The CSIRO Medal for Research Excellence was awarded to the CSIRO Petroleum Resources Division’s Fluid History Analysis team for research into how oil migrated through host rock and where it was likely to end up.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) applauded the awarding of the medal.

“This knowledge has allowed the exploration industry to more accurately identify attractive drilling targets and dismiss those from which oil may have already been depleted,” APPEA chief executive Belinda Robinson said.

“This is an area where Australia leads the world at a time when Australia’s oil production is declining. Already we are seeing experts from around the world coming to Australia to find out more about this innovative technology."

Robinson said APPEA congratulated the seven-member Fluid History Analysis team, led by Dr Peter Eadington, whose success had confirmed that Australia can produce world-class petroleum research results.