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Petroleum systems analysis has been carried out to better understand the geological CO2storage potential of the Gippsland Basin. From a regional perspective, the hydrocarbon migration architecture of the basin is interpreted to be dominated by two highly connected, filled-to-spill, hydrocarbon fairways; the northern (gas-dominated) and southern (oil-dominated) fill-spill chains, forming a convergent system that extends onshore along the Golden Beach Fill-Spill Chain (GBFSC). A separate oil-dominated Fill-Spill Chain, the Dolphin-Perch Fill-Spill Chain (DPFSC), is identified offshore to the southwest. Two broad flanking provinces, the Northerly Migration Province (NMP) and Southerly Migration Province (SMP), are also identified. Both provinces have broadly ramp-like geometries and relatively low dips. Migration across these provinces is not focused, and hence multiple pathways are present across a wide area. An understanding of the hydrocarbon systems in the basin can be used for characterising the potential for CO2storage. Previous studies have shown that the top seal potential of the offshore Gippsland Basin is suited to geological carbon storage and that large areas are prospective as storage regions. However, the linked nature of the fluid flow systems and the focused fluid flow fairways between areas of high storage potential and leaky systems onshore will require both a good regional geological understanding and informed resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

3D numerical models of coupled deformation and fluid flow provide a useful tool for exploration in orogenic-gold systems. Numerical modelling of ore-forming processes can lead to a reduction in targeting and detection risk, thus improving the value proposition of mineral exploration. Hydrothermal mineralisation arises from a complex interplay of deformation, fluid flow, conductive and advective heat transport, solute transport and chemical reactions. Coupled simulation of all of these processes represents a significant computational challenge that cannot be solved within the time-scale of a mineral exploration program. However, the problem can be simplified by identifying a subset of processes representing the first-order controls on mineralisation at the scale of interest. For most orogenic-gold systems, it is argued that the first-order controls on mineralisation at the camp to deposit scale are deformation-induced dilation, fluid flow and fluid focusing. Hence, numerical models of coupled deformation and fluid flow can provide a quantitative insight into the localisation of ore-forming fluids in this type of system. In two case studies, known deposits were modelled in order to determine the critical deformation and fluid-flow-related factors controlling the localisation of mineralisation in these systems. The quantitative results from the forward models were then used as a basis for constructing predictive models that were applied to regional targeting, prospect ranking and selecting the choice of detection methods. Both case studies show that numerical modelling is capable of reproducing the distribution of known anomalism, and that it can predict anomalies that were not expected or accounted for by purely empirical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]