A number of public airborne electromagnetic (AEM) datasets are available in the Southern Canning Basin, including the West Canning Basin - Sandfire, Lagrange, Paterson North and more recent AusAEM TEMPEST surveys. AEM surveys in the area have been flown for hydrogeological mapping, general geological mapping and mineral exploration. Numerous deep petroleum wells and seismic lines are available, which provide very useful constraints on interpretation of the AEM data at depth. The environment is sometimes very favourable for AEM, with extensive flatlying sediments and regional conductive horizons such as the Jarlemai Siltstone and the Upper Permian unconformity which are good electromagnetic targets. Reliable depths of investigation in excess of 500 m are possible with AEM in places, where extensive conductive horizons such as the Upper Permian are overlain by poorly to moderatelyconductive sediments. The electromagnetic data provides an excellent image of the upper few hundred metres of the earth, and is complementary to the seismic data which often provides limited information within this depth range.

Open-Access Online Publication: May 31, 2023