Organic geochemistry and novel isotopic approaches of fluvial-deltaic petroleum systems

Abstract

This thesis re-evaluates the history of fossil fuels in the Dampier sub-Basin, North West Shelf of Australia, from the stage of deposition of land plant debris. It then identifies potential source rock signatures from organic-inorganic interactions during diagenesis (including compounds such as sesquiterpanes and benzonaphthofurans), and explores future perspectives in fluid screening using novel site-specific isotopic parameters for light hydrocarbons. The approaches described herein can be applied to similar petroleum systems worldwide.