Publications

Basin and petroleum system modeling is one of the most powerful tools to understand the implication of basin evolution to the hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation. The modelling can reduce the risk in oil and gas exploration especially in the frontier area such as in the offshore Tanimbar region. To build a geologically plausible model of petroleum system in this region, tectonic development history integrated with source rock evaluation is the key factor to understand the hydrocarbon distribution. 1D basin modelling in several key locations was performed to understand the maturity history throughout the study area. The study area is located in the offshore Tanimbar region and Northern Bonaparte Basin. The basin has a complex development history since the Mesozoic rift system followed by the Late Neogene collision between Banda Arc and Australian margin. The oil and gas occurrences in the Southern Banda Outer Arc on the Australian passive margin indicates the presence of another petroleum province, although the Northern Bonaparte Basin is considered as a mature gas prone petroleum province such as Abadi, Sunrise-Troubadour and Lynedoch gas fields. This paper illustrates the contribution of Masela Deep and Malita Graben kitchens for Abadi gas field, in contrast, offshore Tanimbar region mostly charged by the potential northern kitchen. The differences of hydrocarbon province between both areas are considered to be explained according to differences in thermal history and thrust fault activity through the Late Mesozoic to the Quaternary as well as variation of source rock type. Although uncertainties are remaining to be considered since the area is frontier and its complicated tectonic development history, the study implies the not well known play in Banda Outer Arc. Keywords: Banda Arc, Basin Modeling, Tectonic, Tanimbar