Program 4 - 3D Geological Mapping
Through the EIS, the State Government will dedicate $13.8 million to providing an integrated online system that allows customers to create customised geoscience reports and maps.
WA Geology Online
The WA Geology Online project will improve geoscience information services to DMP clients by developing an integrated system that allows all geoscience databases to be accessed seamlessly online.
In addition to better integrating GSWA’s online information, the WA Geology Online project will develop and facilitate new databases and services linked to current and future map layers.
Through this activity, GSWA clients will be able to generate customised reports and maps for their area of interest.
Modernise Petroleum Information Delivery System
Through this initiative, an upgrade to DMP’s Western Australian Petroleum Information Management System (WAPIMS) will be completed.
The upgrade will help to provide a more streamlined information submission and release system for the petroleum industry. It will also ensure that the WAPIMS system is interoperable with other departmental computer systems.
3D Database and Modelling Rocks Beneath the Surface
This project will build and maintain interactive 3D geological models, from the prospect scale to the crustal scale, for selected greenfield exploration areas.
3D geological models can be used to test various structural models and interpretations, and to visualise the Earth at depth. They can be used as predictive models to characterise areas of known mineralisation, as well as identify similar patterns to generate new exploration targets.
Once developed, the 3D models will be available to view and download from the DMP website.
Geochemical Information Delivery
The existing GSWA geochemistry database will be upgraded so that it can accept the uploading of digital geochemistry data submitted by companies, as well as the existing GSWA geochemistry data.
This newly designed web-based facility will allow the query and extraction of both open file company and GSWA geochemistry.
Mineral Drillhole Information Database
The drillhole information database project will improve online information services to DMP customers by developing an integrated system that allows all drillhole data, and related geochemistry, to be queried and integrated with other GSWA online data.
These improvements will enable open file company mineral exploration drillhole locations and down-hole geochemistry to be accessible via the DMP website.
Geological Mapping and Interpretation
The project will involve undertaking regional geoscience mapping and the interpretation, from geophysical data, of bedrock under thin soil and sedimentary basin cover.
The focus will be on remote greenfield areas including the basement to the Eucla Basin, the Central Desert, the Kimberley and the Capricorn.
Undertaking this project will also require an expanded program of isotopic dating to provide information on the
timing of rock units and specific geological events.
Geothermal Potential, Depleted Reservoir, Tight Gas, Alternative Coal Technologies
Alternative energy sources include geothermal, tight gas and enhanced petroleum recovery from depleted reservoirs.
The national commitment to “clean” energy also provides a requirement to look at coal technologies to reduce the State’s carbon dioxide footprint.
New geoscience information relating to the use of geosequestration to store carbon dioxide emissions is another key aspect of this project.
The geothermal project will review current data for geothermal energy, conduct desktop studies on prospective basins and provide new field data in areas with little coverage.
