Longshore Sediment Supply to the Deep Ocean. The current model to supply sand to deep water off continental margins is that provided by rivers operating at low sea level. We propose an alternative model in which sand is provided by longshore transport to deep water at high sea level north of Fraser Island, SE Queensland. Here we will test the validity of our new model by site studies of sea bottom morphology, composition and dynamics. If the model proves true, we will have: 1) generated an entir ....Longshore Sediment Supply to the Deep Ocean. The current model to supply sand to deep water off continental margins is that provided by rivers operating at low sea level. We propose an alternative model in which sand is provided by longshore transport to deep water at high sea level north of Fraser Island, SE Queensland. Here we will test the validity of our new model by site studies of sea bottom morphology, composition and dynamics. If the model proves true, we will have: 1) generated an entirely new exploration model for deepwater hydrocarbons, 2) provided new expertise and seabed maps for generating a superior marine naval defence capability.Read moreRead less
LATE PALAEOZOIC PALAEOGEOGRAPHY OF CENTRAL ASIA: A PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL APPROACH USING IMPROVED BIOSTRATIGRAPHY. Fossil data from Central Asia (Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, NW China, Mongolia, Altaids) indicate significant degree of palaeo-latitudinal variation in biogeographical patterns across the Palaeo-Tethys and its flanking shelves during Late Palaeozoic, but details of these patterns and implications for enhancing contemporaneous palaeogeographical models are virtually unknown. Thi ....LATE PALAEOZOIC PALAEOGEOGRAPHY OF CENTRAL ASIA: A PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHICAL APPROACH USING IMPROVED BIOSTRATIGRAPHY. Fossil data from Central Asia (Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, NW China, Mongolia, Altaids) indicate significant degree of palaeo-latitudinal variation in biogeographical patterns across the Palaeo-Tethys and its flanking shelves during Late Palaeozoic, but details of these patterns and implications for enhancing contemporaneous palaeogeographical models are virtually unknown. This project will analyse the biogeographical patterns of Late Palaeozoic brachiopod, coral, fusulinid faunas using advanced statistical methods, and integrate biogeographical signals with palaeomagnetic data to constrain models for the Late Palaeozoic geological evolution of Central Asia-a vast region that is known to bear enormous potential for natural resources but remains geologically little explored.Read moreRead less
Numerical Modelling of Three-dimensional Scour below Offshore Pipelines. Australia's increasing offshore oil and gas exploration has demanded more accurate and reliable methods for evaluating the safety and serviceability of pipelines. Local scour around pipelines is one of the major causes of pipeline failures, and is a major concern in Australian waters. This project not only addresses these concerns in its direct application to the design and management of offshore pipelines, but also will co ....Numerical Modelling of Three-dimensional Scour below Offshore Pipelines. Australia's increasing offshore oil and gas exploration has demanded more accurate and reliable methods for evaluating the safety and serviceability of pipelines. Local scour around pipelines is one of the major causes of pipeline failures, and is a major concern in Australian waters. This project not only addresses these concerns in its direct application to the design and management of offshore pipelines, but also will contribute to the nation's development and competitiveness in offshore exploration, and produce high quality research students. The improved design and management of pipelines in Australian waters will reduce the risk of potential environmental damages caused by leaking gas and oil.Read moreRead less
Economical Offshore Foundation for Deep Water - Suction Embedded Plate Anchor. The oil/gas industry's venture in finding large resources in deep water has lead to a number of important economic and technical challenges including, among others, new types of foundations. Suction Embedded Plate Anchor (SEPA) has shown its potential of cost-saving against other types of foundations in deep waters. The aim of this project is to use the experties of investigators, on numerical and centrifuge modelling ....Economical Offshore Foundation for Deep Water - Suction Embedded Plate Anchor. The oil/gas industry's venture in finding large resources in deep water has lead to a number of important economic and technical challenges including, among others, new types of foundations. Suction Embedded Plate Anchor (SEPA) has shown its potential of cost-saving against other types of foundations in deep waters. The aim of this project is to use the experties of investigators, on numerical and centrifuge modelling, to study the behaviour of SEPA in sub-marine deposit. Successful completing of the project will contribute to the very little existing data on this new type of foundation - SEPA.Read moreRead less
Analysis of two-phase effects in sloshing of liquids in marine tanks. One of the winners in the current greenhouse debate is natural gas, and the global market will see the need for transporting large volumes of LNG. Australia's North West Shelf is one of the largest offshore gas reserves in the world. The gas market is one of the biggest contributors for the country's economy. Australia leads the world in the use of tankers for transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). However, consistent re ....Analysis of two-phase effects in sloshing of liquids in marine tanks. One of the winners in the current greenhouse debate is natural gas, and the global market will see the need for transporting large volumes of LNG. Australia's North West Shelf is one of the largest offshore gas reserves in the world. The gas market is one of the biggest contributors for the country's economy. Australia leads the world in the use of tankers for transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). However, consistent research in LNG is lacking. This research is a fundamental inquiry into the physics of liquid sloshing and the importance of two-phase effects on sloshing. The research can provide answers that ensure safe operation and transport of LNG from Australia.Read moreRead less
