PESA - Energy Geoscience

PESA WA February Technical Lunch: Natural Hydrogen in Western Australia
2025-02-20 12:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Perth) | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, Australia
Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science and DUG:

and Silver Sponsors Delft and Qeye:

PESA WA invites you to our technical luncheon on Thursday 20th February.
Natural Hydrogen in Western Australia
Presented by Leon Normore (Geological Survey of Western Australia)

The nascent field of natural hydrogen investigations is expanding rapidly worldwide. Recent studies in Australia have documented hydrogen in natural gas samples in both sedimentary basins and cratonic settings. Study of open file data at the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) focused on historical occurrences of hydrogen primarily within the onshore sedimentary basins. Petroleum wells were the primary data source, but natural hydrogen has also been detected in mineral exploration drillholes, shallow gas seep drilling and water bores in Western Australia. The GSWA has investigated soil gas spot sampling and continuous soil gas measurements for natural hydrogen in the Canning and Perth Basins. Additional studies include the use of Fluid Inclusion Stratigraphy (FIS) from well cuttings and core demonstrating anomalous zones of both hydrogen and helium in petroleum wells.
Legislation for exploration of natural hydrogen in Western Australia was passed in May 2024 by adding hydrogen as a prescribed regulated substance to the Petroleum Legislation Amendment Act 2024. Supporting regulations for natural hydrogen exploration are currently being developed in conjunction with the transport and storage of greenhouse gas regulations.
Ticket Prices:
Member (Early Bird): $69.00
Concession Member [Retired or Hardship]: $59.00
Student Member: $10.00
Graduate Member: $20.00
Non-Member: $99.00
Member (Non-Early Bird): $79.00
Early bird, Concession, Student and Graduate Member pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST). All ticket sales close at 5pm Tuesday (2 days prior).

Wadjemup (Rottnest) Field Trip - Carbonate systems, sea level change and Quokkas
2025-02-27 08:40 - 16:00 (Australia/Perth) | Rottnest Island, Rottnest Island Visitors centre, 1 Henderson Ave,, Rottnest Island, WA, 6161, Australia
Wadjemup (Rottnest) Field Trip – Carbonate systems, sea level change and Quokkas– by bike
Led by Dr Moyra Wilson (University of Western Australia)
Though some 18 km offshore at the present day, during previous glacial lowstands Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) was joined to the mainland. Evidence of fluctuating sea-levels and environmental change is preserved both in the oral histories of the Whadjuk Noongar people but also the rocks and landforms of the island. Wadjemup offers excellent opportunity to explore classic carbonate aeolianites, coral reef, lacustrine and lagoonal deposits and marine features that are a conspicuous feature of the Pleistocene Tamala Limestone and associated units that outcrop over some 1000 km of WA’s coastline.
The trip, led by Moyra Wilson, will also facilitate broader discussions of approaches to palaeosea-level reconstructions, climate change and the coastal dynamics of WA’s younger geological evolution.
Please note that for insurance reasons this trip is only open to members. If you are not currently a member you will need to sign up before booking.
Prices:
Members: $100
Students: $50
Tickets close the Thursday prior at 5pm.
Note: This price is for the instruction only. It does not include ferry fares, bike hire or lunch. These need to be arranged separately at your own cost.
Getting there:
Meeting point: Rottnest Visitor Centre: 8.40 am, finish by 4 pm in time for a 4.30 pm return. Recommendation to save time hire your bikes from the ferry company.
https://rottnestexpress.com.au/
https://www.sealink.com.au/
https://booking.rottnestfastferries.com.au/

PESA WA - 1D Basin Modelling Training Course
2025-03-03 - 2025-03-04 | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, Australia
PESA WA – 1D Basin Modelling Training Course
Led by Lukasz Krawczynski (top down PSA)
The course covers the fundamentals of burial, thermal, pressure and source rock calibration applicable to practical 1D basin modelling with a strong emphasis on developing probabilistic assessments to overcome the uncertainties of the input data. The course is intended for junior and senior geoscientists with no or limited experience in basin modelling, working on petroleum, CCS or geothermal related projects.

Course outline:

1. Introduction and Concepts of 1D modelling​

Overview of the fundamentals of burial, thermal and source rock calibration modelling​

​2. Burial History ​

Fundamental and advanced concepts of burial history modelling with a focus on calibrating missing sections at unconformities​

3. Thermal Modelling​

Heat transfer processes and boundary conditions

4. Source Rocks​

Integration of source rock properties, kinetics and maturities into 1D models​

5. Faulting, Overpressure, Intrusives​

1D modelling of complex geological settings​

6. Trinity Thermal Calibration​

Thermal calibration of Genesis 1D models into Trinity 2D/3D models

Prices:
Members: $900
Students: $500
Non-Members: $1100
Tickets close the Thursday prior at 5pm.
Note: In order to confirm instructor travel and course venue bookings, registration is required by COB 30th April.

PESA WA March 20th Evening Talk: Tight Gas Sand Reservoir Evaluation: Basin-Centred Gas Accumulation (BCGA) & Implications on Production & EUR
2025-03-20 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | Faraday’s, 216 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
PESA WA invites you to a technical Evening Event Thursday 20th March.
Tight Gas Sand Reservoir Evaluation: Basin-Centred Gas Accumulation (BCGA) & Implications on Production & EUR
Presented by Greg Salter (Core Laboratories)
Tight gas sand (TGS) reservoirs often offer significant resource potential, however, they can pose many challenges including pay identification, the potential of formation damage, water and/or condensate block, as well as others. Another challenge may be what is the true water saturation? Is the water saturation controlled by capillary forces or is the reservoir a basin-centred gas accumulation (sub capillary-equilibrium) as published by a number of authors in the literature. This presentation will investigate the identification and characterization of basin-centred gas accumulation reservoirs and the implication on production and EUR.

