PIECING TOGETHER THE ‘SKELETON’ OF THE GIPPSLAND BASIN ”We are standing up for Victorian jobs by investing in job-creating projects like the 3D modelling of the Gippsland Basin that will give exploration companies better information about what resources are available below the state’s surface,” Mr Batchelor said. “Part of a $5.2 million four-year Brumby Labor Government initiative to undertake geological modelling of the Gippsland Basin, this data will be used by 3D-GEO to map underground structures in a similar way to how doctors use ultrasound to look inside the human body. “3D-GEO’s staff have participated in seismic projects in the majority of basins between the Middle East and New Zealand and the company has extensive experience in the Gippsland Basin.” Mr Batchelor said the companies that submitted tenders ranged from big corporations to smaller suppliers from across Australia, some of which are world leaders in energy services. “GeoScience Victoria geologists will use the skeleton created by 3D-GEO to build a 3D model of the region,” he said. “The model will then be used to understand how carbon dioxide, water, oil and gas move through the porous rocks with time. “It will be a powerful and cutting-edge tool that allows geologists and exploration managers to visualise different layers of rock and faults, and will assist exploration companies in their search for valuable resource. “It will provide a good understanding of how petroleum, groundwater, geothermal and geological carbon storage projects may potentially operate side-by-side in the region.” |