Research Groups - CSIRO Exploration & Mining
CSIRO Exploration and Mining
Computational Geoscience
Dr Alison ORD
Peter HORNBY
Paul RobertsThis group is developing technologies for numerically simulating and visualising geology and earth processes to aid the Australian resources industry discover and extract mineral resources.
Giant Ore Deposits
John WALSHE
Giant ore Deposits (GODs) research is developing models of resource formation that will promote the effective selection and evaluation of large areas of the Earth's crust for high quality resources.
Magmatic Ore Deposits (MOD)
ResearchDr Robin HILL
The Magmatic Ore Deposits Research group is a multi-disciplinary commodity-focused group of petrologists, geochemists, volcanologists and field geologists developing a detailed knowledge of the processes which produced known 'quality' magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE (Cr, V, Ti, etc) ore deposits and their host provinces, in order to establish criteria that will enable these provinces to be recognised elsewhere, and their contained orebodies to be located, evaluated, delineated and exploited efficiently.
MOD - Analytical
TBA
Members of the Magmatic Ore Deposits Analytical Group develop and apply applications in X-Ray and Electron Beam technology to mineral identification and analysis, and the major, minor and trace element analyses at macro and micro scale of materials.
MOD - Sample Preparation
Ray BILZ
This group prepare rock samples for subsequent analysis. Techniques include diamond sawing of samples for macroscale and microscale studies, epoxy impregnation of unconsolidated soils and rocks, preparation of thin sections and polished sections for petrographic study, wet preparation and specialised crushing and grinding of samples.
Regolith and Environmental
GeoscienceCharles BUTT
Staff in this group have expertise dominantly in geology, geochemistry, soil science, mineralogy and remote sensing. Their research focuses on mineral exploration and environmental issues related to the widespread cover of deep weathering and sedimentary overburden (the regolith) present over much of Australia. Current projects address exploration geochemistry, regolith and landscape evolution, regolith geology, mapping dryland salinity and environmental issues associated with mining.
Much of this research is carried out in collaboration with the Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration (CRC LEME), with activities in WA, SA, NSW and Victoria. Outcomes include improved methods of mineral exploration, assessing environmental impacts of mining and monitoring rehabilitation.
Regolith Geoscience
(LEME Research)Ravi ANAND
This program forms the foundations for the other three applications programs through research into the fundamental controls on the formation of Australian regolith and the chemical processes there within. These controls are still poorly understood.
Research issues include:
- the effects of geomorphic change on residual and sedimentary regolith
- 3-D distribution and processes of regolith formation
- application of regolith processes to environmental issues and salinity mapping
- chemical, biological, mechanical and gaseous processes of geochemical dispersion
- numerical modelling of hydrogeological processes and chemical dispersion
- the influence of regolith on geophysical signatures from buried mineralisation
Mineral Exploration in Areas of Cover (LEME Research)
TBA
Program 2 of CRC LEME aims to produce new and improved techniques for mineral exploration in areas of Australia where post-mineral cover rocks make conventional exploration procedures difficult or impossible to apply.
CRC LEME HQ
Ray SMITH
CRC LEME (Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration) is a geoscience research centre and the headquarters for a number of Australia-wide cooperative research groups. It is dedicated to developing breakthroughs in mineral exploration and environmental management through knowledge of Australia's regolith.
Mineral Mapping
TechnologiesErick Ramanaidou
The group is involved in developing spectral sensing techniques (field, airborne and spaceborne, methods software and hardware) for mineral exploration and mining as well as mine site monitoring and rehabilitation. The Perth Mineral Mapping Technologies Group at ARRC focuses on iron ore research.
Interactive Virtual Environments
Centre (IVEC)Rod THIELE
IVEC is an unincorporated joint venture of Central TAFE, CSIRO, Curtin University of Technology and the University of Western Australia with CSIRO as centre agent. A Partner in the Australian Partnership for Advanced Computing, IVEC seeks to enhance the uptake of high performance computing and visualisation through a focus on the application of Interactive Virtual Environments into major industries.