Timings for the event:
Date: Thursday 20th March, 2025
Venue (Updated): Faraday’s, 261 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Time: 6pm – 8pm (Perth time)

PESA Members: $25.00 (PESA Members must Log on to the PESA website to purchase)
Non-members: $50.00
PESA Students Members: Free (registration is essential)

PESA-SPE-ASEG YP Networking Evening 28th March 2025
2025-03-28 17:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | The Shoe, Shop GSO7 Yagan Square, 376 - 420 Wellington St, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Please join the Perth Young Professional Geoscientists and Engineers from the petroleum and mining industries for a light-hearted night of in-person networking and great conversation
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 28th March 2025 5:00-8:00pm.
Venue: The Shoe Bar, Yagan Square
There will be a Panel of 3 industry professionals to talk about their careers and answer some of your questions.

Stephen Molyneux – Consultant Geologist
Sam Howman – Founder, Howman Seismic Services
Lina Hartanto – Reservoir / Petroleum Engineer, Chevron

Ticket Prices: Free: Please register below for catering purposes by Thursday 27th 5pm
This event is exclusively for Young Professionals and early career professionals (people who have been working in the Oil and Gas or mining industry for less than 10 years). Please come along if you’re a student, graduate or working professional. Meeting your industry peers is a good chance to talk about your different backgrounds, experiences, projects and companies with like-minded people in a very laid back and friendly setting.

PESA WA April Technical Lunch: What you should know about borehole images but were afraid to ask…. Forty years of hard-won lessons
2025-04-17 12:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Perth) | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, Australia
Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye and Task Fronterra Geoscience:

PESA WA invites you to our technical luncheon on Thursday 17th April.
What you should know about borehole images but were afraid to ask….. Forty years of hard-won lessons
Presented by Lawrence Bourke (Task Fronterra Geoscience)

Borehole images (BHI) have been around commercially, for around 40 years now. The real breakthrough was led by SLB using micro-resistivity on wireline providing cm scale, high resolution images capable of supporting detailed sedimentological and fracture characterisation to compliment structural analysis. A whole new field of study, complimentary to core and seismic data was born!
In the early 1990s two things began in earnest: The development of LWD tools (which would take 20 years to catch up with wireline usability) and the widespread use of Oil Based muds which were a serious setback to BHI interpretability and application, that would take nearly 20 years to resolve with electronics innovation.
Today, there is a bewildering array of image tools: micro resistivity, sonic, density, induction, capacitance, electromagnetics, passive nuclear etc. All the acquisition companies have their “me too” LWD and wireline offerings, and also rebrand from time to time!. But they are not all the same, in terms of resolution, bedding definition, accuracy and application. But the sales engineers won’t really help you decide!
Fortunately, we have done that hard work of comparison, applicability, and reliability. Based on detailed commercial studies across the globe over the last 40 years, the conclusions are presented in a clear and concise manner for the casual BHI user.
Ticket Prices:
Member (Early Bird): $69.00
Concession Member [Retired or Hardship]: $59.00
Student Member: $10.00
Graduate Member: $20.00
Non-Member: $99.00
Member (Non-Early Bird): $79.00
Early bird, Concession, Student and Graduate Member pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST). All ticket sales close at 5pm Tuesday (2 days prior).

Joint PESA - SPE WA Evening Event May 2025: CCS projects and insights from across Australia
2025-05-15 16:45 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, Australia
PESA – SPE WA invites you to Joint Evening Event.

CCS projects and insights from across Australia: Thursday 15th May 2025

Gorgon Carbon Capture and Storage – Insights and Lessons Learned
Robert Root (Chevron Australia) will provide an overview of Gorgon CCS including performance to date, system optimization, and key lessons for other CCS projects. The Gorgon Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) plant is supplied by gas from two foundation fields: Jansz which has low reservoir CO2, and Gorgon which is relatively high in reservoir CO2 (~14%). The design of Gorgon Project included systems to extract CO2 from the reservoir gas stream feeding the LNG plant and inject it into the Dupuy Formation below Barrow Island (BWI) for permanent storage. Since 2019 CO2 has been injected into the Dupuy at globally significant rates with over 10 million tonnes injected, however the system has been limited by the capacity to manage reservoir pressure through producing water from the Dupuy Formation and injection into the overlying Barrow Group. Activities are currently underway to increase pressure management capacity including side-tracking and re-completing existing wells, drilling additional wells, and installation of surface filtration facilities.
CO₂mpartmentalising Climate Change: Perth Basin’s Role
Julia Cass (DEMIRS) will discuss reservoir quality controls in the Perth Basin that have been evaluated to rank carbon storage targets for a CO₂ Storage Atlas being prepared by the Geological Survey of Western Australia. The key attributes for the most prospective targets include thick intervals with high net-to-gross passing cut-off criteria of shale volume below 30% and porosity greater than 10% at depths suitable for supercritical CO₂ storage. Reservoir heterogeneity is preferred as it permits greater lateral plume migration by enhancing residual gas trapping thereby boosting storage efficiency. These attributes alongside seal effectiveness determine the most suitable storage intervals.
The Cattamarra Coal Measures emerged as the highest-ranked storage interval of the evaluated targets. It is characterised by thick, high net-to-gross sections with coarse-grained channel sands providing excellent injection potential. Burial and temperature control diagenesis which naturally degrades porosity and permeability with depth ultimately defining the lower limit of intervals prospective for storage. A combination of temperature modelling, petrophysical analysis and depth mapping has been utilized to delineate the Cattamarra Coal Measures reservoir target and assess the overlying regional seal of the Cadda Formation.

