Publication Name: The Sedimentary Basins of WA
Authors: Steve Newman
Publication Volume: 1
Date Published: July 1994
Number of Pages: 22
Reference Type: Book Section
Abstract:
The Rankin Trend is a structurally high area within the north Carnarvon Basin, and marks the north-western edge of the Dampier Sub-basin. It is divided into a number of discrete blocks by a series of northeasttrending faults. These blocks include the major gas/ condensate fields of Goodwyn and North Rankin, and numerous other discoveries.The prevailing industry view of the structural history of this area is of a phase of wrench-related tilting and erosion in the Early to Middle Jurassic, followed by a Late Jurassic phase of major subsidence, forming the
Dampier Sub-basin, with the upthrown block to the north becoming the Rankin Trend.
New 3-D seismic data acquired by Woodside Offshore Petroleum has enabled the structural relationship of the Rankin Trend and that of the Dampier Sub-basin to be examined in detail over a limited area. The conclusions are that the Early to Middle Jurassic movement is dominantly extensional, and that the majority of structuring and uplift of the Rankin Trend occurred prior to, and completely independently of, the formation of the Dampier Sub-basin. A full understanding of the structural history of the Rankin Trend requires a more regional view, but the information and ideas presented here give some important clues.