The Story of the Rundle Oil Shale (for far).

Presented by: Andrew McKerron
Beach Energy

Abstract:

The Rundle Oil Shale is an Eocene lacustrine oil shale deposit, contained within a narrow half graben in Central Queensland. Although the deposit was discovered in 1890, serious delineation did not occur until the 1980s, when over 300 wells and 27,000m of core were obtained.

Published resource estimates at the time indicated a probable resource of over 2.5 Billion barrels with an average yield of 105 litres/tonne. Despite numerous pilot projects (including an open cut mine and a purpose built retort), the project could never be commercialised as a mining venture. Subsequent studies focussed on in-situ pyrolysis and well-based recovery techniques, but these did not progress beyond pilot projects either. The deposit is now owned by QER, who also own the adjacent Stuart Oil Shale deposit with its own mine and functioning retort (and visitor centre).

Geological material obtained during delineation of the oil shale provides a unique insight into the stratigraphy and source potential of low latitude, syn-rift, lacustrine shales. The nearly 1000m of lacustrine deposits consist of a classic “lake sandwich”, transitioning from over-filled lacustrine and peat deposits, to balance-filled deposits (that contain the oil shale) and then to an under-filled/evaporitic sequence with limited source potential. The cycle then reverses as the half graben is gradually filled and capped by more peat/coal. Detailed stratigraphic studies reveal that the deposit is composed of numerous sequences 2-3m thick that record cycles of exposure/desiccation and subsequent flooding, with a corresponding variation in fauna, bioturbation, clay content and lake chemistry. Numerous vertebrate remains have been recovered from the deposit, including crocodile, turtle and fish remains. Source studies identified two algal maceral types; a Botryococcus-dominated telalginite and a Pediastrum-dominated lamalginite. From a conventional geochemical perspective, the deposit averages 14%TOC and is a classic type-I, oil-prone, lacustrine shale with high HI’s and limited terrigenous contamination.

Event Details:

Thursday, 24th March 2022
Luncheon: 12 pm for a 12:30 pm start

Place: Ayer’s House, 288 North Tce, Adelaide

Includes a 2-course lunch and drinks

Tickets:
Student Members – $25
Members – $60
Non-members – $75

Bookings close 5pm Monday, 21st March.
Any late bookings will incur an additional $50 fee. Strictly no walk-ins.