Global CCUS overview: Pivotal progress and persistent challenges
Anne Forbes (Wood Mackensie) will discuss the highs and lows in the CCUS space across 2024. The 48 Mtpa of sanctioned project capacity was much lower than expected, although new project capacity announcements remained at a healthy rate. Asia Pacific led in licencing, with 90% of new awards occurring in APAC. And in Australia, Moomba CCS, the world’s lowest cost CCS project to date, commenced operation.
Looking forward, we expect a record number of FIDs, industry first start-ups, and the first commercial scale CO2 ship to set sail in 2025. But at a global level we expect the rate of licensing to slow as existing work commitments are actioned.

Tickets on sale shortly:

Ticket Prices:
Member (Early Bird): $40.00
Non-Member (Early Bird): $60.00
Member: $50.00
Non-Member: $70.00
Early bird pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST). All ticket sales close at 5pm Tuesday (2 days prior).

Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science and DUG:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye and Task Fronterra:

2025 PESA Annual General Meeting
2025-05-26 17:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Rydges South Bank Brisbane, 9 Glenelg Street, South Bank, QLD, 4101
All Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia Limited (PESA) voting members are invited the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on:

Date: Monday, 26 May 2025

Time: 1700 hrs AWST

Location: Rydges South Bank Brisbane
(Note: To be held in the same room and directly after the PESA Deal Day. Arrive a bit early to enjoy a drink first.)

The PESA Board hopes you can attend the meeting to provide your input in person.

To register:
This is a PESA Members-only event and attendance is free. To accommodate any security measures implemented to gain entry to the venue, you must register in advance. Scroll down to Registration Details box below to register and get your free tickets.
To attend:
Present your event ticket (paper or digital) to security personnel to enter the AGM. Also, please ensure you sign the attendance record which will be available in the meeting room during the AGM.
For the agenda and to download the meeting papers, please click here
For proxies:

If you are not able to personally attend the event, we encourage you to submit a proxy so that we may get the widest response from PESA members where a vote is required. Download the proxy form here or from the 2025 AGM page, fill it out and send it to the PESA Office. Proxy forms must be lodged at the PESA Office no later than 48 hours before the time of the meeting. (Further instructions are on the bottom of the proxy form.) You can also lodge an apology for this meeting by email to membership@pesa.com.au.

PESA WA and CCUSNA - Perth Basin from a CCS Perspective Core Workshop
2025-06-10 09:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Perth) | Carlisle core library, 37 Harris Street, Carlisle, WA, 6101, Australia
PESA WA and CCUSNA
10th of June , 9:00 – 1600 Carlisle Core Library
Perth Basin from a CCS Perspective
Spend a day at the Perth Core Library considering how our collection of cores help us to understand CCS targets in the Perth Basin. We will delve into the importance of characterising seals, the influence of reservoir heterogeneity vs homogeneity and how diagenesis impacts pore geometry.
The Cattamarra Coal Measures ranks highly as a saline aquifer CCS reservoir target as it has excellent net-to-gross and reservoir quality over thick intervals. The fluvio-deltaic depositional environment of this unit provides for significant heterogeneity to promote lateral migration of the injected plume. Diagenesis impacts reservoir quality as a function of depth of burial and reservoir temperature. These impacts will be demonstrated with a suite of cores from various structural settings in the basin.
The Dongara Sandstone has attracted attention as a potential CCS reservoir target in depleted fields. Due to the homogeneous nature of the shoreface facies, this may be the best interval to study the impact of hydrocarbon charge on diagenesis and porosity preservation.
Cores of sealing lithologies are rare but provide important constraints when characterising a CCS storage formation. A suite of cores from the Kockatea Shale and Hovea Member will be investigated to understand variations in facies and the impact of diagenesis on geomechanical properties.
The workshop will be led by Julie Cass and Arthur Mory (GSWA) with assistance from Simon Molyneux (Molyneux Advisors) and Jeremy Prosser (Task Fronterra). Simon will show how cuttings can be utilised to investigate these same reservoir quality controls and Jeremy will illustrate how image log data compliments analyses of core and cuttings.
Organiser: Julie Cass and Arthur Mory (GSWA) with assistance from Simon Molyneux (Molyneux Advisors) and Jeremy Prosser (Task Fronterra)
Hard limit of 30 attendees.
Cost:
PESA Members: $30
CCUSNA Members: $30
This event is for PESA WA and CCUSNA members only. This is for insurance purposes. Please do not book on behalf of non-members. Please do not attend if you do not have a ticket.
If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact: wa-secretary@pesa.com.au

PESA WA June Technical Lunch: The Renaissance Tour: A revival of frontier basins with data-driven exploration
2025-06-19 12:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Perth) | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, Australia
Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye and Task Fronterra Geoscience:

PESA WA invites you to our technical luncheon on Thursday 19th June.
The Renaissance Tour: A revival of frontier basins with data-driven exploration
Presented by Lauren Found (Searcher)

As the energy exploration landscape shifts and evolves, so too does the thinking around the basins we investigate. Advancing seismic technology in the last decade has allowed for a fresh perspective on frontier and previously discarded basins, with the shifts in thinking yielding billions of barrels of results.
In this world tour of frontier basins, crustal architecture, source rock presence and reservoir fairways are explored with direct observations from modern, long-offset seismic data. The deepwater Gulf of Papua had its crustal model challenged and reinterpreted thanks to long-offset 2D seismic acquisition, allowing for the imaging of large-scale crustal structures. Beneath the salt of the Scotian Basin, reservoir fairways are imaged in detail and de-risked thanks to Wide Azimuth Seismic Acquisition, and further south to the conjugate Orange-Pelotas Basins, high-resolution 3D and Ultrafar AVO analysis reveals a world-class source rock, observable and mappable on both sides of the margin, despite being proven only on one side to date.
Ticket Prices:
Member (Early Bird): $69.00
Concession Member [Retired or Hardship]: $59.00
Student Member: $10.00
Graduate Member: $20.00
Non-Member: $99.00
Member (Non-Early Bird): $79.00
Early bird, Concession, Student and Graduate Member pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST). All ticket sales close at 5pm Tuesday (2 days prior).

