
3600

3900

4000

clay packages

Depth

3400

Pac k age 10

Pac kage
10

3400

GA_RB
Gam ma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

Pac kag e
10

Depth

Time line

GA_RB
Gam ma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

North Gorgon-2

North Gorgon-1
clay packages

Time line

Depth

3500

3700

3800

North Gorgon-6

Package 5

3600

Package 10

3500

GA_RB
Gamma API 0.12 - 0.21
AL_BASES
5
0.9

clay packages

Time line

Depth

clay packages

Gorgon-3

4200

4200

4300

4300

4400
4400

Ga/Rb = kaolinite / illite in claystones intensely weathered

claystones tend to be more kaolinitic
Al/bases = CIA (chemical index of alteration) which is a proxy for
the degree of weathering
Therefore blue = less intense weathering, red = more intense
hydrolytic weathering
4500

GA_RB
Gam ma API 0.12 0.2
AL_BASES
5
0.9

Tr8Diii

Brigadier
Formation

Tr8Di

Group

Barrow

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Tr8Ciii

Barrow
Group

Tr8Diii

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Gamma
API

Mungaroo Formation

Tr7Aiia

Group

Barrow

top Tr7Aiic

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Gamma
API

Mungaroo Formation

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Mungaroo Formation

Group

Barrow

top Tr7Aiic

Gamma
API

base Tr6A

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Gamma
API

Mungaroo Formation

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Gamma
API
Group

3400
3500
3500
3600
3600
3700
3800Gamma3700
3800
3900
4000 API 3900
4000
4100
4100
4200
4300
Barrow

Lithstrat
Palynol.

D
p)th
(em

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Barrow
Group

3400
3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

top Carnian
base Tr6A

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

(3m
40)0

Mungaroo Formation

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
Gamma
4000
API
4100
4200
4300
Barrow Group

orthG
orgon-2 NorthG
orthG
orgon-6 NorthG
orgon-1 DepN
orthG
orgon-3
CentralG
orgon1 DepN
orgon-4 DepN
th
Depth
th
(m
)th
(m
)

base Tr6A

3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500
4600

top Carnian
base Tr6A

Lithstrat
Palynol.

D(em
pth
360)0

Mungaroo Formation

Barrow Group

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500
topbase
Carnian
Tr6A

orgon-3
G
orgon-1 DepthG
(m
)

Mungaroo Formation

3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

top base
Carnian
TR6A

D
p)th
(em

Mungaroo Formation

Chemostratigraphic packages

(m
)

Gamma
API

Chemostratigraphic packages
D
epth

N
orthG
orgon-3

3400

3800

3800

3900
4000

4000

4100

4000

4100

4200

4100

4200

4300

4200

4300

4400

4300

4400

4400

4500

4000
4100
4200

clay packages

3900

3900

3900

Pac kage 10

3700

Cr/Na2O

Package 8

3700

Nb/Al2O3

Package 7

3600

3600

MgO/Al2O3

4500

Gamma API

MgO/Al2O3

Nb/Al2O3

Cr/Na2O

Na2O/Al2O3

Gamma API

MgO/Al2O3

Nb/Al2O3

Cr/Na2O

Na2O/Al2O3

Nb/Al2O3

Cr/Na2O

Package 5

MgO/Al2O3

Na2O/Al2O3
Package 5

Gamm a API

Package 1

Package 4
Package 3

Package 2

Package 3

Package 4

Package 5

Pac kage
10

clay packages

Package 5

Pac kage 10

clay packages

4600

Package 6a

3500

3500

Gamma API

Package 6

3800

3400

3700
3800

3400

Pac kage
10

3700

C
entralG
orgon1

N
orthG
orgon-1

Package 4

3600

3600

Packages defined using variations in

Nb, Cr and Na
D
epth

D
epth

N
orthG
orgon-2

clay packages

3500

D
epth

SO WHAT ????

Na2O/Al2O3

Chemostratigraphic packages

0.4

P
0.3

0.2

EV2

0.1

Group 4. Siderite
Ca
Sr
Fe
Mn
Ba
Mg

-0.1

-0.2

-0.3
-0.2

Group 5. Plagioclase
Feldspar
Na

MREEs
Non Zircon
Y LREEs
Group 3. Heavy
HREEs
Minerals
Nb
Ta Th
Hf
Ni Zr
Zircon
Co
U
Zn
Cr
Mo
V
Kaolinite
Be
Cu Ti
Sn
Ga
Sc
Al
Group 2. Clay
Minerals
Illite
Cs
K Rb
Group 1. Quartz
Si

