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Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 43
6.0 DERM registered water bores
6.1 Introduction
RPS reviewed the groundwater data available in the DERM GWDB (2010) and identified over 10,400 registered water bores within the Galilee Basin study area. The locations of the DERM GWDB (2010) bores are presented on Plates 1 and 2, which are presented in Appendix A. A detailed summary of the registered water bores is presented in Appendix Table B.1 and a summary of the registered bore statistics is presented in Table 6.1.
The DERM registered bore data details and analysis are discussed on a tenement-by-tenement basis and presented in Section 8. There are just more than 3,500 registered water bores on the GBOF tenements. The basic statistics for these water bores are presented in Table 6.1. The analysis that follows focuses on the registered water bores on the GBOF tenements.
There is a long history of water bore drilling in the Galilee Basin study area. The first water bores were constructed in the middle 1800s. An analysis of the drilling depth data indicates that there are few very deep water bores in the Galilee Basin study area. The average (mean) water bore has been drilled to a depth of less than 250 m bGL and the median water bore has been drilled to a depth of less than 150 m bGL.
The aquifer bore tapped could be easily identified for over 8,000 water bores in the Galilee Basin study area. The aquifer identifications are based on the stratigraphy at the base of the water bore, the stratigraphy at the bottom of the casing for open holes, or the stratigraphy at casing perforation and well screens. RPS filtered the data and found that more than 6,800 water bores were correctly attributed to an aquifer in the Galilee Basin study area. Finally, the aquifer identifications were matched against the water bores in the GBOF tenements. This methodology yielded aquifer attributions for slightly more than 1,000 water bores in the active GBOF tenements.
The bore depth data, the depth to groundwater and the aquifer identifications are evidence that the majority of the water bores in the Galilee Basin study area were drilled in shallow alluvium at the surface or in the Eromanga Basin sediments (Table 6.2 and Figure 6.3). The exception, however, is in the east where the older Galilee Basin sequence outcrop or occur at relatively shallow depths (Figure 6.4).
6.2 Groundwater levels
Groundwater level data are available at more than 4,400 water bores within the Galilee Basin study area (Table 6.2, Figure 6.1, Figure 6.2, and Appendix D). Only the data that could be attributed to a specific aquifer was included in this assessment. Groundwater levels were evaluated for the entire Galilee Basin study area and on the individual active GBOF tenements. The groundwater level data have been summarised at the tenement level and are presented in Section 8.0.
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Table 6.1 Statistics for key DERM data for bores in the Galilee Basin study area
Statistic Value Units Number of bores with any DERM records 10,446 (bores)
Number of bores on GBOF tenements 3,573 (bores)
Number of bores with aquifer unit identified 6,828 (bores)
Number of bores with DERM yield records 657 (bores)
Lowest recorded yield value (RN 289) 0.01 (L/s)
Highest recorded yield value (RN 118256) 1,000 (L/s)
Mean of recorded yield values 8.2 (L/s)
Median of recorded yield values 2.1 (L/s)
Number of bores noted as flowing 403 (bores)
Number of bores with depth DERM records 3,185 (bores)
Lowest recorded depth value <6 (m bGL)
Highest recorded depth value 4,136.5 (m bGL)
Mean of recorded depth value 237 (m bGL)
Median of recorded depth values 134 (m bGL)
Number of standing groundwater level measurements 8,700 (number)
Number of bores with DERM standing groundwater level data 4,405 (bores)
Least recorded depth to standing groundwater levels 89.9(1) (m aGL)
Deepest recorded depth to standing groundwater levels 320 (m bGL)
Mean of recorded depth to standing groundwater levels 24.9 (m bGL)
Median of recorded depth to standing groundwater levels 19.6 (m bGL)
Number of bores with DERM flow data 2,205 (bores)
Number of bores with DERM discharge data 1,184 (bores)
Lowest recorded discharge value 0.01 (L/s)
Highest recorded discharge value 183.5 (L/s)
Mean of recorded discharge value 11.1 (L/s)
Median of recorded discharge value 7.2 (L/s)
Number of bores with DERM SWL data 1,822 (bores)
Lowest recorded SWL value -160.5 (m)
Highest recorded SWL value 147 (m)
Mean of recorded SWL value 4.2 (m)
Median of recorded SWL value 6.44 (m)
Number of bores with DERM SWL data 584 (bores)
Lowest recorded calculated SWL value -61.3 (m)
Highest recorded calculate SWL value 120.24 (m)
Mean of recorded calculate SWL value 18 (m)
Median of recorded calculate SWL value 14.7 (m)
(1) Artesian values reported as metres above ground level.
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Table 6.2 Summary of groundwater level data by formation for the Galilee Basin study area
Formation name Measurement period
Count
Depth to groundwater (m bGL)
Start End Ave Max Min Range Median Alluvium 10-Nov-1913 10-Nov-2007 34,332 -8.79 0 -46 54.31 -8.68
undifferentiated Tertiary sediments age 26-Nov-13 25-Apr-07 878 -21.38 13 -130 142.8 -18.48
Glendower Formation (Tertiary age sediments) 01-Jan-1935 01-Aug 2007 1,515 -22.24 -5 -81 76.44 -22.41
Basalt (Tertiary age sediments) 22-Mar-1947 09-Oct-2007 1,215 -16.93 -0.2 -95 94.8 -17.84
Winton Formation 01-Jan-1907 14-Aug-07 792 -35.99 9.7 -139 148.4 -35.05
Mackunda Formation 01-Jan-1910 28-Jan-2005 328 -37.26 -2.4 -98 95.2 -36.6
Griman Creek Formation 01-Jan-1924 27-Nov-1978 37 -27.57 -6.1 -101 94.51 -24.4
Allaru Mudstone 01-Dec-1914 01-Aug-2007 74 -32.75 -5.4 -73 67.6 -29.06
Wallumbilla Formation 01-Oct-1905 08-Mar-06 110 -25.25 22 -88 109.7 -24.38
Coreena Member of the Wallumbilla Formation 01-Jan-1907 04-Nov-1982 126 -27.01 0 -116 115.9 -24.4
Doncaster Member of the Wallumbilla Formation 01-Jan-1907 21-Oct-1990 105 -35.38 4.9 -117 122.3 -30.5
Rolling Downs Group 18-Jun-1940 01-Oct-1989 2 -45.72 -32 -59 27.44 -45.72
Wyandra Sandstone Member of the Cadna-owie Fm. 01-Jan-1909 23-Dec-1992 83 -34.79 82 -114 195.6 -30.48
Cadna-owie Formation 01-Jan-1907 24-Mar-1966 15 -37.12 -3.1 -98 94.55 -33.5
Ronlow beds 01-Jan-1905 14-Jul-2006 245 -66.57 11 -116 126.7 -84.64
Gilbert River Formation 24-May-1912 23-Jun-2003 51 1.46 47 -59 106 1
Bungil Formation 14-Feb-1936 30-Jun-1995 25 -29.69 36 -78 114.3 -27.4
Mooga Sandstone 12-Apr-1914 30-Sep-2000 69 -5.96 73 -33 105.5 -7.24
Hooray Sandstone 02-Jan-1900 25-Nov-2004 298 -18.70 114 -151 264.9 -14
Westbourne Formation 01-Jan-1912 08-Jul-1989 34 -55.20 33 -159 191.3 -52.55
Adori Sandstone 01-Jan-1903 28-Sep-1997 93 -28.89 85 -102 187.7 -24.39
Injune Creek Group 01-Jan-1912 20-Sep-1999 25 -23.79 14 -84 97.8 -17
Birkhead Formation 04-Oct-1915 13-Jul-2006 119 -30.64 22 -188 210.6 -21.9
Hutton Sandstone 01-Jan-1901 07-Jul-2004 372 -33.86 47 -104 367.1 -33.35
Boxvale Sandstone Member of the Evergreen Fm. 20-Nov-1944 06-Nov-1993 36 -26.11 15 -140 155 -14.45
Evergreen Formation 01-Jan-1944 09-Feb-1994 28 -30.23 53 -140 193 -24.4
Precipice Sandstone 01-Jan-1909 29-Jun-2001 44 -38.18 38 -124 242 -29.47
Moolayember Formation 01-Oct-1910 10-Oct-2007 92 -27.66 0 -125 125 -18.40
Warang Sandstone 03-Nov-1925 25-Jun-1984 6 -27.61 -0.3 -120 119.7 -9.75
Clematis Sandstone 01-May-1921 29-Jan-2005 44 -41.68 59 -119 178 -36.5
Dunda beds 02-Jan-1900 20-Jun-2002 7 -29.68 1.5 -46 47.23 -30.48
Rewan Formation 08-Mar-1960 10-Oct-2007 33 -39.62 -12 -182 169.8 -28.76
Betts Creek beds 21-Apr-1976 14-Aug-2000 16 -6.99 -2.2 -9.2 6.97 -7.80
Blackwater Group 01-Oct-1934 09-Oct-2007 59 -25.31 -4.6 -54 49.7 -25.12
Black Alley Shale 07-Apr-1983 15-Dec-2001 4 -45.85 -7.5 -102 94.5 -36.96
Peawaddy Formation 01-Feb-1934 07-Mar-2007 23 -48.68 -10 -110 100 -36.6
Colinlea Sandstone 01-Jan-1934 06-Oct-2004 68 -26.22 1.2 -107 108.5 -18.3
Joe Joe Group 10-Jul-1939 07-Feb-2007 43 -25.99 -1 -57 56 -21.34
Drummond Group 10-Oct-1990 05-Jan-2007 10 -24.81 -17 -46 28.25 -18.84
Ducabrook Formation 01-Jan-1932 07-Feb-2007 71 -13.92 0 -50 49.68 -11.3
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Figure 6.1 DERM GWDB Subartesian and artesian bores within the Galilee Basin study area and surrounding area
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Figure 6.2 DERM GWDB Alluvial water bores within the Galilee Basin study area and surrounding area
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Figure 6.3 DERM GWDB water bores tapping the Eromanga Basin sequence within the Galilee Basin study and surrounding areas
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Figure 6.4 DERM GWDB water bores tapping the Galilee Basin sequence within the Galilee Basin study area and surrounding area
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Groundwater levels range from deep (exceeding 100 m bGL), to groundwater levels indicating significant artesian pressure (Table 6.2 and Table 6.3). The DERM GWDB (2010) indicates artesian bores can be found across the entire Galilee Basin study area (Figure 6.2). The map of the bores with artesian pressure (Figure 6.1) reflects the overall pattern of groundwater recharge and discharge for the Galilee Basin study area. The pattern on Figure 6.1 also reflects the depth of drilling as well. The major groundwater recharge areas in the Galilee Basin study area are located in the north and in the east, where the Galilee Basin aquifers outcrop or subcrop (Figure 3.1 and Figure 6.2). These bores tapping the Galilee Basin aquifers are mainly subartesian. The artesian bores located near Longreach suggest that this may be an area of groundwater discharge. The wide area of artesian bores in the north-west near Richmond also corresponds with an area where groundwater may be discharging across the western Galilee Basin study area boundary.