PESA WA: 2025 Winter Warmer
2025-07-18 18:00 - 22:00 (Australia/Perth) | Prohibition Liquor Co., 22 Gilbert St, Adelaide SA 5000, South Australia, SA, 5000, Australia
We invite you to join friends and colleagues at our PESA WA Winter Warmer Social on Friday 18th July at The Globe.
Event details:
This year we are holding a PESA WA Winter Warmer at The Globe. Join us for an evening of socialising with an opportunity to catch-up with colleagues, friends, partners and new members. Drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) and nibbles are included in the ticket price. There will also be a raffle, door prizes and Jazz Band.
Where: The Globe, Lounge
Date: Friday, 18th July
Time: from 6:00pm
We encourage you to bring your partner along to this amazing event. Partners can attend at member pricing if purchased in the same transaction with a member. Please, only bring one partner each.
Ticket Prices:
Member (Early bird): $60.00
Early bird ticket sales close 31st June at 5pm (AWST).
Member (Non early bird): $70.00
Non-Member: $80.00
Member Guest: $60.00 (Early) / $70.00 (Non-Early)
All tickets sales close Wednesday 11th July at 5pm (AWST). Book now to avoid disappointment as tickets are strictly limited.
Refund Policy: Refunds are only applicable if notified in writing to WA-secretary@pesa.com.au prior to the close of ticket sales.

PESA WA August Technical Evening: Two Talks - Back water effects on Fluvial reservoirs and Neoichnology of the De Grey ephemeral river delta
2025-08-14 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, Australia
Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye, Totum Compliance, Core Laboratories and Task Fronterra Geoscience:

PESA WA invites you to our technical evening on Thursday 14th August.
Quantifying the backwater effect on Fluvial reservoirs
Presented by John Holbrook (Dept. of Geological Sciences, Texas Christian University)

The backwater effect is an emerging tool for predicting reservoir volumes and heterogenicity in fluvial systems. It scales channel-belt width, tidal impact, and bar development to the channel size and the distance from the coast, two measurable parameters. The backwater effect (i.e. adjustments in open-channel flow as a response to proximity of standing water) is used to predict down-dip changes in morphodynamics and consequent sediment distribution on fluvial systems. However, there is currently no standardized method to obtain input parameters to estimate backwater length, nor where to measure these variables, for both modern and ancient settings. This study reviews existing methods for estimating backwater lengths in both settings and proposes workflows to minimize ambiguity in the results. The proposed workflows are prioritized based on practicality, accuracy, and smallest uncertainty ranges and allow different data types as input parameters. For the first time, applying multiple methods to obtain backwater length estimates is tested, both on a modern and ancient river system. In the modern case study, the riverbed intersection with sea level matches previously documented major changes in sedimentary trends. However, backwater lengths based on h/S (h = bankfull thalweg channel depth, S = slope) plot downstream of this zone which is characterized by major changes, when input parameters are derived from discharge and grain size. Therefore, we recommend obtaining bankfull thalweg channel depth from a cross-sectional profile if backwater length is estimated based on h/S. In the ancient case study, bankfull thalweg channel depth derived from fully preserved single-story channel fill and slope based on Shields’ empirical relation with grain size, match changes in fluvial architectural style interpreted as a result of backwater effects. This review is a critical step forward in discussing and acknowledging the uncertainties and ambiguity in obtaining the necessary input parameters to estimate and compare modern and stratigraphic backwater lengths. The proposed workflows facilitate comparability and applicability of future backwater length estimates and subsequent interpretations of the hydrodynamic environment and resulting stratigraphic record. Potential scaling relationships between the backwater length, sedimentary trends, and avulsion nodes make this of key importance as the latter two also play a crucial role in devastating floods when rivers change course.
Neoichnology of the De Grey Ephemeral River Delta, Northwest Coast, WA: Proxies for Environments, Physicochemical Conditions, and Climate in Deep Time
Presented by Steve Hasiotis (Dept. of Geology, The University of Kansas)
The neoichnology of the alluvial plain, delta plain, and proximal delta front settings of the dryland, ephemeral De Grey River and its wave-dominated delta clearly show diagnostic patterns of plant and animal traces (and diversity), lithofacies, soils, groundwater profiles, and salinities controlled by the climatic setting. The climate is hot arid (Köppen BWh), with annual rainfall falling between December and June of 311.5 mm (avg) but is subject to large variations because of erratic cyclones. The river typically flows only after seasonal rainfall events generated by tropical, monsoonal cyclones or winter storms. These highly variable events are also associated with significant storm-wave reworking of the proximal delta front and lower delta plain. This research is timely because Cyclone Zelia, strengthening to category 5 but making landfall as a category 4 at De Grey, will provide a glimpse into how a dryland river–delta system and its physicochemical characters are impacted by major storms.
Prior to Zelia, alluvial plain channels are mostly devoid of water and water holes have fresh (<0.5 ppt) to lower oligohaline (< 2 ppt) salinities; mole cricket traces are abundant along the margins of these waterbodies, with some vegetation along the margins and at various positions in the channels proper. The alluvial plain itself contains plant roots, termite and ant nests, goanna and smaller reptile and mammal burrows. The delta plain contains traces produced by terrestrial and marine fauna; plants and terrestrial fauna dominate overbank deposits, whereas marine invertebrate and vertebrate fauna dominate the distributary channels, varying from upper oligohaline (4–5 ppt) to hypersaline (50 ppt) in salinity. Supratidal areas contain mangroves and are dominated by a variety of crab, polychaete, and other vermiform animal burrow, which increase in diversity to the intertidal areas and have the highest salinities. Intertidal settings are dominated by tidal processes and bedforms with a variety of crab, clam, gastropod, polychaete, and vermiform animal burrows in hypersaline conditions.
This research is important because trace fossils and paleosols of ancient fluvial–deltaic deposits can help distinguish between these systems deposited under drylands (ephemeral) vs. seasonal (intermittent) vs tropical (perennial) climate settings based on modern analogs. For example. most often the trace fossil-lithofacies-pedofacies associations preserved in core are very useful to improve interpretations of the degree of lateral and vertical continuity of paleoenvironments – continental vs transitional vs marine – that are used to interpret reservoir geometry and continuity.
Ticket Prices:
Member: $35.00
Concession Member [Retired or Hardship]: $30.00
Graduate Member: $20.00
Student Member: $10.00
Non-Member: $50.00
Concession, Student and Graduate Member pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST).

