The south-west airborne gravity survey might be a mystifying title but it’s part of the state government’s efforts to find out how much gas resources Victoria has.
From this week through to October, two small fixed-wing aircraft carrying highly sensitive gravity measuring technology will be flying over the Otway Basin, collecting data on both its offshore and onshore geology.
Victoria’s lead scientist Dr Amanda Caples said there was debate about how much gas Victoria had available to meet the “relative” gas supply shortage it was currently experiencing.
The state government has imposed a moratorium until 2020 on exploration for onshore conventional gas and the survey will help the government decide on the moratorium’s future.
The airborne survey is measuring gravity because denser rocks have a slightly stronger gravitational force than less dense rock, which provides clues to the distribution and shape of rock structures deep within the earth that suggest the presence of gas.
“We believe the Otway Basin to have a high potential for further discoveries of gas,” Dr Caples said.
She said the survey would look for source rock whose decomposition created gas, porous rock that allow gas to travel through it and sealing rock that helped trap the gas.
The information will be used to help develop 3D geological models of the Otway Basin to help scientists better understand the potential for onshore conventional gas and offshore gas exploration.
We believe the Otway Basin to have a high potential for further discoveries of gas.
Dr Amanda Caples
Dr Caples visited Warrnambool airport on Wednesday to inspect the planes and the technology and discuss the project with Emmanuel College students as part of National Science Week.
Depending on weather conditions, the planes will fly seven days a week during daylight hours mapping nearly 16,000 square kilometres over the council areas of Colac Otway, Corangamite, Moyne, Warrnambool, Southern Grampians and Glenelg and up to 18 kilometres offshore.
The Geological Survey of Victoria (GSV) has contracted CGG Aviation (Australia) Pty Ltd to conduct the survey.
Investigations are also underway into the potential for additional underground gas storage in the south-west.
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