Publication Name: The North West Shelf Australia
Authors: P.A. Jelley and M.J. Sayers
Date Published: July 1988
Number of Pages: 20
Reference Type: Book Section
Abstract:
Seismic exploration for oil on Barrow Island began in 1963 with the recording of two seismic refraction lines. Since then, three regional surveys and a recent semi-detailed survey have been conducted. The early seismic work supported surface geological mapping of the dominant regional structure- the Barrow Anticline. The first Barrow Island well discovered oil in 1964 and the field was declared commercial in 1966. Subsequent seismic surveys were programmed to assist in the development of the Barrow Island field. Prior to 1987 the progressive infilling of the seismic grid provided data that were not of sufficient quality to allow confident mapping of the exploration objectives on Barrow Island.In 1987, a 1024 channel, "sign-bit"Vibroseis crew was used to record a large, semi-detailed seismic grid over the entire island. This resulted in data of superior quality to any previous survey. This survey provided adequate control to mature a number of prospects. A deep drilling programme on Barrow Island in 1988 will test the largest of these prospects.