No, it doesn't exclude the possibility of oil in the block, far from it. In fact the oil window is also the ideal CSG window, in terms of vitrinite reflectance values.
Plus if it's a CSG target on the edge of the basin it will likely be higher rank in the depths of the basin.
One thing to keep in mind is that coal suggests this was an onshore basin, at least partially, during its formation. Onshore basins are generally less prospective for oil and more gas prone due to the type of organic matter involved. Marine shales are, generally speaking, more oil prone.
However again, that doesn't rule out there being marine shales in the basin too, as the sea levels rise and fall over time. And even coals and other terrestrial sediments can produce oil as well, as they do in the Surat Basin in Qld. However generally the coal-rich Permian basins like the Cooper and the Bowen in Australia are more gas-prone. This basin, as a Permian basin, is probably related to the Cooper and Bowen from the days of Pangaea, when Africa, Australia and Antarctica were all connected. So it's probably quite similar in terms of rock types.
JKA Price at posting:
7.1¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