PESA-AIG-SPE-ASEG YP Networking Evening 11th September2025
2025-09-11 17:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | The Shoe, Shop GSO7 Yagan Square, 376 - 420 Wellington St, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Please join the Perth Young Professional Geoscientists and Engineers from the petroleum and mining industries for a light-hearted night of in-person networking and great conversation
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, 11th September 2025 5:00-8:00pm.
Venue: The Shoe Bar, Yagan Square
Ticket Prices: Free: Please register below for catering purposes by Wednesday 10th 5pm
This event is exclusively for Young Professionals and early career professionals (people who have been working in the Oil and Gas or mining industry for less than 10 years). Please come along if you’re a student, graduate or working professional. Meeting your industry peers is a good chance to talk about your different backgrounds, experiences, projects and companies with like-minded people in a very laid back and friendly setting.

PESA WA October Technical Evening: Three-Dimensional Architecture of Wave-Dominated Delta Deposits
2025-10-02 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | The Globe, 495/497 Wellington Street, Perth, Western Australia, 6000, Australia
Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye, Totum Compliance, Core Laboratories and Task Fronterra Geoscience:

PESA WA invites you to our technical evening on Thursday 2nd October.
Supported by Santos Ltd.
Three-Dimensional Architecture of Wave-Dominated Delta Deposits
Presented by Brian J. Willis (Willis Geoscience)

New numerical wave-influenced delta depositional models are challenging long-held rational for interpreting sea level variations recorded by wave-dominated shallow-marine successions. Shallow-marine, wave-dominated deposits (parasequences) are generally inferred to exhibit a decrease in wave energy and grain size with increasing water depth and to occur in facies belts that are laterally continuous for long distances along strike. Bedding geometry and vertical facies successions within these parasequences are interpreted in relation to a prograding equilibrium shoreface profile (cf. Bruun rule) and a gradual upward-coarsening facies progression (cf. Walther’s law). Sea-level fall is commonly inferred to generate a sharp-based shoreface succession, characterized by an abrupt vertical transition from heterolithic lower shoreface to sandy upper shoreface deposits across a marine erosion surface. A truncated vertical shoreface succession, capped by a marine erosion surface, is inferred to record significant wave ravinement during sea level rise and transgression.
Three-dimensional, process-physics-based, coupled hydrodynamic-morphodynamic wave-influenced delta models suggest that wave-dominated deltas will develop a sandy shoreface inner clinoform dipping from the subaerial delta plain to a relatively flat wave-scoured subaqueous delta top, which is laterally separated from a muddier delta front outer clinoform that dips from the subaqueous delta top edge to the shelf floor. As these systems prograde, deposits of these dual-clinoforms will become vertically stacked and will be separated by a regressive surface of marine erosion formed on the subaqueous delta top. Grain-size contrasts between these vertically stacked clinoform deposits reflect differences in sediment-transport directions and sorting under river- and wave-driven littoral currents along the coast, and cannot be uniquely related to sea-level changes. Gradual vertical facies successions develop where waves are less effective at reworking river-supplied sediment alongshore. In contrast, sharp-based shoreface deposits record more effective wave separation of sands onto the shoreface clinoform as muds are preferentially transported offshore onto the subaqueous delta clinoform.
The continuity of a regressive surface of marine erosion over many tens to hundreds of kilometres across mid-shelf regions of some stratigraphic sequences reflects a gradual lateral shift in the position of littoral current erosion on a subaqueous delta top. Timelines cross such vertical lithic discontinuities throughout the extent of a prograding deposit, and the regressive surface of marine erosion thus has little chronostratigraphic significance. The model results are used to suggest: 1) Characteristic strongly asymmetric wave-dominated parasequences suggest common river avulsion at the start of transgression, 2) Observed down-dip transitions from “gradual-based” to “sharp-based” shoreface deposits might record reduced sediment supply to the coast relative to rates of longshore drift as the system expands toward its auto-retreat limit, rather than transitions from normal to forced regression, and 3) Regional “top-truncated” shoreface successions might record progradation of dual-clinoform shorelines with wide deviation in net direction of regional sediment supply and shallow-water wave transport, rather than significant regional transgressive ravinement. The results of these models suggest caution in inferring sea-level changes from the character of vertical facies changes observed in individual well logs and isolated outcrop exposures. The models suggest new facies relationships that require testing in modern systems, outcrops, and subsurface examples.
Ticket Prices:
Member: $25.00
Student Member: $10.00
Non-Member: $50.00
Student Member pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST).