Visit the IVEC web site for more information.
For more research information visit the CSIRO Exploration and Mining website.
CSIRO Petroleum
NMR and Isotope Chemistry
Joe HAMILTON
Using industry samples the NMR is used for measuring petrophysical properties of rocks for the purpose of reservoir characterization. Isotope Chemistry is used for determining the age of mineral formation and of fluid flow events in petroliferous basins.
Decision Systems
Alistair FLETCHER
The group is developing new methods for decision-making under uncertainty using novel approaches that combine quantitative and qualitative methods. Decisions involve consideration of technical, economic, environmental, political and commercial risk and are fundamental to business.
Geophysics
Kevin DODDS
The group is building the capability to address reservoir processes imaged in geophysical data, both surface and borehole. This is from the perspective of physical theory, experimental and process modelling. Current research includes theoretical studies in poroelastic and viscoelastic behaviour, numerical modelling of elastic wave and electromagnetic responses and analog modelling of reservoir properties.
These skills are integrated into the current pore pressure prediction research program. The group has strong links to Curtin University of Technology's Department of Exploration Geophysics through the joint appointment of a research professor in petroleum geophysics.
Fluid History of Petroleum Reservoirs
Peter Eadington
Reservoir palaeo-fluids and current fluid in exploration and appraisal. Developing understanding of the behaviour of oil and gas during secondary migration from source to trap and with the reservoir. Detect palaeo oil columns and oil migration pathways.
Faults, Seals and Basin Hydrodynamics
Claus OTTO
Develop techniques and methodology to appraise the historical and temporal fluid conductance of faults and formations which impact on seal integrity, reservoir compartmentalisation, migration pathways and pore pressure prediction.
Enhance prediction of fault seal integrity to enable pre-drill both directly and through integration with multi-disciplinary datasets such as hydrodynamics, seepage detection, stress, field analysis, geomechanical experiments and conventional fault seal analysis.Further information at http://www.clw.csiro.au/research/catchment/hydrodynamics/.
Drilling and Completions
Edson NAKAGAWA
Activities in this group are targeted at the reduction of drilling costs through the development and use of tools for knowledge preservation and retrieval, modelling and simulation of drilling and completions processes and evaluation of operational risks based on the understanding of complex interactions among processes that make up the drilling, completions and workover operations. The Group has developed a strong position in knowledge management.
Drilling Fluids and Wellbore
MechanicsChee TAN
The group focuses on drilling fluid design, development and optimisation, wellbore stability, waste management, sand production and petroleum-related geomechanics to mitigate non-hardware related problems associated with drilling, completion and production.
Predictive Geoscience
Cedric GRIFFITHS
The team is developing and applying forward numerical models which simulate the process of sedimentary deposition. This modelling helps geoscientists and engineers to understand the location of stratigraphic traps and predict reservoir quality.
For more research information, visit the CSIRO Petroleum web site.
CSIRO Petroleum Research Groups
Research Groups
Curtin University of Technology
Exploration Geophysics
Norm UREN
The Department of Exploration Geophysics, which includes the Centre of Excellence for Exploration and Production Geophysics, specialises in training geophysical experts and conducting geophysical research for the Petroleum and Mineral industries. It is also involved in teaching and research in the application of geophysical technology to environmental studies and agricultural issues.
For more research information, visit the Department of Exploration Geophysics web site.
Petroleum Engineering
Raj RAJESWARAN
Specialising in sub-surface petroleum reservoir development and production.
For more research information, visit the Curtin Petroleum Engineering web site.
Petroleum Geology
Mike MIDDLETON
A group of four professional staff engaged in teaching and research in the field of Petroleum Geology. Curtin Petroleum Geology also has approximately 22 Honours and Postgraduate students enrolled for 2002 and offers a broad spectrum of courses which cover all aspects of Petroleum Geology. Research is being carried out in the specialist fields of formation evaluation, basin analysis and modelling and biostratigraphy.
For more research information, visit the Centre of Excellence in Petroleum Geology web site.
Research Groups
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