6.2.1 Artesian and subartesian bore distribution
There are two significant clusters of subartesian bores located outside the limits of the major groundwater recharge areas. There is a broad line of subartesian bores located between ATP 1032 in the north to ATP 667 in the south. These subartesian bores tap the extensive shallow Quaternary alluvium and the Tertiary sediments as well as the upper Rolling Down Group sediments. The second cluster is located in the west between ATP 991 in the central Galilee Basin study area to ATP 999 over the Maneroo Platform. These bores are located in a part of the Galilee Basin study area where the Winton Formation and other Eromanga Basin sediments are thick enough to retain productive volumes of water. This is also a region of the Galilee Basin study area where the Galilee Basin aquifers are found at depth.
Figure 6.5 through Figure 6.18 provide location plots showing where water bores tap particular key geological units.
Figure 6.5 indicates the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the basement Drummond Basin sequence. The Late Devonian to early Carboniferous Drummond Basin sequence lies beneath the Koburra Trough and the Maneroo Platform portions of the study area. The Early Carboniferous Natal and Star of Hope Formations are the most frequently logged formations in boreholes that penetrate the Galilee Basin into the Drummond Basin sequence. From Figure 6.5 it can be seen that most of these bores are located to the east of the Galilee Basin study area and are only present on the western section of ATP 668 and on part of ATP 1044. The water bores tapping the Galilee Basin aquifers are shown on Figure 6.4. The available data did not allow the bores in the Joe Joe Group to be differentiated into their component formations such as the Aramac Coal Measures or the Jericho Formation.
Figure 6.6 indicates the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Betts Creek beds and Colinlea Sandstone of the Galilee Basin. From Figure 6.6 it can be seen that most of these bores are located in the far eastern section of the Galilee Basin study area to the south east of ATP 668 although some bores are located within ATP 668 and in the area between ATP 668 and ATP 1044 to the north.
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Figure 6.5 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping basement Drummond Basin sequence
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Figure 6.6 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping Betts Creek beds and Colinlea Sandstone
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Figure 6.7 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Rewan Formation / Dunda beds
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Figure 6.8 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Moolayember Formation / Clematis Sandstone / Warang Sandstone interval
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Figure 6.9 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Precipice Sandstone
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Figure 6.10 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Hutton Sandstone
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Figure 6.11 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Injune Creek Group / Westbourne Formation / Adori Sandstone / Birkhead Formation interval
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Figure 6.12 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Hooray Sandstone / Gilbert River Formation / Mooga Sandstone interval
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Figure 6.13 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Cadna-owie Formation / Wyandra Sandstone Member of the Cadna-owie Formation / Bungil Formation interval
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Figure 6.14 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Wallumbilla Formation
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Figure 6.15 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Allaru Mudstone
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Figure 6.16 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Winton Formation / Mackunda Formation interval
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Figure 6.17 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Tertiary age formations
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Figure 6.18 Locations of water bores interpreted as tapping alluvium
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Figure 6.7 indicates the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Rewan Formation / Dunda Beds of the Galilee Basin sequence. From Figure 6.7 it can be seen that most of these bores are, not surprisingly, located in the eastern section of the Galilee Basin study area where the Rewan Formation / Dunda Beds occur at a shallow depth. The majority of these bores are located within ATP 668, ATP 744 and to the south-east of ATP 668. Only a few of these bores are located further to the east.
Figure 6.8 indicates the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Moolayember Formation / Clematis Sandstone / Warang Sandstone interval of the Galilee Basin sequence. From Figure 6.8 it can be seen that most of these bores are, again not surprisingly, located in the eastern section of the Galilee Basin study area where the Moolayember Formation / Clematis Sandstone / Warang Sandstone occur at a shallow depth. The majority of these bores are located within ATP 667 and ATP 744 and to the south of ATP 667 and to the south and south-east of ATP 668. Only a few of these bores are located further to the east.
Figure 6.9 indicates the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Precipice Sandstone of the lower Surat Basin / Eromanga Basin interval. Figure 6.9 shows that most of the bores tapping the Precipice Sandstone are located in the eastern / south-eastern section of the Galilee Basin study area. The majority of these bores are located to the south of the GBOF tenements. However, one bore is located close to the southern boundary of ATP 780. This is not surprising, since the Precipice Sandstone and its lateral equivalents are not broadly distributed across the Eromanga Basin.
The locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Hutton Sandstone of the Surat Basin / Eromanga Basin in the Galilee Basin study area are shown on Figure 6.10. The numerous bores that tap this formation are located in a broad north-west to south-east trending belt that traverses the majority of the GBOF tenements, excluding ATP 668, ATP 743, ATP 744, ATP 1010, ATP 1015 and ATP 1044. The belt of bores tapping the Hutton Sandstone also extends to the south east across the Blackall, Tambo and Augathella areas. The densest bores are located where the Hutton Sandstone occurs at a shallow depth.
Figure 6.11 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Injune Creek Group (i.e. Westbourne Formation / Adori Sandstone / Birkhead Formation) interval of the Eromanga Basin. Fewer bores tap this interval than do the Hutton Sandstone. The bores tapping the Injune Creek Group form a broad north-west to south-east trending belt that traverses the GBOF tenements. However, most of these bores lie to the north of ATP 974 and to the south of ATP 780, although a few other bores are located on other tenements.
Figure 6.12 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Hooray Sandstone / Gilbert River Formation / Mooga Sandstone interval of the Eromanga Basin / Carpentaria Basin (located to the north) / Surat Basin (located to the south). More bores tap these aquifers than tap the Injune Creek Group. The bores tapping the Hooray Sandstone / Gilbert River Formation / Mooga Sandstone interval form a broad north-west to south-east trending belt that traverses the GBOF tenements, excluding ATP 668, ATP 743, ATP 744, ATP 1010, ATP 1015 and ATP 1044. These bores also extend south-east of the GBOF tenements across the Blackall, Tambo, Augathella and Charleville
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and north and north-west of the GBOF tenements. There is a high concentration of bores near Julia Creek and Richmond.
Figure 6.13 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Cadna-owie Formation / Wyandra Sandstone Member of the Cadna-owie Formation / Bungil Formation sediments of the Eromanga Basin / Surat Basin. Fewer bores tap this aquifer than the Hooray Sandstone. The bores tapping the Cadna-owie Formation / Wyandra Sandstone Member of the Cadna-owie Formation / Bungil Formation sediments form a poorly defined, broad north-west to south-east trending belt that traverses the GBOF tenements. However, very few of these bores are located in the GBOF tenements. The majority of these bores are located south-east near Blackall, Tambo, Augathella and Charleville.
Figure 6.14 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Wallumbilla Formation of the Eromanga Basin / Surat Basin. More bores tap this aquifer than the Cadna-owie Formation. The bores tapping the Wallumbilla Formation form a broad north-northwest to south-south-east trending belt that traverses the GBOF tenements, excluding ATP 668, ATP 744, ATP 991, ATP 999, ATP 1005, ATP 1010, and ATP 1044. This belt of bores tapping this aquifer also extends to the south-east to Blackall, Tambo, Augathella and Charleville.
Figure 6.15 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Allaru Mudstone of the Eromanga Basin. More bores tap this interval than do the Wallumbilla Formation. Only a few bores appear to tap this aquifer within ATP 666, ATP 799, ATP 996, ATP 999 and ATP 1005. A belt of bores tapping this aquifer extends to the south-south-east of the GBOF tenements to east of Tambo, Augathella and Charleville.
Figure 6.16 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Winton Formation / Mackunda Formation sediments of the Eromanga Basin. Numerous bores tap this aquifer. The bores tapping the Winton Formation / Mackunda Formation sediments form a broad north-west to south-east trending belt that traverses mainly ATP 989, ATP 991, ATP 999, and ATP 1041. A large concentration of bores is located to the south of the GBOF tenements between Windorah in the west and Blackall and Augathella in the east.
Figure 6.17 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping the Tertiary age formations. The bores tapping Tertiary sediments are largely restricted to the eastern section of the study area within ATP 667, ATP 668, ATP 744, ATP 780 and ATP 1044. However, additional bores tapping Tertiary sediments are located within ATP 1032. While Figure 6.17 shows bores tapping Tertiary sediments located in the eastern section of the GBOF tenements, a more detailed examination of the available data may reveal additional bores located in the central section of the Galilee Basin study area.
Figure 6.18 shows the locations of water bores interpreted as tapping Quaternary alluvium. The bores tapping alluvium are largely restricted to ATP 668 and to its east; ATP 1010, particularly its north-eastern section; ATP 1032 and ATP 666 near Hughenden. While Figure 6.18 shows relatively few bores tapping alluvium in the GBOF tenements, a more detailed examination may reveal the location of additional alluvial bores.