PESA WA - The Mungaroo - Brigadier Depositional System, Northwest Shelf Australia: A Fluvial-Deltaic Reservoir Core Workshop
2025-10-03 09:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Perth) | Carlisle core library, 37 Harris Street, Carlisle, WA, 6101, Australia
Supported by Santos Ltd.
PESA WA
3rd October 2025, 9:00 – 1600 Carlisle Core Library
The Mungaroo – Brigadier Depositional System, Northwest Shelf Australia: A Fluvial-Deltaic Reservoir Core Workshop
The Late Triassic Mungaroo and Brigadier Formations in the offshore Northern Carnarvon Basin, NWS, Australia, are the deposits of enormous very low-gradient rivers that fed an intracratonic basin. In such a very low gradient setting, the rivers expand across a broad distributive deltaic plain, as sediments spill out of channels into vast interdistributary bays. River distributaries reaching the coast deposit thin, asymmetrical wave-reworked delta sands. Avulsion of rivers laterally over hundreds of kilometres shifts the locus of deposition, allowing weak waves and tides time to rework sediments at bay mouths into shoreface sands with tidal inlets. Sea level variations can cause shorelines to shift long distances across these low-gradient alluvial-deltaic plains.
Standard facies models for fluvial-deltaic systems, which generally focus on higher gradient settings, do not provide a suitable template for predicting subsurface facies variations within the Mungaroo and Brigadier deposits. In higher gradient settings, a river crosses thin delta top deposits to feed a thick, basinward-thickening deltaic wedge, with the bulk of river-sourced sediments spread down steep deltaic clinoforms offshore. In very low-gradient settings, a river loses the competency to carry its sediment load to the coast, and the bulk of the sediment is extracted on the deltaic plains. Deposits in the expanding network of channels, on floodplain splays and brackish bay deltas, and within thin shoreline successions define a unique facies mosaic.
In this workshop, participants can observe the low-gradient fluvial-deltaic facies of the Mungaroo and Brigadier systems in core from the Northwest Shelf of Australia. Brief presentations will introduce conceptual models, set the stage, and provide a seismic-scale view of this system. Deposits of the major river in more proximal areas of the system are studied in core from Clio and Saty fields. Lower delta plain and river-dominated bay delta deposits are examined in core from Chandon field. Wave-reworked shoreline deposits will be visible in core from Wheatstone field. Together, these cores provide a sampling of the facies mosaic deposited by these low-gradient systems. By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained a better understanding of facies models for low-gradient fluvial-deltaic systems. Mungaroo and Brigadier deposits host world-class hydrocarbon reserves, which require advanced facies predictions to support subsurface modelling and development predictions. Low-gradient fluvial-deltaic facies are essential components of most shallow marine clastic wedges, particularly during the early highstand when deltaic systems prograde on top of transgressive shelf deposits. The workshop offers participants a broader perspective on fluvial-deltaic facies models, extending beyond the standard textbook examples.

Schedule
9:00 ─ Safety & Introductions
9:20 ─ Topic #1: Fluvial deposit architecture defined by process models and concepts (Willis: 20 min)
9:40 ─ Topic #2: Mungaroo-Brigadier System (Lang: 20 min)
10:00 ─ Topic #3: Mungaroo fluvial hierarchy and down-basin variations (Payenberg: 20 min)
10:30 ─ Tea break
10:45 ─ Start Core #1: Mungaroo fluvial (Clio 2 and Satyr 3)
11:45 ─ Discussion (core review)
12:00 ─ Lunch
12:45 ─ Short topic #1 (20 min plus Q&A) High- vs low-slope systems & asymmetric deltas
13:10 ─ Start core #2: Chandon 2 (Mungaroo lower delta plain and delta front)
14:00 ─ 14:15 ─ Tea break
14:30 ─ Start core #3: Wheatstone 2 BCH1ST1 (Brigadier asymmetric wave-influenced delta)
15:30 ─ Wrap-up discussion
15:45 ─ Finish
16:00 ─ Core store closes
Organisers: Dr. Brian Willis (Consultant) Dr. Tobi Payenberg (Chevron) & Prof. Simon Lang (UWA)
Hard limit of 30 attendees.

Cost:
PESA Members: $250
PESA Student Members $100

This event is for PESA WA members only. This is for insurance purposes. Please do not book on behalf of non-members. Please do not attend if you do not have a ticket.
If there are any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact: wa-secretary@pesa.com.au

PESA WA October Technical Lunch: Fault timing and depocentre development in the northern Perth Basin
2025-10-16 12:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Perth) | Parmelia Hilton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, Australia
Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye and Task Fronterra Geoscience:

PESA WA invites you to our technical luncheon on Thursday 16th October.
Fault timing and depocentre development in the northern Perth Basin
Presented by Chris Watts (School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University)

Despite extended periods of exploration in the Perth Basin spanning decades, the timing of fault activity, and shifts in depocentre development remain unclear, especially for intra-basinal faults. Multiple phases of rifting with variable extension directions during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic resulted in a series of predominantly NNW–SSE trending graben and half-graben extending from the Southern Carnarvon Basin in the north, through the Perth Basin in the south. Two regions of greater structural complexity are indicated by gravity and magnetic data along the margin, one of which occurs within the northern Perth Basin and the other between sub-basins of the Southern Carnarvon Basin. Recently acquired seismic surveys that better image the pre-Mesozoic stratigraphy in the northern Perth Basin, paired with legacy seismic and well data have allowed the investigation of fault timing and show a progressive southward shift in fault activity and depocentre location from the late Carboniferous through to the Early Cretaceous, and that some faults, despite having different similar orientations, initiate at different times. Of particular importance is a change in extension direction in the late Triassic and early Jurassic that allowed the development of E-W trending faults.
Ticket Prices:
Member (Early Bird): $69.00
Concession Member [Retired or Hardship]: $59.00
Student Member: $10.00
Graduate Member: $20.00
Non-Member: $99.00
Member (Non-Early Bird): $79.00
Early bird, Concession, Student and Graduate Member pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST). All ticket sales close at 5pm Tuesday (2 days prior).

