FrOG Tech integrates traditional hydrogeological knowledge with technologies developed in the petroleum and mineral exploration sectors such as basin modelling, reservoir modelling, seismic facies mapping, structural mapping from non-seismic datasets, and 3D visualisation to build a better understanding of deep groundwater systems.
Groundwater movement and storage is controlled by aquifer geometry and lithology, as well as the presence of faulting and fracturing. A complete knowledge of basin geometry is particularly useful in predicting characteristics away from control and in greenfields areas.
Rather than just focusing only on the shallowest aquifers, FrOG Tech understands that water supplies can often be found at 1000 metres depth or more. In addition, a bottom-up, 3D structural model helps to clarify the importance of hard rock terranes in groundwater recharge, transport and compartmentalisation.
In its simplest form the FrOG Tech approach/products consists of the following:
- Define the geologic framework for sedimentary basins and bedrock terranes;
- Estimate porosity, permeability (and other characteristics) for each aquifer;
- Map the geological extent of the aquifer including properties;
- Estimate total volume of water storage by aquifer plus potentiometric surface and salinity;
- Build a conceptual model for each groundwater system including recharge, storage and discharge components;
- Assign risk to all components of each groundwater system and apply risk and probability estimates for each system; and
- Undertake a numerical assessment of the groundwater system.
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Conceptual deep groundwater cycle diagram (modified from http://water.gov.au/WaterAvailability/Waterbalanceassessments/WaterBalanceAssessmentMethod/index.aspx?Menu=Level1_3_2_1)