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6.2.2 Groundwater elevation contours
There are sufficient groundwater level observations in Table 6.2 to contour the piezometric surfaces for three intervals in the Eromanga Basin sequence, comprising undifferentiated Rolling Downs Group, Cadna-owie Formation / Hooray Sandstone and Hutton Sandstone. Data for the Galilee Basin aquifers could not be contoured because there are too few data for water bores associated with a given formation to contour. Additionally, the bores with more observations tended to cluster near formation outcrop and subcrop areas, so the contours do not reflect the piezometric surfaces for the parts of the Galilee Basin study area that underlie all the GBOF tenements.
6.2.2.1 Rolling Downs Group
The piezometric surface for the Rolling Downs Groups aquifer is presented on Figure 6.19. The distribution of the bores tapping the Rolling Downs Groups aquifer is presented on Figure 6.2. The major groundwater high regions for the Rolling Downs Groups aquifer are located north-east of Hughenden to south near Lake Galilee. The second groundwater high is located over the Springsure Shelf. There is an isolated groundwater high in the Rolling Downs Groups aquifer over the Maneroo Platform south of Winton. The groundwater highs located in the north and over the Springsure shelf are associated with the major groundwater intake beds for the Rolling Downs Group. The groundwater high and possible recharge area south of Winton is near the Forsyth Range (Figure 1.1). This groundwater high also corresponds to an area of Quaternary alluvium and Tertiary sediments. Groundwater may be recharging in this area because the shallow surface materials are retaining water long enough to allow it recharge the Rolling Downs Group. Confirmation of the association between the Quaternary alluvium and Tertiary sediments and groundwater recharge at the Forsyth Range would require additional assessment.
The major feature of the Rolling Downs Group groundwater contours are the two large groundwater lows; one over the Maneroo Platform and one at the southern end of the Lovelle Depression in the west. Both of these groundwater lows parallel the major river systems. The groundwater low over the Maneroo Platform parallels the Thomson River south-west of Longreach. The western groundwater low parallels the Diamantina River. The association between the groundwater elevation lows and the rivers suggests that these river systems are fed, in part, by groundwater discharging from the Rolling Downs Group aquifers. There is a similar, but much less pronounced, groundwater low paralleling the Blackwater Creek in the south-east.
The data density in the south-west is low, so a single control point was added along the Diamantina River, south of the Galilee Basin study area boundary. This control point had the effect of shifting the western groundwater contours closer to the river. The control point, however, did not influence the overall trend of groundwater flow to the west across the Galilee Basin study area boundary south of Julia Creek and west of Winton.
6.2.2.2 Cadna-owie / Hooray Sandstone aquifer systems
Groundwater elevation data from the Cadna-owie / Hooray Sandstone aquifers were compiled into the single groundwater contour map presented on Figure 6.20 to achieve sufficient data distribution for conturing.
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Figure 6.19 Groundwater elevation contours for the Galilee Basin study area undifferentiated Rolling Downs Group aquifers
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Figure 6.20 Groundwater elevation contours for the Cadna-owie Formation / Hooray Sandstone aquifers
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The distribution of the bores tapping the Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers is presented on Figure 6.12 and Figure 6.13.
The overall groundwater flow trends in the Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone are very similar to the groundwater flow trends in the overlying Rolling Downs Group, however, the focus of the groundwater recharge is slightly different. The groundwater recharge areas are located in the north, east and over the Springsure Shelf (Figure 6.20). There is a notable groundwater high north of Hughenden and east of Aramac. There is no groundwater high under the Forsyth Range in the Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers.
The groundwater flow pattern for the Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers is dominantly to the west. However, there is a significant north-ward component to the flow. This component appears to be associated with the Flinders River system. The groundwater flow pattern in the Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers suggests that the groundwater discharge areas for these aquifers lie to the west and north-west of the Galilee Basin study area. This local pattern differs from the overall southward groundwater flow pattern identified in Radke et al., (2000), most likely because the Galilee Basin study area is located near the recharge areas and contains a small area of Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers that drain north-ward into the Carpentaria Basin. In detail, the Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers are draining westward from the Springsure Shelf and the western side of the Great Dividing Range towards the Diamantina River. There are several bores with what appears to be anomalously high groundwater levels in the south-western portion of study area.
These groundwater levels impart a north-ward flow direction to the groundwater in the Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers. This high is likely the result of bores attributed to Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers that cross connect with other aquifers. However, the groundwater flow in the Flinders River catchment suggests that a portion of the groundwater in Cadna-owie Formation and Hooray Sandstone aquifers is discharging to the north and into the Carpentaria Basin.
6.2.2.3 Hutton Sandstone aquifer
The piezometric surface elevations for the Hutton Sandstone aquifer, an Eromanga Basin aquifer, have been compiled and plotted on Figure 6.21. The distribution of the bores tapping the Hutton Sandstone aquifer is presented on Figure 6.10. The groundwater elevation contours for the Hutton Sandstone aquifer are the highest over the Springsure shelf. The pronounced groundwater highs north of Hughenden and east of Aramac present in the overlying aquifers (i.e. Cadna-owie and Hooray Sandstone aquifers) are absent in the Hutton Sandstone aquifer. Although the groundwater flow pattern for the Hutton Sandstone aquifer differs from the Cadna-owie and Hooray Sandstone aquifers, the groundwater recharge areas for the Cadna-owie / Hooray Sandstone and Hutton Sandstone aquifers are located in the same area. This is likely because groundwater flow pattern in the Hutton Sandstone aquifer over the Springsure Shelf is directly to the west and is not oriented to recharge the Hutton Sandstone underlying the northern and western portions of the Galilee Basin study area.
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Figure 6.21 Groundwater elevation contours for the Hutton Sandstone aquifer
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Groundwater entering the Hutton Sandstone in the northern and western Galilee Basin study area likely enters the sandstone along the zero formation edge between Hughenden and Lake Galilee.
Due to a lack of data over the Maneroo Platform, the groundwater discharge pattern from the Hutton Sandstone is not as well defined as it for the other aquifers overlying the Maneroo Platform (Figure 6.21). Groundwater flow over the Springsure Shelf suggests that the Hutton Sandstone aquifer discharge area is located to the south and south-west. There is some groundwater flow into to the north-west towards Barcaldine. This study did not process groundwater-elevation data beyond the Galilee Basin study area boundary, so it is not practical to identify the Hutton Sandstone aquifer discharge area south of the Springsure Shelf.
Groundwater flow in the Hutton Sandstone north of Longreach is towards a groundwater elevation low located just north of the Hulton-Rand structure. This groundwater low is located in an area where the Hutton Sandstone unconformably overlies the Permian coal measures. This is also a region where the Hutton Sandstone appears to thin considerably as it passes over the crest of the Maranthona Monocline (Figure 1.3 and Figure 3.4). Additional groundwater elevation data are required to develop a better understanding of this groundwater low. Groundwater flow in the Hutton Sandstone west of Richmond and Winton is to the west. This westward groundwater flow pattern is very similar to the groundwater flow pattern in the overlying Cadna-owie and Hooray Sandstone aquifers, the exception being that the northern groundwater flow component is weaker. The groundwater flow pattern in the northern and western Eromanga Basin overlying the Galilee Basin, suggests that the Hutton Sandstone aquifer discharge area lies to the west and north-west of the study area. There are insufficient data available to determine if the location of the groundwater discharge area west of the Galilee Basin study area is associated with groundwater use or groundwater discharge to the surface or other groundwater basin.
6.2.3 Summary of standard DERM GWDB search
A standard DERM GWDB search was conducted to develop an understanding of aquifer productive capacity. The results of this analysis are presented in Table 6.3. Data were available for most of the major Eromanga and Galilee Basin aquifers. However, in several instances DERM reported a test but did not report an observation (e.g. for a bore tapping the Doncaster Member of the Wallumbilla Formation).
DERM reports more than 500 flow observations but only recorded just over 300 usable results. Yields were measured in water bores attributed to the Hutton Sandstone aquifer more than 100 times. The recorded yield measurements for the Hutton Sandstone aquifer ranged from 0.2 to 50.0 L/s per bore and had a median value of 8.25 L/s.
The highest yield of 157.8 L/s was measured at bore RN 334 (Table 6.3). The data in the DERM GWDB (2010) suggest that this bore taps the Wallumbilla Formation. RN 334 was drilled in August 1899, so this yield value likely dates from that time. The yield measurement data has not been recorded. The highest median water yield was calculated at 35.9 L/s for bores attributed to Boxvale Sandstone Member of the Evergreen Formation.
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Table 6.3 Galilee Basin study area aquifer yield summary
Basin Formation Number of observations
Number of observations with yield
data
Yield (L/s)
Mean or Value(1) Median Min Max Range
Surficial deposits undifferentiated Tertiary age 4 4 2.24 1.71 0.09 5.44 5.35 Basalt (Tertiary age) 1 1 29.00 -- -- -- --
Eromanga Basin sequence
Mackunda Formation 1 1 0.03 -- -- -- -- Doncaster Member of the Wallumbilla Formation 1 0 -- -- -- -- --
Wyandra Sandstone Member of the Cadna-owie Formation 3 3 2.04 1.61 1.58 2.93 1.35
Ronlow beds 29 17 7.03 3.58 0.02 55.00 54.98 Gilbert River Formation 73 45 15.81 5.40 0.01 124.08 124.07 Bungil Formation 1 1 0.50 -- -- -- -- Hooray Sandstone 87 61 10.18 6.30 0.05 40.00 39.95 Injune Creek Group 21 18 16.73 10.42 0.13 80.00 79.87 Westbourne Formation 1 1 40.00 -- -- -- -- Adori Sandstone 16 10 11.82 5.11 0.81 52.55 51.74 Birkhead Formation 8 6 1.51 0.14 0.01 8.51 8.50 Hutton Sandstone 210 106 11.98 8.25 0.02 50.00 49.98 Boxvale Sandstone Member of the Evergreen Formation 13 4 38.01 38.12 2.37 73.43 71.06
Precipice Sandstone 15 13 7.12 4.42 0.04 24.46 24.42
Galilee Basin sequence
Moolayember Formation 5 5 3.69 3.15 0.15 7.60 7.45 Warang Sandstone 1 1 4.73 -- -- -- -- Clematis Sandstone 9 8 4.38 3.66 0.21 10.59 10.38 Dunda beds 1 1 1.00 -- -- -- -- Colinlea Sandstone 1 1 0.14 -- -- -- --
(1) The value is present when there are too few data points to average.