PESA WA - Seismic Geomorphology and Seismic Stratigraphy: Fundamentals and Workflows
2025-11-06 - 2025-11-07 | Pan Pacific Perth, 207 Adelaide Terrace,, Perth, wa, 6000, Australia
Supported by Santos Ltd.
PESA WA – Seismic Geomorphology and Seismic Stratigraphy: Fundamentals and Workflows
Led by Henry W. Posamentier PhD (Consultant)
Course commences at 0900-0930am Thursday: Arrivals, registration, tea & coffee.
Objectives
This course is designed to enhance interpretation skill sets with regard to geologic interpretation of seismic data. The overall objective is to present seismic interpretation methods/workflows focused on seismic stratigraphy integrated with seismic geomorphology, aimed at reducing risk with regard to prediction of lithology, reservoir compartmentalization, and stratigraphic trapping potential in exploration and production. Specifically, the participant will be shown:

workflows designed to facilitate extraction of stratigraphic insights from 3D seismic data
techniques for 3D seismic geomorphologic/stratigraphic analyses
numerous examples of various depositional systems in various depositional settings (i.e., fluvial, marginal marine, deep-water, shallow-water carbonates)
integration of sequence stratigraphic concepts
discussion, with examples, of pitfalls in interpretation

Content
The application of seismic geomorphology and seismic stratigraphy to exploration and field development is a natural consequence of the advent of high-quality and increasingly more affordable and widespread 3D seismic data currently available. Integrating analyses of plan view (geomorphologic) and section view (stratigraphic) images can significantly enhance predictions of the spatial and temporal distribution of subsurface lithology (reservoir, source, and seal), compartmentalization, and stratigraphic trapping capabilities, as well as enhanced understanding of process sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy.
Participants in the course will be exposed to seismic geomorphologic/stratigraphic workflows, which involve 1) initial reconnaissance through 3D volumes with various slicing techniques using a variety of different seismic attribute volumes including full stack reflection amplitudes, near and far stacked amplitude volumes, and coherence volumes, as well as opacity rendering, 2) focus on features of geologic interest and further investigate through a combination of detailed slicing, interval attributes, horizon picking and amplitude extraction, horizon illumination, etc., and 3) comprehensive integration of seismic geomorphologic analyses with seismic stratigraphic analyses, whereby the plan view is integrated with the section view to ensure a consistent interpretation. 4) integration and application of sequence stratigraphic concepts to facilitate data interpretation.
Course lectures will involve both PowerPoint presentations as well as interactive demonstrations of the interpretation of 3D seismic data. A wide variety of depositional settings will be shown, ranging from non-marine to marginal marine, shelf and deep water, and will include both clastic as well as carbonate depositional environments. Concepts as well as applications pertaining to seismic-based analyses of depositional systems will be covered in detail.

Prices:
Members: $660
Students: $200
Non-Members: $1000
This course will be held at the Pan Pacific hotel (207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth). Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided as part of the course cost.

PESA WA November Technical Evening: Recent applications of seismic geomorphology / stratigraphy: Deep-water deposits of the Bay of Bengal and the Norwegian Sea
2025-11-06 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | Faraday’s, 216 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye, Totum Compliance, Core Laboratories and Task Fronterra Geoscience:

Supported by Santos Ltd
PESA WA invites you to our technical evening on Thursday 6th November.
Recent applications of seismic geomorphology / stratigraphy: Deep-water deposits of the Bay of Bengal and the Norwegian Sea
Presented by Henry Posamentier (Consultant)

This presentation will document the seismic stratigraphic and seismic geomorphologic expressions of deep-water deposits of the Bay of Bengal and the Norwegian Sea. They comprise both turbidites as well as mass transport deposits. The turbidite deposits from the Bay of Bengal include leveed channel complexes, terminal fans, and overbank sediment waves. With respect to terminal fans, there are those that terminate basinward of leveed channel systems and are relatively large, and those that are deposited late within a lowstand cycle of deposition and are confined between the levees of precursor larger channels, and are relatively small. Intra-basinal channels (i.e., channels that start and end on the basin floor) are observed within abandoned meander loops as well as interchannel overbank terrains. These intra-basinal channels are characterized by low sinuosity and likely are mud-filled with no exploration potential.
Mass transport deposits from the Norwegian Sea include flows, slumps, and slides, as well as isolated outrunner blocks. These deposits are associated with significant substate erosion up to 250m. The outrunner blocks are observed in clusters, generally in radiating patterns down-system. Some of the outrunner blocks at the termini of erosional furrows are associated with sediment tails orthogonal to the direction of transport, indicating bottom current direction from southwest to northeast. In addition, volcanic intrusive deposits will be documented. These intrusives comprise both dikes and sills. Some of the dikes are associated with laccoliths in the shallower section.
Ticket Prices:
Member: $35.00
Student Member: $10.00
Non-Member: $50.00
Student Member pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST).

PESA WA: Bowling Night with SPE, PESA, and AIG
2025-11-26 17:20 - 19:00 (Australia/Perth) | QLD
Please join the Perth Young Professional Engineers & Geoscientists from the Oil and Gas industry for a light-hearted night of ten-pin bowling, in-person networking and great conversations. Come along if you’re a student, graduate or working professional. Meeting your industry peers is a good chance to talk about your different backgrounds, experiences, projects, and companies with like-minded people in a very laid back and friendly setting.
Inclusion with the ticket:

1 x Game of Bowling.
Pizza & Chips to share.
1 x Drink Card.