Seismic response of partially saturated petroleum reservoir zones: towards quantitative recovery monitoring. In most Australian reservoirs less than 50% of the original oil in place is recovered. A major factor that contributes to low recovery rates is bypassed oil/gas. Even a small, 1% improvement in recovery is of substantial economic significance. The proposed project aims to develop quantitative models for reservoir monitoring of zones with bypassed hydrocarbons using time-lapse (4D) seismic ....Seismic response of partially saturated petroleum reservoir zones: towards quantitative recovery monitoring. In most Australian reservoirs less than 50% of the original oil in place is recovered. A major factor that contributes to low recovery rates is bypassed oil/gas. Even a small, 1% improvement in recovery is of substantial economic significance. The proposed project aims to develop quantitative models for reservoir monitoring of zones with bypassed hydrocarbons using time-lapse (4D) seismic measurements, and thus to improve the hydrocarbon recovery factors. Developing these models will be a cutting edge research achievement, which will make a significant contribution to the knowledge base of the discipline and advance the international reputation of Australian science.Read moreRead less
Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crus ....Application of the Wavelet Transform to Isostatic Analyses in Australia. Existing methods of determining the Earth's isostatic response assume ideal but unrealistic conditions. This project will develop a new technique for isostatic analysis, using the two-dimensional wavelet transform. This tool can resolve spectral components of geophysical data in the space domain, thus avoiding the problems arising during the conventional Fourier analysis. With innovative processing methods, maps of the crustal thickness from gravity and topography data can be generated, a task usually reserved for costly seismic experiments. Analysis of the wavelet power spectrum would also benefit the exploration industry by identifying previously unknown sedimentary basins.Read moreRead less
Crustal Stress Field of SE Asia. The key project benefit is to advance our fundamental understanding of tectonic processes such as sedimentary basin development and continental collision. It has major implications for natural hazard assessment and resources exploration in SE Asia, consistent with Australia's participation in the APEC Energy Working Group. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen international links between Australia, SE Asia, the UK, USA and Germany. It will ....Crustal Stress Field of SE Asia. The key project benefit is to advance our fundamental understanding of tectonic processes such as sedimentary basin development and continental collision. It has major implications for natural hazard assessment and resources exploration in SE Asia, consistent with Australia's participation in the APEC Energy Working Group. The project has major ancillary benefits. It will strengthen international links between Australia, SE Asia, the UK, USA and Germany. It will provide high-quality research and training experience for the APD and PhD student involved, whom will spend time with research groups and oil companies in Australia, UK, USA and SE Asia. Finally, the project will increase the institutional capacity for contract research in SE Asia.Read moreRead less
Reconstruction of marine ecosystems following the greatest mass extinction during the Phanerozoic history of Earth life: Lessons for the present. Frequent defaunation events strongly threaten sustainable development of marine resources and human environments especially in countries that are surrounded by oceans such as Australia. By analysing recovery mechanisms of marine ecosystems following the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, the greatest crisis of Earth life, we will develop predictive tool ....Reconstruction of marine ecosystems following the greatest mass extinction during the Phanerozoic history of Earth life: Lessons for the present. Frequent defaunation events strongly threaten sustainable development of marine resources and human environments especially in countries that are surrounded by oceans such as Australia. By analysing recovery mechanisms of marine ecosystems following the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, the greatest crisis of Earth life, we will develop predictive tools for analysing restoration of modern marine defaunated ecosystems. Understanding biotic extinction and recovery is crucial to understanding the evolution of the Earth's biosphere. This study increases Australia's research profile on this global issue. The target strata are quality oil source rocks in Perth Basin, and thus this project is beneficial to the Australian petroleum industry.Read moreRead less
Storage and the Hotelling Valuation Principle: Understanding the Dynamics of the Oil Industry. Understanding the economics of the oil market is important for understanding the shift toward smaller, more fuel-efficient motor vehicles and less fuel-intensive farming techniques. A better understanding of fundamental oil price processes will lead to more accurate oil price forecasting and hence more accurate pricing of oil derivatives (options, futures and swaps) and improved risk management (e.g. ....Storage and the Hotelling Valuation Principle: Understanding the Dynamics of the Oil Industry. Understanding the economics of the oil market is important for understanding the shift toward smaller, more fuel-efficient motor vehicles and less fuel-intensive farming techniques. A better understanding of fundamental oil price processes will lead to more accurate oil price forecasting and hence more accurate pricing of oil derivatives (options, futures and swaps) and improved risk management (e.g. airlines hedging the cost of their jet fuel needs). Read moreRead less