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6.3 Summary of DERM GWDB flow and pumping test data for the Galilee
Basin study area
A special request was placed with DERM to obtain data from the Pumping Test and Design Table in the DERM GWDB (2010). The location of the DERM GWDB (2010) bores with flow data are presented on Figure 6.22. The distribution of the water bores with flow data by tenement is illustrated in the histogram presented on Figure 6.23: the totals for each tenement include bores with static water level recordings (Appendix Table D-1), discharge data and calculated static water levels.
Flow and static groundwater level data was received for nearly 2,100 bores in the Galilee Basin study area from DERM. Aquifers have been identified for fewer than 1,100 water bores (Table 6.4). The first flow test was conducted on a bore in 1887 and the most recent was conducted on 18 May 2011. More than 450 flow observations made prior to 1900 have been recorded by DERM. The changes in aquifer pressure and depth to groundwater over time were analysed by plotting the discharge flow rate upon arrival at the bore (Figure 6.24) and changes in the static and calculated groundwater levels (Figure 6.25 and 6.26). The groundwater discharge from water bores in the early 1900s peaked at over 100 L/s per bore for a small number of bores (Figure 6.24) The peak measured groundwater flow per bore declined non-linearly to about 40 L/s per bore sometime in 1975. Groundwater flow following 2000 continues a slow decline to approximately 30 L/s per bore. However, there is a slight increase in the number of flow observations exceeding 40 L/s per bore after 2000.
DERM recorded the largest number of observations at the largest number of bores between 1910 and 1975. Prior to 1910, the number of observations recorded in the DERM GWDB (2010) reflects the number of bores drilled into the Eromanga and Galilee Basin aquifers. The increase in recorded observations reflects the increasing number of bores tapping the Eromanga and Galilee Basin aquifers. The decline in recorded observations following 1975 is due to reduced measurement levels and not the availability of bores to measure.
The static groundwater level data are dominated by subartesian values prior to 1975 and artesian values after 2000. This shift between subartesian and artesian values is likely due to changes in the bores monitored and not due to an apparent increase in aquifer pressure. There is a slight decline in the peak artesian groundwater levels over 100 m aGL prior to 1975 and peak artesian groundwater levels near 75 m aGL after 2000. The deepest depth to groundwater is relatively consistent at 150 m bGL between 1900 and 2010. However, there are significantly more subartesian observations following 2000 than there were prior to 1975. It is unknown if this is an artefact of the bores sampled or if this is related to an actual loss of aquifer pressure.
The calculated static groundwater levels appear to remain constant from the early 1980s through to 2010. If there is any trend, the calculated static groundwater levels appear to have increased slightly since 1980.
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Figure 6.22 DERM GWDB bores with flow and pumping test data
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Figure 6.23 Distribution of flow data measurements by GBOF tenement
Table 6.4 The number of water bores with flow data by formation
Basin Formation Name
Number of bore tapping
Surficial deposits Alluvial sediments (undifferentiated) 37 Tertiary sediments (undifferentiated) 16 Glendower Formation (Tertiary) 4
Eromanga Basin sequence
Winton Formation 107 Mackunda Formation 65 Allaru Mudstone 15 Coreena Member (Wallumbilla Formation) 11 Doncaster Member (Wallumbilla Formation) 16 Wallumbilla Formation (undifferentiated) 50 Gilbert River Formation 37 Ronlow beds 70 Cadna-owie Formation 2 Hooray Sandstone 191 Longsight Sandstone 1 Westbourne Formation 13 Adori Sandstone 59 Birkhead Formation 8 Injune Creek Group (undifferentiated) 33 Hutton Sandstone 269 Boxvale Sandstone Member (Evergreen Formation) 3 Evergreen Formation 2 Precipice Sandstone 32
Galilee Basin sequence
Warang Sandstone 1 Moolayember Formation 9 Clematis Sandstone 14 Dunda beds 1 Rewan Formation 1 Blackwater Group 1
45 49
72
18 8
75
23
58 59
116
52
96
60 54
1 7
75
15
45
86
16 11
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140N
um
be o
f b
ore
s w
ith
data
Tenement Number
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Figure 6.24 Bore discharge (L/s) at arrival for all bores in the Galilee Basin study area with data, 1900 to 2010
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Figure 6.25 Static groundwater levels for all bores in the Galilee Basin study area with data, 1900 to 2010
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Figure 6.26 Calculated static groundwater levels for all bores in the Galilee Basin study area with data, 1900 to 2010
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6.4 Groundwater Quality
Groundwater quality data were extracted from the DERM GWDB (2010) for analysis (Appendix E). The DERM GWDB (2010) groundwater quality data represents a wide range of groundwater samples collected over many decades. Some groundwater samples have been collected as part of ad hoc sampling often overseen by the bore driller or bore owner. Those samples generally have not undergone data quality validation. Other samples have been collected as part of bore sampling programs with data quality validation procedures in place. Additionally the compounds tested for varied considerably between water bores, so a comprehensive set of results are not available for all of the aquifers sampled. Nothwithstanding these variations in sampling protocol and analytes tested, all available data obtained from the DERM GWDB have been incorporated into the ground water quality data analysis.
The groundwater quality data presented below, in Appendix Table E-1 and in Section 8, provide a snap shot of the groundwater quality in the aquifers of the Galilee Basin study area prior to this investigation. However, additional groundwater quality sampling, conducted to current quality assurance and quality control standards and analysed using current laboratory methodologies, is needed to establish a quantitatively defensible groundwater quality baseline for the aquifers in the Galilee basin study area. For instance, dissolved and free methane, which are likely to be present in the groundwater found in the study area, have not been tested historically.
DERM GWDB (2010) reports constituent concentrations below the Limit of Reporting as the LOR value. The constituent concentrations below the LOR are identified by a data flag in the DERM GWDB (2010) and are denoted in Appendix Table E-1 as non-detects or ND. A review of the water quality data identified a number of constituent concentrations reported in the DERM GWDB and Appendix Table E-1, which are considered to be implausible hydrogeochemically. These values have been labelled as “ND”, or non-detects, in the Section 8 groundwater quality summary tables; however, the value reported in the DERM GWDB is presented in Appendix Table E-1.
Groundwater quality data presented in Appendix Table E-1 also contain data obtained from the QPED database and the GBOF operators. A number of these data have been collected from the Permian age coal measures as part of an exploration or stratigraphic drilling program. Specifically, the groundwater samples were obtained from drill stem tests and as a result can show strong drilling fluid influences, including high electrical conductivity values and high chloride, sodium and potassium levels when compared to the groundwater samples obtained from a water bore completed in a comparable aquifer or water-bearing sediment. The constituents in the drill stem test results are sufficient to skew the statistical representation of groundwater quality analyses; therefore, the data collected from exploration or stratigraphic programs has been excluded from the groundwater quality analysis.This data is summarised in Section 8.0.
The significant majority of the pH values reported in this report were measured in the laboratory. The pH of a groundwater sample can change significantly between the time the groundwater is brought to the surface and the time it reaches the laboratory for measurement. This lag between sampling and the laboratory means that a pH measured at the well head provides a better indication of the pH of the groundwater within the aquifer than a measurement made at the analytical laboratory. Therefore, it is recommended that pH measurements are recorded in the field.
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The groundwater samples were obtained from water bores attributed to 32 aquifer systems and water bearing sediments ranging from the Quaternary alluvium aquifer to the Joe Joe Group. Groundwater samples have been assigned to stratigraphic groups, formations and formation members. Those samples where aquifers and water bearing sediments could not be clearly identified from the DERM GWDB (2010) are grouped as undifferentiated aquifers. These undifferentiated groups could represent individual or multiple aquifers or water-bearing sediments (Table 6.6a).
Groundwater samples have also been taken from drill stem tests for ten aquifers and water bearing sediments. These results have been summarised in Table 6.6b separately from the groundwater samples. Where aquifer units or water bearing sediments have not been clearly assigned to an aquifer or water bearing sediment, these samples have been labelled as undifferentiated aquifer.
The Quaternary alluvium was sampled most frequently and the aquifers in the basement sequence rocks were sampled the least. Groundwater quality data are available from the major and some of the minor Eromanga Basin and Galilee Basin aquifers. A number of groundwater samples were obtained from water bores attributed to several of the major Eromanga Basin and Galilee Basin aquitards.
Groundwater quality sample results were obtained from more than 650 individual water bores in the study area. Most of these bores were only sampled a single time. Note that DERM records the depth below ground surface that a groundwater sample was collected. This depth may represent the depth of the pump, the screen interval or the water level at the time the sample was collected. The recorded depth that a groundwater sample was collected frequently differs from the depth to groundwater or the depth of the screened or perforated interval. According to data recorded in the DERM GWDB (2010), bores with groundwater quality data, tap aquifers ranging from 2 m bGL (RN 2089) to 2,999 m bGL (RN 15577). DERM listed one sample collected at a depth over 6,410 m (RN 1382, Clover Hills 2 drilled in 1908); however, this is almost certainly an error in GWDB, given that another sample is recorded at 641 m bGL for the same bore.
