East coast gas: resource potential at different gas price scenarios (Part 1: quantification of unconventional gas resource potential)

Abstract

A qualitative ranking of the remaining gas potential of Australian east coast basins was undertaken using a spatial analysis methodology of play fairway sweet-spot mapping. Play components considered important for the presence and recovery of unconventional gas were mapped across the plays of interest in Australian east coast basins. Modelled horizontal well type curves and development plans from North American analogues for unconventional gas production were used to quantify the sweet-spot mapping using a methodology we developed called common recovery segment mapping. A range of potential resource numbers were calculated for each play, leading to a quantification of the potential resource across the entire area of interest. Part 2 of this paper will show how these undeveloped unconventional gas resources may ultimately contribute to the east coast Australia energy mix.