--> Abstract: Mature Area or New Frontier? Northeast British Columbia Reveals New High Potential in the Structurally Complex Region of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, by A. N. Hutton and J. L. Varsek; #90990 (1993).

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HUTTON, A. NEIL, and JOHN L. VARSEK, Petrel Robertson Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada

ABSTRACT: Mature Area or New Frontier? Northeast British Columbia Reveals New High Potential in the Structurally Complex Region of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Northeast British Columbia has been extensively explored since the early fifties. Evaluated as a part of the Western Canada sedimentary basin, with a passive undeformed basement and only Laramide deformation, the basin must be considered mature.

Recent work involving detailed stratigraphic analysis, extensive field observations, potential field data analysis, and deep crustal reflection seismic work lead to an exciting new view of this portion of the Western Canada basin. Situated over the middle Proterozoic continental margin, a complexly deformed and deeply truncated foreland forms a ramp against highly magnetic crystalline rocks. Dipping features within the Proterozoic intersect the Phanerozoic, producing local structure and uplift, which has had a profound influence on Devonian reef paleogeography. A major contractional episode results in previously unrecognized Devonian

to Carboniferous folds resulting in a complete reinterpretation of the structural style and deformational history of the area.

The structural complexity of the basin is increased by right lateral strike-slip faulting. This system is highlighted in the subsurface by a series of faults fanning out across the basin, with displacements of up to 20 km in the Proterozoic foreland, and accommodation continuing until the Cretaceous. Strike-slip deformation has generated an embayment in the Proterozoic continental margin and within the Phanerozoic shelf, indicating the occurrence of several previously unrecognized prospective shelf to basin transitions.

The complex interplay of structure and paleogeography results in a series of play opportunities that could result in new giant discoveries.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90990©1993 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, The Hague, Netherlands, October 17-20, 1993.