Generally, groundwater quality ranges from fresh water to saline (Table 6.5). However, the majority of the groundwater quality results for electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids suggest that the groundwater in the water bores in the Galilee Basin study area is suitable for stock watering and locally suitable for domestic consumption. The groundwater is typically fresh water to slightly brackish water.
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Table 6.5 Groundwater salinity based on electrical conductivity
Water type Electrical conductivity
(µS/cm)
Fresh <1,660
Slightly brackish 1,660 to 5,000
Brackish 5,000 to 16,600
Saline 16,600 to 66,400
Brine >66,400
Source: Suttar, S., 1990
The upper aquifers, the Quaternary alluvial and Tertiary sediments have some of the highest salinity values measured for bores constructed in the Galilee Basin study area. This is important, because these aquifers are the most important groundwater resource, with regard to the total number of water bores in the study area.
The highest average electrical conductivity is seen in the Moolayember Formation followed by the Winton and Mackunda Formations (Table 6.6a). All other formations regardless of vertical or stratigraphic depth (Table 6.6a) have an average electrical conductivity of groundwater below 3,000 µS/cm.
Overall highest average total dissolved solids (TDS) are present in the Moolayember Formation. Within the Eromanga Basin sequence the Winton and the Mackunda Formations have the hightest average TDS (Table 6.6a).
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Basin Aquifer Formation Statistic
Dep
th o
f Sam
ple
(m b
GL)
Con
duct
ivity
(µ
S/c
m)
pH
Har
dnes
s (m
g/L
Ca)
Alk
alin
ity
(mg/
L)
Tota
l Dis
solv
ed
Sol
ids
(mg/
L)
Sod
ium
(m
g/L)
Pot
assi
um
(mg/
L)
Cal
cium
(m
g/L)
Mag
nesi
um
(mg/
L)
Iron
(mg/
L)
Man
gane
se
(mg/
L)
Bic
arbo
nate
(m
g/L)
Car
bona
te
(mg/
L)
Chl
orid
e (m
g/L)
Fluo
ride
(mg/
L)
Nitr
ate
(mg/
L)
Sul
phat
e (m
g/L)
Zinc
(m
g/L)
Surficial Deposits
Alluvium
Total number 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
Number of tests 23 47 48 46 46 45 48 34 48 47 9 11 48 15 48 44 15 44 7
Average 22.3 1,318 7.5 233 203 789 192 10.7 45.2 27.4 0.50 0.03 240 2.2 253 0.46 5.2 95.9 0.16
Maximum 65.0 7,630 8.0 1,459 485 4,380 1,090 28.0 318 162 2.4 0.16 580 6.0 2,519 1.4 19.0 890 0.80
Minimum 5.0 108 6.0 13.0 15.0 47.5 5.7 1.0 1.1 0.50 0.01 0.01 12.6 1.0 5.0 0.12 1.0 3.2 0.01
undifferentiated Tertiary Sediments
Total number 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251 251
Number of tests 61 247 249 250 244 248 251 239 251 251 168 182 243 58 251 237 162 251 100
Average 84.8 1,797 7.2 218 129 1,074 290 12.0 31.6 33.6 0.67 0.12 154 4.4 470 0.28 34.2 52.2 0.24
Maximum 185 22,700 8.0 1,627 485 14,211 4,860 307 272 310 15.0 4.6 502 59.0 7,700 1.2 172 980 4.0
Minimum 6.0 190 5.0 11.0 13.0 118 21.5 ND 0.20 1.9 0.01 0.01 9.7 1.0 10.4 0.07 1.0 2.0 0.01
Eromanga Basin Sequence
Winton Formation
Total number 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88 88
Number of tests 35 44 64 87 88 37 88 17 88 85 6 5 43 53 88 75 13 82 3
Average 212 6,116 7.6 502 236 4,253 1,634 9.3 133 41.0 0.71 0.26 354 93.2 2,345 0.43 8.2 525 0.48
Maximum 961 25,500 9.0 4,052 3,002 17,073 16,088 27.0 1,300 260 2.9 0.70 3,661 282 16,731 2.1 15.0 9,667 0.80
Minimum 53.0 530 6.0 15.0 11.0 290 52.0 1.0 2.0 0.80 0.01 0.01 14.0 1.0 25.0 0.01 1.0 4.0 0.15
Mackunda Formation
Total number 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80
Number of tests 49 35 41 76 78 31 80 15 80 74 6 7 35 54 80 64 12 72 6
Average 193 4,165 7.6 341 237 2,591 1,047 6.6 90.4 25.8 1.3 0.03 317 104 1,374 0.81 4.3 468 0.09
Maximum 1,098 13,500 9.0 2,402 1,361 7,652 3,376 16.0 947 295 5.7 0.10 740 815 5,794 5.7 12.0 2,056 0.20
Minimum 28.0 495 6.0 12.0 26.0 310 26.9 1.0 1.3 0.10 0.01 0.01 30.5 1.0 41.5 0.04 1.0 2.0 0.01
Allaru Mudstone
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0
Value -- 1,100 8.0 26.0 200 640 247 -- 2.0 5.0 -- -- 244 -- 230 0.70 -- 35.0 --
Coreena Member of the Wallumbilla Formation
Total number 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Number of tests 8 8 8 7 8 6 8 3 8 7 1 2 8 3 8 8 2 4 3
Average 154 748 8.0 21.1 216 328 168 11.0 5.3 1.6 0.19 0.02 262 1.7 118 1.1 1.0 7.6 0.03
Maximum 266 1,350 8.0 56.0 445 520 343 20.0 16.0 4.0 0.19 0.02 543 3.0 225 3.5 1.0 20.0 0.05
Minimum 15.0 425 8.0 11.0 58.0 251 87.0 6.0 1.0 0.10 0.19 0.01 71.0 1.0 37.0 0.20 1.0 2.5 0.01
Doncaster Member of the Wallumbilla Formation
Total number 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Number of tests 7 8 9 9 10 6 10 3 10 9 2 1 8 3 10 10 1 8 2
Average 71.1 672 7.6 38.3 170 344 176 4.7 6.7 5.0 0.09 0.41 153 138 167 0.68 1.0 19.9 0.04
Maximum 317 1,500 8.0 55.0 420 423 400 6.0 11.2 11.0 0.12 0.41 512 239 392 2.0 1.0 80.1 0.05
Minimum 14.0 385 6.0 18.0 34.0 291 72.0 3.0 2.0 0.70 0.05 0.41 41.0 5.0 81.0 0.10 1.0 4.0 0.03
Wallumbilla Formation
Total number 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57
Number of tests 34 50 53 33 57 49 57 26 57 44 16 13 49 37 57 56 10 37 3
Average 273 1,200 8.1 431 376 1,765 541 11.6 57.5 33.9 0.12 0.02 466 41.6 731 0.99 24.6 99.0 0.02
Maximum 921 10,000 9.0 9,214 6,056 42,096 12,475 203 2,328 825 0.99 0.09 6,963 443 23,780 6.3 186 2,654 0.04
Minimum 24.0 300 7.0 11.0 13.0 154 29.0 1.0 0.40 0.10 0.01 0.01 107 1.0 25.0 0.05 1.0 0.50 0.01
Gilbert River Formation
Total number 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
Number of tests 13 15 15 9 16 14 16 12 14 10 5 6 15 13 16 16 1 14 1
Average 399 679 8.0 119 258 403 127 2.9 10.7 17.5 0.04 0.04 316 10.9 57.6 0.26 1.0 10.8 0.01
Maximum 582 1,500 9.0 271 520 846 347 6.0 46.0 54.4 0.07 0.08 595 56.0 206 1.5 1.0 35.0 0.01
Minimum 22.0 381 7.0 22.0 93.0 212 35.0 1.0 0.70 0.20 0.02 0.01 143 1.0 24.1 0.04 1.0 6.1 0.01
Wyandra Sandstone
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 0
Value -- 635 8.0 16.0 -- 392 159 -- 6.0 -- -- -- 354 -- 40.0 0.40 -- 13.0 --
Hooray Sandstone
Total number 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160
Number of tests 116 148 156 94 157 139 160 93 156 124 66 43 151 124 160 156 23 106 20
Average 466 1,026 8.1 79.6 378 714 285 4.3 14.5 4.4 0.18 0.03 437 29.3 181 1.6 2.6 57.7 0.02
Maximum 1,274 12,600 9.0 2,072 1,062 9,613 3,970 21.0 626 123 3.5 0.07 1,250 572 6,615 10.5 7.0 1,380 0.05
Minimum 9.0 200 7.0 11.0 47.0 161 48.0 ND 0.40 0.10 0.01 0.01 50.0 1.0 2.9 0.10 1.0 0.50 0.01
Table 6.6a Summary of groundwater quality data by aquifer formation
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Basin Aquifer Formation Statistic
Dep
th o
f Sam
ple
(m b
GL)
Con
duct
ivity
(µ
S/c
m)
pH
Har
dnes
s (m
g/L
Ca)
Alk
alin
ity
(mg/
L)
Tota
l Dis
solv
ed
Sol
ids
(mg/
L)
Sod
ium
(m
g/L)
Pot
assi
um
(mg/
L)
Cal
cium
(m
g/L)
Mag
nesi
um
(mg/
L)
Iron
(mg/
L)
Man
gane
se
(mg/
L)
Bic
arbo
nate
(m
g/L)
Car
bona
te
(mg/
L)
Chl
orid
e (m
g/L)
Fluo
ride
(mg/
L)
Nitr
ate
(mg/
L)
Sul
phat
e (m
g/L)
Zinc
(m
g/L)
