The Esso-Hematite Mackerel oil field in the Gippsland basin, Australia, is in a high-quality Paleocene sandstone section and has been delineated by four exploratory wells.

A predevelopment stratigraphic model of the field was constructed from detailed analysis of high-quality seismic data. Although the sandstone section initially appeared to be massive and homogeneous, seismic data quality was sufficient to separate 11 discrete depositional units, each with an apparent marine progradational character. The boundaries of these seismic units were then tied back to minor variations in log and core lithologic characteristics, providing facies and depth control for the model.

It was possible, therefore, to construct a detailed geologic picture--with emphasis on the vertical and lateral extent of facies distribution. petrographic character, and reservoir properties--in a section which initially appeared to be generally ambiguous in its stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental position in the depositional framework of the surrounding area.

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