Time:

Arrival 5:20pm
Games commence 5:40pm
Proceedings conclude 6:40pm

Registration and more details at website below:
https://www.spe-wa.org/event/bowling-night-with-spe-pesa-and-aig/

Basins Workshop 2025
2025-12-01 - 2025-12-02 | QLD
Basins Workshop 2025

The 2025 Basins Workshop will take place on Monday 1 and Tuesday 2 December 2025 at Curtin University, Perth in association with PESA WA Branch. The aim of the workshop is to provide an informal forum for the exchange of insights and ideas regarding the evolution of sedimentary basins in Australia and around the world, and the diverse resources they contain, including hydrocarbons, minerals, geothermal energy, natural hydrogen, and the potential for CO2 and hydrogen storage.
Talks are limited to 10 minutes in duration, with ample time for discussion, so we are looking for thought provoking ideas, rather than polished conference presentations. To participate all you need to do is to send the title of your proposed presentation to basinsworkshop2025@gmail.com by Friday 17 October 2025 – abstracts and/or written papers are not required.
There is no cost for registration, but in the first instance participation is restricted to those expressing interest in making a presentation (whether or not your presentation is finally selected for inclusion in the programme). Additional places will then be made available to co-authors and others interested in attending, according to demand.

PESA-ASEG WA: 38th Annual Golf Classic: Wanneroo Golf Club
2025-12-04 08:00 - 17:30 (Australia/Perth) | Wanneroo Golf Club, 44 Flyn Dr, Neerabup, WA, 6031, Australia
PESA-ASEG 38th Annual Golf Classic: Wanneroo Golf Club Tee off time: 12:20pm!!

The PESA-ASEG Annual Golf Classic is one of the most pleasant and well-attended oil and mineral industry golf tournaments held in Perth with recent years enjoying attendances of 100+ players.
This years tournament will be hosted at Waneroo Golf Club, on Thursday 4th December 2025. Located in Perth’s northern suburbs, just a 30-minute drive from Perth City, Wanneroo Golf Club is the epitome of a parkland course, set in a treelined, inland environment. The course features well-manicured tee boxes, fairways, and greens, providing a pristine golfing experience. While there might be subtle elevation changes, the fairways are generally flat, free from the knobs, knolls, and unpredictable bounces typical of links courses.
After the charity success from previous years, PESA-ASEG has decided to partner again with our charity of choice, Parkerville Children and Youth Care. The charity is a 120-year-old non-for-profit organization, based here in WA. With 1/4 girls and 1/6 boys affected by child abuse and trauma by the age of 18, Parkerville has a huge role within our community; to raise awareness of child abuse, provide services for those in need and grow the network of support in providing a future for our WA children, young people, and families. As a proud supporter of the charity, we will run the day to raise as many funds as possible and are inviting your company to take part in it. There will be a silent auction, competitions, prizes, and raffle.
Tour the holes
Take a tour of Wanneroo Golf Course

Dress Code
Wanneroo Golf Club Dress Code

Itinerary:
Teams of 4 will play ambrose rules, and mystery hole handicap weighting’s applied. The schedule for the day will be as follows:
Registration from 10am
10:30am-11:30am: Putting competition
11:15-12:10pm: Sausage sizzle prior to start
12:10pm: Briefing from pro shop staff
12:20pm: Shotgun start with escort to appropriate holes
5:15pm~5:30pm Approximate finish
5:45 pm: Drinks from bar and BBQ on the terrace
Ticket Prices:
Member (ASEG or PESA): $170.00
Non-Member: $220.00
Book now to avoid disappointment as tickets are strictly limited.
– Teams of 4 should be registered as 4 players by the same person.– Teams can be a named team captain plus players TBC. Please contact past-president@pesa.com.au to confirm names once these are known.
Refund Policy: Refunds are only applicable if notified in writing to past-president@pesa.com.au prior to the close of ticket sales.
We kindly thank the following sponsors for supporting this event:
Feel free to donate gifts on the day for charity auction (best to provide a business card with donation)
Charity Hole by ASEG PESA

On Course Drinks by WSG

Chipping competition by Magspec

Hole in one sponsor $20,000 prize

Hole Sponsors:

Prizes sponsored by:

For sponsorship opportunities contact Cristy (APerez69@slb.com) or Scott (scott.moore@seequent.com)

PESA WA: Christmas Luncheon 2025
2025-12-18 12:00 - 14:00 (Australia/Perth) | Parmelia HIlton, 14 Mill Street, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
PESA WA invites you to our Christmas Technical Luncheon on Thursday 18th December

Roughnecks and Reindeers: Stories of Strength and Spirit!!
Presented by Julia Davies

PESA WA Annual General Meeting
PESA WA is seeking new committee members to support the running of the society and its active program of technical and social events throughout the year. A range of positions are available, with opportunities to shadow existing members to build experience and understanding of the committee.
Nominations for 2025 committee positions are required by the 6th of December, prior to the AGM at the Annual Christmas Luncheon on the 12th of December. For further information please review role descriptions in the 2025 nomination form (link below) or reach out to the WA President (wa-president@pesa.com.au) or WA Secretary (wa-secretary@pesa.com.au) for further details.
PESA Committee Nomination Form

Hosted with thanks to our Platinum sponsor SLB:

Gold Sponsors IKON Science:

and Silver Sponsors Delft, Qeye, Totum Compliance, Core Laboratories and Task Fronterra Geoscience:

Each lunch ticket includes networking drinks at Metro Bar afterwards. No admittance to the drinks if you have not purchased a lunch ticket.

Ticket Prices:
Member (Early Bird): $79.00
Student Member (Early Bird): $49.00
Non-Member: $109.00
Member (Non-Early Bird): $89.00
Early bird pricing ends Thursday (1 week prior) at 5pm (AWST). All ticket sales close at midday on Monday for catering purposes.