Cadna-Owie Formation/ Hooray Sandstone/ Injune Creek Group
Total number 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
Number of tests 3 5 5 6 6 5 6 2 6 4 2 2 5 3 6 6 0 4 1
Average 890 1,401 8.2 13.2 579 886 348 5.0 4.4 0.68 0.24 0.03 757 74.0 123 2.0 -- 28.9 0.07
Maximum 984 2,000 9.0 18.0 956 1,298 543 5.0 7.0 1.4 0.41 0.05 1,166 164 266 3.9 ND 35.5 0.07
Minimum 704 495 8.0 11.0 212 291 121 5.0 2.9 0.10 0.06 0.01 259 20.0 38.0 0.10 ND 21.0 0.07
Westbourne Formation
Total number 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Number of tests 6 7 8 8 8 7 8 4 8 7 1 0 7 4 8 8 0 8 2
Average 465 910 8.1 30.8 274 570 190 4.8 6.5 4.0 0.01 -- 342 34.0 98.4 1.6 -- 33.3 0.04
Maximum 950 1,750 9.0 75.0 679 1,133 435 7.0 12.0 11.0 0.01 ND 790 100 295 5.5 ND 90.0 0.04
Minimum 170 250 8.0 11.0 71.0 138 31.0 3.0 3.7 0.10 0.01 ND 86.0 1.0 38.0 0.06 ND 2.0 0.03
Adori Sandstone
Total number 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
Number of tests 10 15 15 9 16 14 16 12 16 10 7 4 15 11 16 16 3 13 1
Average 576 944 8.0 81.0 253 616 194 6.4 13.2 6.0 0.17 0.06 307 14.6 120 0.92 2.0 71.8 0.07
Maximum 1,102 5,600 9.0 142 692 3,480 1,200 16.0 50.0 18.6 1.0 0.14 790 89.0 1,260 4.7 3.0 856 0.07
Minimum 153 320 7.0 16.0 120 200 38.6 2.0 2.0 0.10 0.01 0.01 145 2.0 27.2 0.10 1.0 2.0 0.07
Birkhead Formation
Total number 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Number of tests 1 4 4 4 4 2 4 1 4 4 1 1 4 2 4 4 0 4 0
Average 256 695 8.0 72.8 283 432 143 5.0 20.0 5.5 0.01 0.05 330 15.0 62.8 0.24 -- 16.5 --
Maximum 256 715 8.0 92.0 300 453 152 5.0 24.0 9.0 0.01 0.05 342 29.0 76.0 0.30 ND 19.0 --
Minimum 256 640 8.0 56.0 272 410 125 5.0 14.0 1.0 0.01 0.05 307 1.0 51.0 0.10 ND 14.0 --
undifferentiated Injune Creek Group
Total number 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37
Number of tests 18 33 36 22 37 34 37 16 36 32 11 3 33 25 37 37 4 30 2
Average 600 1,035 8.1 52.1 400 619 245 3.6 8.0 4.1 0.04 0.07 453 61.2 106 2.7 3.5 15.4 0.01
Maximum 1,099 2,560 9.0 189 960 1,554 636 19.0 36.0 24.0 0.12 0.19 1,067 528 288 10.0 8.0 120 0.01
Minimum 183 330 8.0 11.0 112 206 56.0 1.0 1.4 0.10 0.01 0.01 137 1.0 28.5 0.10 1.0 1.4 0.01
Ronlow Beds
Total number 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93 93
Number of tests 65 82 84 53 92 79 93 48 92 74 37 25 80 52 93 90 10 62 10
Average 195 909 7.8 233 171 632 330 5.3 36.8 13.5 1.6 0.02 203 26.8 438 0.51 1.9 95.8 0.04
Maximum 594 12,400 9.0 4,848 621 8,403 11,078 32.0 1,706 457 55.0 0.13 580 372 18,630 2.0 5.0 2,337 0.22
Minimum 23.0 300 6.0 11.0 31.0 160 59.0 ND 0.50 0.10 0.01 0.01 60.0 1.0 24.9 0.05 1.0 0.80 0.01
Hutton Sandstone
Total number 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341 341
Number of tests 217 319 330 271 340 313 341 212 338 283 132 134 318 231 341 329 17 252 54
Average 674 633 8.0 70.2 259 386 137 8.1 13.2 6.9 0.15 0.05 303 22.4 68.5 0.91 2.4 10.2 0.03
Maximum 1,550 2,820 9.0 913 4,147 1,648 2,159 35.0 156 127 1.6 0.22 4,533 409 2,540 10.0 10.0 255 0.28
Minimum 2.0 260 6.0 10.0 13.0 18.5 5.7 ND 0.10 0.10 0.01 0.01 109 1.0 1.6 0.01 1.0 0.30 0.01
Precipice Sandstone
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Value -- 434 8.0 17.0 151 266 77.0 18.0 4.1 1.5 0.47 -- 182 1.0 44.0 0.60 1.0 5.2 0.03
Galilee Basin Sequence
Warang Sandstone
Total number 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Number of tests 1 3 3 3 3 1 3 2 3 3 0 1 3 1 3 3 0 2 0
Average 875 645 8.0 201 240 363 55.7 16.0 49.2 18.9 -- 0.02 292 1.0 63.0 0.80 -- 10.2 --
Maximum 875 680 8.0 221 265 363 59.0 16.0 62.0 26.0 ND 0.02 323 1.0 65.0 0.85 ND 11.0 ND
Minimum 875 590 8.0 187 225 363 51.0 16.0 32.0 14.6 ND 0.02 274 1.0 60.0 0.74 ND 9.4 ND
Moolayember Formation
Total number 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15
Number of tests 9 15 15 15 12 15 15 7 15 15 4 6 12 2 15 15 2 15 6
Average 237 17,549 6.9 3,100 105 12,904 3,694 133 356 538 9.2 9.5 120 21.0 6,884 0.44 214 1,263 0.26
Maximum 861 61,700 8.0 12,157 273 47,320 13,280 242 1,340 2,144 32.0 19.2 333 24.0 25,301 1.2 424 5,398 0.74
Minimum 92.0 378 4.0 84.0 20.0 229 29.1 14.0 10.0 7.2 0.06 0.05 3.0 18.0 27.1 0.01 4.0 7.4 0.03
Clematis Sandstone
Total number 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35
Number of tests 24 28 29 31 35 31 35 23 35 35 11 14 29 17 35 34 8 32 9
Average 220 1,622 7.8 535 113 1,895 652 15.2 90.0 60.6 1.1 0.09 130 30.9 1,127 0.38 2.1 218 0.09
Maximum 1,352 11,660 9.0 3,268 356 19,195 6,010 76.0 625 448 12.0 0.22 293 213 9,614 1.4 5.0 2,340 0.30
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 85
Basin Aquifer Formation Statistic
Dep
th o
f Sam
ple
(m b
GL)
Con
duct
ivity
(µ
S/c
m)
pH
Har
dnes
s (m
g/L
Ca)
Alk
alin
ity
(mg/
L)
Tota
l Dis
solv
ed
Sol
ids
(mg/
L)
Sod
ium
(m
g/L)
Pot
assi
um
(mg/
L)
Cal
cium
(m
g/L)
Mag
nesi
um
(mg/
L)
Iron
(mg/
L)
Man
gane
se
(mg/
L)
Bic
arbo
nate
(m
g/L)
Car
bona
te
(mg/
L)
Chl
orid
e (m
g/L)
Fluo
ride
(mg/
L)
Nitr
ate
(mg/
L)
Sul
phat
e (m
g/L)
Zinc
(m
g/L)
Minimum 25.0 200 6.0 16.0 16.0 102 30.0 4.0 0.10 0.10 0.01 0.01 19.0 1.0 33.0 0.05 1.0 0.10 0.03
Dunda Beds
Total number 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Number of tests 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 1 4 0 4 4 1 3 0
Average 96.0 494 7.0 29.0 42.8 285 88.5 3.3 3.3 5.0 0.51 0.06 52.0 -- 122 0.15 4.0 17.8 --
Maximum 104 720 8.0 38.0 90.0 434 145 4.0 6.0 5.6 1.0 0.06 110 ND 175 0.20 4.0 22.5 --
Minimum 84.0 200 6.0 16.0 20.0 107 32.0 2.0 0.50 3.7 0.02 0.06 24.0 ND 56.0 0.10 4.0 11.0 --
Rewan Formation
Total number 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Number of tests 4 5 5 5 5 4 5 2 5 5 1 0 5 0 5 4 0 5 0
Average 78.3 2,856 7.4 315 129 1,786 486 34.5 37.7 53.6 12.0 -- 157 -- 677 0.34 -- 127 --
Maximum 92.0 11,900 8.0 1,388 255 6,036 1,980 51.0 160 240 12.0 -- 311 ND 2,900 0.60 ND 590 --
Minimum 58.0 438 7.0 26.0 15.0 249 66.0 18.0 4.0 3.0 12.0 -- 18.0 ND 80.0 0.10 ND 1.0 --
Betts Creek Beds
Total number 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Number of tests 3 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 1 0 3 1 3 2 0 0 1
Average 449 621 8.5 26.5 87.0 990 188 1.5 6.4 1.7 0.01 -- 302 7.0 124 5.6 -- -- 4.1
Maximum 1,095 671 9.0 43.0 90.0 1,620 324 2.0 12.0 3.2 0.01 ND 708 7.0 151 6.3 ND ND 4.1
Minimum 126 570 8.0 10.0 84.0 360 106 1.0 3.2 0.20 0.01 ND 95.6 7.0 100 4.9 ND ND 4.1
Colinlea Sandstone
Total number 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11
Number of tests 6 5 8 11 11 11 11 5 10 9 5 5 8 5 11 5 5 8 0
Average 1,282 1,789 7.8 114 264 3,389 334 4.6 32.6 11.9 0.29 0.05 207 1.0 409 1.4 1.0 20.9 --
Maximum 1,543 3,113 8.2 580 900 24,790 600 6.0 152 48.0 0.59 0.10 500 1.0 828 2.4 1.0 58.0 --
Minimum 742 1,122 7.0 25.0 84.0 675 180 3.0 7.0 3.0 0.05 0.04 101 1.0 146 0.60 1.0 1.0 --
Blackwater Group
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0
Value 32.0 660 7.0 158 106 -- 76.0 -- 22.0 25.0 -- -- 129 -- 129 0.20 18.0 19.0 --
Jochmus Formation
Total number 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Number of tests 4 1 4 3 3 3 3 0 3 3 0 0 3 0 4 0 0 3 0