-0.1

0.1

EV1

0.2

Chemostratigraphic packages

4500

4600

4500

Pac kag e 10

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Tr8Ciii

Barrow
Group
Brigadier
Formation

Tr8Di

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Group

Barrow

Tr8Diii

4200

4100

4300

4400

Na/Al, Cr/Na and Nb/Al in

provenance through time

Tr8Diii
Mungaroo Formation

Mungaroo Formation

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Mungaroo Formation

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

4100

base Tr6A

3900

4000

4200

Package 3

Na2O/Al2O3

Package 8

Gamma
API

Tr7Aiia

3800

Package 6a

Na2O/Al2O3

Package 6

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Group

Barrow

top Tr7Aiic

Lithstrat
Palynol.
Group

top Tr7Aiic

clay packages
Pac kag e
10

3800

Mungaroo Formation

3700

Package 5

3600

Mungaroo Formation

Cr/Na2O

3700

3900

4000

4100

4300

Ga/Rb
Nb/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

3600

Gamma
API

Cr/Na2O

3500

top Carnian
base Tr6A

3800

Gamma
North Gorgon-2
API

Ga/Rb
Nb/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

Package 4

3700

top Carnian
base Tr6A

Na2O/Al2O3

Na2O/Al2O3

Gam ma API
Barrow

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Barrow

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Cr/Na2O

base Tr6A

Ga/Rb
Nb/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

3400

Pac k age 10

Cr/Na2O

3600
Package 5

Ga/Rb
Gamma API
Nb/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

Mungaroo Formation

Central Gorgon 1

Gamma
API

Gamma API

4400

Package 2

4400

3500

Package 4

Package 4

4300

Gamma API

3500

Depth

3400

4200

Package 3

4200

Depth

4000

4100

Gamma
API

North Gorgon-1

3900

3900

4000

Mungaroo Formation

clay packages

3800

(m
)

3400
3500
3500
3600
3600
3700
3800Gamma3700
3800
3900
4000 API 3900
4000
4100
4100
4200
4300

Group

D
p)th
(em

3400
3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

Barrow Group

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

clay packages

(3m
40)0

Lithstrat
Palynol.

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
Gamma
4000
API
4100
4200
4300

Mungaroo Formation

Barrow Group

(m
)

Barrow
Group

3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500
4600

topbase
Carnian
Tr6A

(3m
60)0

top base
Carnian
TR6A
3700

Pac kag e
10

3600

Package 5

Depth

3400

orthG
orgon-2 NorthG
orthG
orgon-6 NorthG
orgon-1 DepN
orthG
orgon-3
CentralG
orgon1 DepN
orgon-4 DepN
th
Depth
th
Depth
(m
)th

Lithstrat
Palynol.

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

Package 1

3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

Ga/Rb : Al/bases change in

paleoclimate through time

Package 5

orgon-3
G
orgon-1 DepthG
D
p)th
(m
)
(em

Package 7

Depth

clay packages

North Gorgon-3

Gamma
API

Sandstone data

3500

3600

K2O/Al2O3
Rb/Cs

3900

4100

4300

4400

Package 2

4400

Package 1

4500

4600

4300

4500

Pac kage 5
Pac kage 4

4100

4200

4100

4300

4200

Package 3

4200

4000

Package 4

Package 4

4000

4200
3800

3900

3800

3900

3900

4000

3700

Package 5

clay packages
Pac kage
10

3800

K2O/Al2O3
Rb/Cs

Package 3

3700

Package 5

3600

Ga/Rb
Na/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

4100

4400

Pac kage 10

Package 5

4000

3700

3600

Package 6a

3500

Central Gorgon 1
Gamma API

3700

3600

3500

Depth

K2O/Al2O3
Rb/Cs

Pac kage
10

clay packages

Ga/Rb
Na/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

3400

Pac kage 10

3400

Gamma API

Ga/Rb
Na/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

3800

North Gorgon-1
Depth

Gamma API

Package 6

Depth

clay pac kages

North Gorgon-2

Package 8

3400

Package 7

Depth

clay packages

North Gorgon-3
Gamma API

Ga/Rb
Na/Al2O3
Al2O3/bases

K2O/Al2O3
Rb/Cs

Tr8Diii

Brigadier
Formation

Tr8Di

Group

Barrow

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Tr8Ciii

Barrow
Group

Tr8Diii

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Gamma
API

Mungaroo Formation

Tr7Aiia

Group

Barrow

top Tr7Aiic

Gamma
API

Mungaroo Formation

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Mungaroo Formation

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Gamma
API

base Tr6A

Group

Barrow

top Tr7Aiic

Gamma
API

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

Lithstrat
Palynol.

