The Exmouth Plateau : stratigraphy, structure and petroleum potential

The Exmouth Plateau lies oceanward of Australia's Northwest Shelf petroleum province, in water depths of 800 to 2000 m, and is flanked by the abyssal plains of the Wharton Basin. Its area is 150 000 km2 and the adjacent lower continental slopes, also considered in this study, cover another 150 000 km2 . The southwest and northwest margins of the plateau are fault-bounded escarpments, but the northern margin consists of spurs and subplateaux separated by deep troughs. Our interpretation of the area is based on 12 000 km of BMR seismic reflection, magnetic, and gravity profiles, and 6000 km of seismic reflection profiles provided by petroleum exploration companies. Initially, eight major seismic horizons were identified over the profile network. They were then related to the nearest known stratigraphy by means of seismic tie-lines to wells on the Northwest Shelf. Additional information came from magnetic and gravimetric studies and deep-sea drill holes on the adjacent abyssal plains.