Average 1,461 1,800 8.3 70.0 257 843 293 -- 10.0 11.0 -- -- 313 -- 254 -- -- 82.3 --
Maximum 1,727 1,800 9.5 120 350 900 300 -- 12.0 22.0 -- -- 427 -- 300 -- -- 112 --
Minimum 1,364 1,800 7.7 40.0 200 809 280 -- 8.0 5.0 -- -- 244 -- 225 -- -- 60.0 --
Jericho Formation
Total number 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Number of tests 3 2 3 3 1 2 2 1 3 3 0 0 2 2 3 0 0 3 0
Average 1,630 4,100 8.7 743 160 4,600 515 34.0 210 53.0 -- -- 259 38.0 973 -- -- 63.0 --
Maximum 1,713 4,400 9.3 1,800 160 6,840 754 34.0 480 146 -- -- 342 66.0 1,500 -- -- 104 --
Minimum 1,588 3,800 8.3 80.0 160 2,360 275 34.0 17.0 4.0 -- -- 176 10.0 200 -- -- 25.0 --
Lake Galilee Sandstone
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
Value 2,738 -- 7.3 130 285 3,500 955 -- 50.0 -- -- -- 348 -- 1,305 -- -- 76.0 --
Joe Joe Group
Total number 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Number of tests 3 1 2 2 3 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 3 1 3 1 1 2 0
Average 894 8,000 7.9 563 313 2,308 648 14.0 127 120 0.04 0.13 380 2.0 993 0.40 3.0 162 --
Maximum 1,529 8,000 8.0 1,056 368 4,663 1,350 14.0 225 120 0.04 0.13 445 2.0 2,450 0.40 3.0 280 ND
Minimum 54.0 8,000 7.7 70.0 270 960 235 14.0 28.0 120 0.04 0.13 330 2.0 140 0.40 3.0 44.0 ND
undifferentiated Devonian
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Value 1,212 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 870 -- -- -- --
undifferentiated Carboniferous
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Value 1,877 -- 8.1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 340 -- -- -- --
undifferentiated aquifer
Total number 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233 1233
Number of tests 654 1139 1170 1022 1211 1048 1231 623 1204 1094 353 305 1127 595 1230 1174 172 1029 142
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 86
Basin Aquifer Formation Statistic
Dep
th o
f Sam
ple
(m b
GL)
Con
duct
ivity
(µ
S/c
m)
pH
Har
dnes
s (m
g/L
Ca)
Alk
alin
ity
(mg/
L)
Tota
l Dis
solv
ed
Sol
ids
(mg/
L)
Sod
ium
(m
g/L)
Pot
assi
um
(mg/
L)
Cal
cium
(m
g/L)
Mag
nesi
um
(mg/
L)
Iron
(mg/
L)
Man
gane
se
(mg/
L)
Bic
arbo
nate
(m
g/L)
Car
bona
te
(mg/
L)
Chl
orid
e (m
g/L)
Fluo
ride
(mg/
L)
Nitr
ate
(mg/
L)
Sul
phat
e (m
g/L)
Zinc
(m
g/L)
Average 338 1,821 7.8 260 257 1,168 421 9.8 46.5 28.6 0.59 0.16 304 30.7 519 0.85 12.7 136 0.13
Maximum 6,410 39,000 12.0 7,250 5,690 64,355 27,928 586 2,488 1,305 56.0 17.0 6,902 540 30,430 11.0 288 3,200 5.0
Minimum 4.0 103 3.0 11.0 11.0 49.6 5.1 ND 0.10 0.10 0.01 0.01 2.5 1.0 0.10 0.01 1.0 0.20 0.01
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 87
Basin Aquifer Formation Statistic
Dep
th o
f Sam
ple
(m b
GL)
Con
duct
ivity
(µ
S/c
m)
pH
Har
dnes
s (m
g/L
Ca)
Alk
alin
ity
(mg/
L)
Tota
l Dis
solv
ed
Sol
ids
(mg/
L)
Sod
ium
(m
g/L)
Pot
assi
um
(mg/
L)
Cal
cium
(m
g/L)
Mag
nesi
um
(mg/
L)
Iron
(mg/
L)
Man
gane
se
(mg/
L)
Bic
arbo
nate
(m
g/L)
Car
bona
te
(mg/
L)
Chl
orid
e (m
g/L)
Fluo
ride
(mg/
L)
Nitr
ate
(mg/
L)
Sul
phat
e (m
g/L)
Zinc
(m
g/L)
Eromanga Basin Sequence
Hooray Sandstone
Number of tests 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2
Average 937 1,775 8.7 34.5 795 1,185 435 5.2 11.5 1.4 0.80 0.18 895 38.8 83.9 3.7 1.6 68.3 1.2
Maximum 1,108 1,900 9.1 42.0 920 1,370 530 5.4 14.0 1.7 0.90 0.25 1,100 64.0 165 6.6 1.6 100 2.3
Minimum 766 1,650 8.2 27.0 670 1,000 340 4.9 9.0 1.1 0.70 0.11 690 13.5 2.8 0.70 1.6 36.5 0.06
Adori Sandstone
Number of tests 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1
Value 861 1,800 9.1 22.5 730 930 255 3.8 8.2 0.50 0.80 0.11 750 68.0 160 6.4 -- 28.5 0.21
Hutton Sandstone
Total number 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Number of tests 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0
Value 916 1,500 9.1 8.7 650 960 380 3.6 3.5 0.10 0.90 0.03 670 61.0 150 6.0 -- 2.0 --
Galilee Basin Sequence
Betts Creek Beds
Number of tests 17 18 15 15 17 19 19 19 19 19 7 7 19 3 19 2 5 18 5
Average 1,019 17,410 7.8 94.5 771 12,020 4,042 929 43.1 3.7 8.1 0.44 874 73.3 6,650 7.2 0.23 45.6 0.35
Maximum 1,141 90,100 9.2 362 1,256 57,664 23,550
14,900 284 18.0 35.0 1.7 1,177 182 37,93
5 8.0 0.60 164 0.87
Minimum 942 1,560 7.4 23.0 532 963 384 4.0 8.3 ND 0.36 0.02 191 10.0 129 6.4 0.08 2.9 0.02
Bandanna Formation
Number of tests 11 10 11 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 0 0 10 1 11 0 5 10 0
Average 1,168 4,979 7.8 139 869 3,011 1,040 18.7 26.2 17.6 -- -- 1,067 22.5 1,119 -- 0.80 15.9 --
Maximum 1,449 16,200 8.4 579 1,026 10,381 3,200 42 100 80 -- -- 1,252 22.5 5,158 -- 2.8 47 --
Minimum 820 1,820 6.9 20 795 1,088 387 2.0 6.7 0.70 -- -- 995 22.5 93.0 -- 0.10 2.9 --
Colinlea Sandstone or Jochmus Formation
Number of tests 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0
Value 1,463 565 6.7 39.0 176 312 120 8.4 11.0 2.8 -- -- 215 -- 60.0 -- 0.10 21.0 --
Aramac Coal Measures
Number of tests 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 0 0 3 0 3 0 0 3 0
Average 1,025 27,507 7.5 238 582 17,546 6,902 34.0 86.3 5.6 -- -- 717 -- 10,694 -- -- 42.2 --
Maximum 1,083 77,800 7.8 615 726 49,792 19,650 70.0 225 13.0 -- -- 908 -- 31,35
0 -- ND 113 --
Minimum 916 2,220 6.8 39.0 467 1,421 487 10.0 14.0 1.1 -- -- 571 -- 346 -- ND 3.1 --
Lake Galilee Sandstone
Number of tests 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Value 2,597 -- 8.0 64.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3,000 -- -- -- --
undifferentiated Permian
Number of tests 2 0 0 0 0 36 36 36 36 36 0 0 36 36 36 0 0 36 0
Average 1,176 -- -- -- -- 25,159 1,337 19,394 241 33.8 -- -- 929 190 15,83
8 -- -- 190 --
Maximum 1,176 -- -- -- -- 87,375 9,540 107,000 1,300 150 -- -- 3,740 2,810 91,00
0 -- -- 880 --
Minimum 1,176 -- -- -- -- 209 26.0 5.0 2.0 - -- -- 10.0 1.0 29.0 -- -- 0.50 --
undifferentiated aquifer
Number of tests 0 3 3 0 2 2 1 3 3 1 2 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 1
Average -- 805 8.5 -- 410 590 173 3.9 1.9 0.14 0.95 0.04 -- -- 62.5 -- -- -- 0.03
Maximum -- 930 9.0 -- 470 710 173 3.9 2.6 0.14 1.8 0.08 -- -- 75.0 -- -- ND 0.03
Minimum -- 714 8.2 -- 350 470 173 3.9 1.3 0.14 0.10 0.01 -- -- 50.0 -- -- ND 0.03
Table 6.6b Summary of groundwater quality data from drill stem tests by aquifer formation
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 88
7.0 QPED wells
There are 370 petroleum exploration wells recorded in QPED (2011) within the Galilee Basin study area (Figure 7.1, Table 7.1 and Table C.1). Fewer than 150 bores were drilled within a GBOF tenement. Six exploration wells were drilled in non-Galilee Basin sequences where a tenement overlaps into the adjoining basins (i.e. stratigraphic sequences). This general analysis of the QPED exploration wells is based on the data contained in the database, which was accessed in January 2011. The GBOF members have drilled more than 30 additional wells. However, the well completion reports for the recent wells have not yet been made public.
