Standardized Data
The AUSTRALIS® Geological Database is MGPalaeo’s quality-controlled stratigraphic dataset covering nearly 3,000 Australian wells using a single consistent zonation scheme.
The datasets are fully standardised and delivered in formats that can be directly ingested into AI and machine‑learning workflows, providing clean, consistent inputs for advanced modelling.
To build accurate geological models, accurate, quality-controlled, and consistent geological data that you can trust is a vital component – and this is only available from MGPalaeo’s AUSTRALIS database.
Consistent stratigraphy
Standardised palynological and stratigraphic interpretations across thousands of wells.
Flexible data access
Data available at multiple scales, from individual wells to basin-wide datasets, and from single datasets to fully integrated packages.
Integrated datasets
Combines palynology, lithostratigraphy, and supporting geological data.
Comprehensive well coverage
Extensive regional coverage across major onshore and offshore Australian basins.
Our Point of Difference
While there is a wealth of geological data freely available through government websites (e.g. Geoscience Australia, WAPIMS/NOPIMS, etc.), the AUSTRALIS geological database is the only quality-controlled database containing consistent, fully-reviewed and reinterpreted palynological and lithostratigraphical data, edited wireline logs, and detailed sequence stratigraphic frameworks for all wells from spud depth to TD.
Central to our database, and one of its key advantages that separates it from all other databases, is the strength of the biostratigraphy, a cornerstone to any sound geological model.
All available open-file palynological data for every well has been internally reviewed by our team of experienced palynologists, and updated to one consistent zonation scheme, MGP2014.
This means there is consistency right across the board with naming conventions, zonal picks, and palaeoenvironmental interpretations.
Available Datasets
MGPalaeo maintains a range of curated geological datasets, including palynological, lithostratigraphic, sequence stratigraphic, and wireline log data. Additional datasets are also available to support specific project needs.
Palynology
All Palynological data has been reviewed and updated to one consistent zonation scheme.
Lithostratigraphy
Maintained the formations everyone knows from different basins but ensured consistent nomenclature.
Sequence Stratigraphy
Two schemes available: Marshall & Lang (2013), and Carnarvon Petroleum (based on the Santos nomenclature).
Wireline Logs
A full suite of merged log files, allowing for easy use in seismic interpretations and geological correlations.
The Great Artesian Basin
From 2019-2022, MGPalaeo helped build a comprehensive geological database as part of Geoscience Australia’s Assessing the Status of Groundwater in the Great Artesian Basin project, reviewing and updating all open file palynological data for hundreds of wells across the Surat, Eromanga, and Galilee basins.
This well data is available for free in our database.
Palynological summary sheets have been compiled for almost 1400 wells that would best improve the understanding of distribution and characteristics of Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments across the Eromanga/Galilee/Surat basins region.
Data was drawn from open file well completion reports, palynological reports, and academic theses and papers.
All palynological data was updated to one consistent zonation scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Open file biostratigraphic data is often a mix of vintage reports, some dating back to the 1950s and typically utilizing outdated zonation schemes, or is a mix of inhouse and industry schemes that creates more confusion than stratigraphic clarity.
For example, does your palynological dataset still contain the R. aemula Zone? Issues correlating this zone across the North West Shelf resulted in it being superseded by the C. ancorum, V. tabulata, and T. balmei zones almost a decade ago! …yet it still remains in many databases.
How about the also-defunct A. cinctum, C. halosa, and W. digitata zones? Continuing with these outdated zones (all replaced for good reasons) usually results in miscorrelations. The raw data should always be reinterpreted to the latest zonal schemes to ensure consistent recognition of these key biostratigraphic zones.
It’s the same situation in the Otway Basin, where a number of different zonation schemes have been used, further complicated by the fact that the zonal names have remained largely unchanged but the definitions of these zones have evolved. In addition, two high resolution schemes have been used in recent years, developed over different fields in the region.
These biozone inconsistencies lead to limits on the resolution achievable from the open-source biostratigraphic data. This in turn leads to limits on the resolution of any sequence stratigraphic framework that may be built using this current data, and more crucially, results in erroneous geological modelling.