Gamma
API

Mungaroo Formation

Lithstrat
Palynol.

3400
3500
3500
3600
3600
3700
3800Gamma3700
3800
3900
4000 API 3900
4000
4100
4100
4200
4300
Group

D(em
p)th

Barrow

Lithstrat
Palynol.

3400
3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

Barrow Group

(m
)

top Carnian
base Tr6A

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500

topbase
Tr6ATr7Aiii

(3m
40)0

Mungaroo Formation

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
Gamma
4000
API
4100
4200
4300
Barrow
Group

orthG
orgon-2 NorthG
orthG
orgon-6 NorthG
orgon-1 DepN
orthG
orgon-3
CentralG
orgon1 DepN
orgon-4 DepN
th
th
Depth
th
(m
)

base Tr6A

3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500
4600

top Carnian
base Tr6A

Lithstrat
Palynol.

D(em
pth
360)0

Mungaroo Formation

Barrow Group

3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400
4500
topbase
Carnian
Tr6A

orgon-3
G
orgon-1 DepthG
(m
)

Mungaroo Formation

3600
3700
3800
3900
4000
4100
4200
4300
4400

topbase
Carnian
TR6A

D(em
p)th

Mungaroo Formation

Sandstone correlation

(m
)

Gamma
API

4400
4500

4200

4300

Top z 20

Lithstrat

sa nd un its

T su rface

Package 4

clay packages

Lithstrat

sand units

T su rfa ce

clay packages

Sand
4a

Gamma API

Sand
4b

Sand
4a Top z 20

T1

4200
Q sand
Sand
3aii

R sand

S Sand
Top z 10

4300

Sand T Sand
3a

4400

Top z 10
S Sand

T Sand

Package 1

Topzone 20
Top Q sand

4600
Sand 1

4100

Sand 3ai

Sand Top z 10
3a

4500

Package 1

4400

4400

Package 4

Lithstrat

T surface

clay packages

Package 4

sa nd un its

S Sand

Depth

Sand 3a

Sand 2

4200

Package 2

Sand 2

Package 2

T1

T Sand

4300

Package 1

Top z 20

T Sand

4200

4300

4 a

Sand
4b

4100

4300

4100

Sa n d

4000

4 b

Gamma API

North Gorgon-1

Package 3

Sand Top z 10
3a

Sa nd

Depth

Sand 3aii

S Sand

4200
S Sand

T Sand

4100

Lithstrat

clay packages

sa nd un its

Top z 20

T1

Sand Top z 10
3a

4000

4100

Gamma API

North Gorgon-6

Package 3

4000

Depth

Sand 2

Package 3

3900

T su rface
T1

T1

Central Gorgon 1

Package 3

Top z 20

3900

Gamma API

Package 2

3800

Depth

Package 4

4 b

Gorgon-3

Gamma API

Package 3

4 e

Sa n d

Lithstrat

T su rfa ce

sand u nits
Sa n d

Package 4

Depth

clay packages

Gorgon-1

T1Marker

Top T sand

Each lithostratigraphic unit has a unique geochemical signature

The Mungaroo Formation contains three chemostratigraphic surfaces that approximate
to chronostratigraphic markers
Seven chemostratigraphic packages and 22 units are identified and correlated in the
Mungaroo Formation
The paleoclimate during deposition of the Mungaroo Formation was becoming
increasingly wet, resulting in more intense hydrolytic weathering and increased
abundance of kaolinite in the claystone lithologies
The older parts of the Mungaroo Formation contain common plagioclase feldspar,
implying an intermediate igneous provenance. The intermediate provenance was
replaced through time with greater influence of a mafic igneous provenance
The Brigadier Formation contains an unknown Nb-rich heavy mineral species, implying
that the provenance of this formation is different to that of the Mungaroo Formation
In places, the chemostratigraphic sand unit correlation deviates from the
lithostratigraphic sand correlation to an extent that may impact upon gas production. The
variation between litho- and chemostratigraphic correlation are potentially vitally
important for building reservoir models in the Mungaroo Formation of the Gorgon Field.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Chemostrat would like to thank David Wray and Lorna Dyer of Greenwich University for carrying out
the ICP OES MS analyses and Bill Ellington of Ellington and Associates for carrying out the XRD
analyses. We are also grateful to Chemostrat and Chevron Australia for allowing us time and
resources to prepare this manuscript. The authors are grateful to Eric Tenthorey, Andrew Jones and
Ben Van Aarssen who reviewed the original manuscript and whose comments were invaluable to
the final document. The authors would like to thank the Gorgon Joint Venture partners, Mobil
Australia Resources and Shell Development (Australia) for allowing permission for this paper to be
published.