Table 7.1 Statistics for QPED wells in the Galilee Basin study area
Statistic Value Units Number of wells with any QPED records 370 wells
Number of wells on GBOF tenements(1) 131 wells
Number of wells with Queensland Government stratigraphic units recorded 186 wells
Number of wells with QPED drill stem test (DST) records 156 wells
Earliest recorded spud date (HNT Tambo 1, well id 798) 1922 year
Earliest recorded spud date on a GBOF tenement (QOD Langdale 1, well id 761) 1927 year
Number of wells with reported DST groundwater quality 28 wells
(1) Value does not include recent CSG wells
The basic statistics for these exploration wells are presented in Table 7.1. The analysis of the exploration wells focuses on those wells located on the GBOF tenements. However, there were very few groundwater quality samples available, so the groundwater quality analysis includes all of the readily available groundwater quality data for the entire Galilee Basin study area.
The first exploration well in the Galilee Basin study area was drilled in 1922 (Table 7.1). The deepest exploration well was PPC Log Creek 1 (well id 646) which penetrated to the underlying basement sequence at a depth of 4,440 m bKB (metres below kelly bushing). The deepest well drilled on a GBOF tenement was CAR Mogga 1 (well id 1260) which penetrated to a depth of 3,620 m bKB. The average exploration penetrated to a depth of 1,205 m bKB. The average exploration well drilled on a GBOF tenement penetrated to a depth of 1,167 m bKB.
Prior the 1990s, subsurface exploration was dominated by petroleum exploration wells and shallow to deep government stratigraphic wells. Since the early 1990s drilling has increasingly focused on CSG targets. Only a small number of exploration wells have been converted to water bores (Table 7.2). Converted wells are most commonly completed in the Cadna-owie / Hooray aquifers and the shallower water-bearing sediments in the Rolling Downs Group (QPED, 2011 and various well completion reports).
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 89
Figure 7.1 Map showing the location of the QPED wells in the Galilee Basin study area
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 90
Table 7.2 Type and Status of QPED wells in the Galilee Basin study area and on the GBOF tenements
Statistic Galilee Basin study
area GBOF Tenements Units
Value Value Drill date Oldest Date 1922 (well id 761) 1927 (well id 798) (year)
Well type(1)
CSG 53 45(2) (wells)
Petroleum 167 76 (wells)
Stratigraphic 150 10 (wells)
Well status
Plugged and abandoned 255 77 (wells)
Suspended and shut-in 27 23 (wells)
Completed as producer 4 0 (wells)
Converted to water bore 79 13 (wells)
Unknown 5 16 (wells)
Well depth statistics
Number of wells with depth data 338 131 (wells)
Average well depth 1,205 1,167 (m bKB)
Median well depth 1,138 1,130 (m bKB)
Deepest recorded well depth 4,440 (well id 646) 3,620 (well id 1260) (m bKB)
Shallowest recorded well depth(3) 12 (well id 2770) 45 (well id 1758) (m bKB)
(1) Results include wells in QPED only, recent CSG wells are not included. (2) Recent exploration wells not included in this total. (3) BMR Springsure 10 and BMR Longreach 5 respectively
DSTs have been conducted at 156 exploration wells in the Galilee Basin study area. Sixty-one final shut-in pressure data measurements could be obtained from 20 exploration wells on the GBOF tenements (Table 7.3 and Figure 7.2). Pressures have been measured in a wide range of formations. While measurements in the Permian age formations dominate, the final shut-in pressures were also recorded in the:
Hooray Sandstone;
Hutton Sandstone;
Colinlea Sandstone;
Joe Joe Group; and
Drummond Basin sequence.
The shut-in pressure data were collected from depths that range from 636 to 2,739 m bGL and average 1,279 m bGL. The final shut-in pressures ranged from 971 psia to 3,800 psia and average 1,675 psia. One extremely low-pressure value was returned. However, this value likely represents a failed test. Analysis of the final shut-in pressure values return equivalent water levels that range from 1,648 to 87 m aGL and average 101 m bGL.
Twenty-three of the DSTs yielded equivalent groundwater levels above the ground surface. Only two of the remaining equivalent groundwater levels did not indicate significant subartesian pressure.
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 91
Table 7.3 Available final shut-in pressure data for GBOF tenement exploration wells
QPED well
number
DERM bore registration
number Tenement Number
QPED well Name Geological formation DST #
Top Depth m bKB
Bottom Depth m bKB
Final shut-in pressure
(psia)
Groundwater level
(m bGL) (1) 50034 984 Aberfoyle 1 Bandanna Formation 1 1,444 1,449 2,073 -13 50034 984 Aberfoyle 1 Bandanna Formation 2 1,400 1,410 2,020 -20 50034 984 Aberfoyle 1 Bandanna Formation 3 1,386 1,398 1,989 -12 50034 984 Aberfoyle 1 Bandanna Formation 4 1,399 1,410 2,018 -20 50034 984 Aberfoyle 1 Bandanna Formation 5 1,444 1,449 2,070 -11 742 22799 667 Aramac 1 Joe Joe Group (Jericho Formation) 1 1,713 1,823 2,536 -70
1085 23652 999 Burgamoo 1 Injune Creek Group Birkhead Formation 1 1,556 1,573 2,202 8
50066 744 Carmichael 1 Joe Joe Group (Jochmus Formation) 1 1,296 1,306 1,809 24 610 22658 1008 Coreena 1 Colinlea Sandstone 1 2,418 2,465 1,095 -33 610 22658 1008 Coreena 1 Joe Joe Group 3 1,378 1,445 2,062 -72 1388 23237 999 Corona 1 Hutton Sandstone 1 1,025 1,067 1,106 247 50078 529 Crossmore 1 Aramac Coal Measures 2 916 931 1,353 -35 50078 529 Crossmore 1 Bandanna Formation 3 873 881 1,234 5 50078 529 Crossmore 1 Bandanna Formation 4 847 856 1,244 -28 50078 529 Crossmore 1 Bandanna Formation 5 826 836 1,189 -10 50078 529 Crossmore 1 Bandanna Formation 6 820 825 1,197 -22 50079 529 Crossmore 2 Aramac Coal Measures 1 918 927 1,364 -41 50079 529 Crossmore 2 Aramac Coal Measures 2 918 927 1,243 44 50113 100185 1015 Fleetwood 1 Moolayember Formation 1 1,110 1,148 1,535 31 50113 100185 1015 Fleetwood 1 Moolayember Formation 1,110 1,237 1,534 31 421 668 Jericho 1 Basement (Ducabrook Formation) 1 1,703 1,733 2,297 88 421 668 Jericho 1 Basement (Ducabrook Formation) 1 1,703 1,733 2,210 149 421 668 Jericho 1 Basement (Ducabrook Formation) 3 2,593 2,633 3,452 166 421 668 Jericho 1 Joe Joe Group 2 1,643 1,652 2,159 125 772 22367 744 Lake Galilee 1 undifferentiated Early Permian 5 2,645 2,668 3,200 396 772 22367 744 Lake Galilee 1 undifferentiated Early Permian 8 2,739 2,768 3,800 67 772 22367 744 Lake Galilee 1 undifferentiated Late Permian 2 1,010 1,052 1,410 19 621 22319 1008 Marchmont 1 Colinlea Sandstone 2 (2) 1,346 1,364 17 1,334 621 22319 1008 Marchmont 1 undifferentiated Late Permian 1 1,287 1,323 983 596
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 92
QPED well
number
DERM bore registration
number Tenement Number
QPED well Name Geological formation DST #
Top Depth m bKB
Bottom Depth m bKB
Final shut-in pressure
(psia)
Groundwater level
(m bGL) (1) 1260 23248 1010 Mogga 1 Basement (Bulliwallah Formation) 1 636 644 1,005 -70 744 22688 529 Muttaburra 1 undifferentiated Early Permian 1 1,391 1,390 2,051 -51 622 22687 529 Rand 1 undifferentiated Carboniferous 2 1,873 1,883 2,307 251 622 22687 529 Rand 1 Joe Joe Group 4 1,718 1,725 2,148 208 50193 529 Rodney Creek 1 Betts Creek beds 1 975 995 1,465 -55 50193 529 Rodney Creek 1 Betts Creek beds 2 1,041 1,054 1,550 -49 50193 529 Rodney Creek 1 Betts Creek beds 4 1,055 1,072 1,571 -50 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Aramac Coal Measures 1 1,077 1,083 1,598 -47 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Aramac Coal Measures 10 1,057 1,077 1,550 -33 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 2 1,034 1,039 1,546 -53 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 3 1,025 1,029 1,521 -44 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 4 1,010 1,013 1,490 -38 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 5 999 1,003 1,473 -37 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 6 931 942 1,383 -41 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 7 953 977 1,405 -35 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 8 1,018 1,023 1,501 -37 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 9 1,025 1,029 1,505 -33 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 11 991 1,026 1,464 -38 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 12 931 942 1,395 -50 50194 529 Rodney Creek 2 Betts Creek beds 13 999 1,003 1,504 -59 1435 23489 999 Silsoe 1 Hooray Sandstone 1a 1,342 1,344 971 659 1435 23489 999 Silsoe 1 Hooray Sandstone 2 1,337 1,344 1,043 604 745 22595 529 Thunderbolt 1 undifferentiated Late C to Early P 3 1,364 1,404 1,868 51 745 22595 529 Thunderbolt 1 undifferentiated Late C to Early P 4 1,588 1,596 1,853 286 745 22595 529 Thunderbolt 1 undifferentiated Late Permian 1 885 915 1,293 -24 1376 23333 999 Toobrac 1 Hooray Sandstone 1 810 817 1,276 -87 1376 23333 999 Toobrac 1 Hutton Sandstone 2 1,100 1,106 1,673 -77
(1) Negative values represent groundwater level above the ground surface. (2) Failed test
Galilee Basin Report on the Hydrogeological Investigations
PR102603-1; Rev 1 / December 2012 Page 93
Figure 7.2 Map showing the location of QPED wells with final shut-in pressures