To build an accurate geological model centred on a robust sequence stratigraphic framework, accurate, quality-controlled, and consistent palynological data is a vital component – and this is not available from the open file datasets.
Simply put, you can’t correlate oranges with apples.
The other benefit to the AUSTRALIS database is that we have been able to provide greater zonal resolution from a lot of open file interpretations, simply because the subzonal resolution hadn’t been developed at the time of analysis.
Even open file reports by the same analyst can benefit from a review, and we have revised many well interpretations using log profiles and offset well data, all of which allows us to see results more consistently.
Similar issues arise from inconsistent lithostratigraphic nomenclature. A single sedimentary unit may have multiple names, or even more confusingly, the same name may be applied to different definitions of that stratal package! As such, without any kind of consistency in terminology or definition, no accurate correlations between wells, or on a basin-wide scale, can be made without first updating your lithostratigraphic library.or on a basin-wide scale, can be made without first updating the data.
Pricing of our AUSTRALIS database is dependent on the wells and data types you require. Rather than having to purchase the database in its entirety, or specific subsets put together by MGPalaeo, you are in full control of exactly what wells and data types you need.
For example, you could purchase just the palynological data and sequence stratigraphic picks from all wells starting with B from the entire North West Shelf if you wish, and we would provide a price just for those datasets.
We also offer discounted rates for the more wells/datasets that are purchased.
Lithostratigraphic interpretations are carried out by plotting our biostratigraphic dataset against the well logs. Consistency is achieved by comparing each well to numerous offset wells. Our team’s regional understanding, and visual observations in the core shed, also aids in our refinements.
The AUSTRALIS geological database contains regional play intervals and sequence stratigraphic picks based on the published Woodside scheme after Marshall & Lang (2013), and a modified Carnarvon Petroleum scheme (based on the Santos scheme). All the interpretations have been carried out by MGPalaeo stratigraphers utilizing our updated biostratigraphic data.
Wireline logs include both edited and unedited gamma ray, sonic, density, neutron porosity, and resistivity. These logs are provided in .las format.
The edited logs attempt to provide a consistent dataset for geological and geophysical studies. Editing includes validating the digital logs vs scanned images, splicing, removing any casing affect and bad reading, despiking, renaming logs to unique nomenclatures, and depth matching.
Where available, we have attempted to put together a set containing GR, DT, CALI, RHOB, DRHO, NPHI, deep, med and shallow resistivity. The aim here was to simplify making correlations, synthetic seismograms, well displays on 3D visualization, etc.
For petrophysical use, you would still require the raw data, which is what is usually available on NOPIMS. Some logs, such as shear sonic, PR, etc., have also been loaded but are unedited.
With any database purchase, we include full support for 12 months (maintenance), so if there are any new datasets, or revisions to the interpretations during this time, we will provide these to you free of charge. We will also have a dedicated stratigrapher that will investigate any queries you have regarding the data, and work with you to ensure the best quality data possible.
This maintenance can be continued after the initial 12-month period for a small subscription fee; this fee varies depending upon the number of wells originally purchased. It is entirely optional though, and if you choose not to continue with the subscription, you just won’t get further updates.
The History Behind AUSTRALIS
Originally commissioned by Carnarvon Petroleum over a 12 month period between 2016-2017, this ground-breaking database was to provide the latest interpretation of all available open-file stratigraphical data from all exploration wells across the Carnarvon, Roebuck, Browse, and Bonaparte Basins.
Management at Carnarvon Petroleum saw the advantages the larger oil companies gained from a comprehensive well database. Having confidence in their well data, in particular the sequence and lithostratigraphic picks, meant they could move quickly on seismic interpretations while a good understanding of the regional geology helped to evaluate plays and prospects. As consultant biostratigraphers, MGPalaeo also saw the advantages of having our own database.
This has allowed us to refine biostratigraphic zonations by understanding the impacts of facies, biostratigraphic surfaces of regional significance, and identify areas which would benefit from review and infill.