Errin K. Kimball¹, Corinne A. Bagdan¹, Burns A. Cheadle², Alex Paul³, S. George Pemberton¹

(1) University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
(2) Koch Exploration Canada Ltd, Calgary, AB
(3) Shell Canada Ltd, Calgary, AB

ABSTRACT: Application of Sedimentology and Ichnology for Facies Delineation and Reservoir Characterization of the McMurray Formation, Alberta, Canada

The Athabasca Oil Sands deposit is the world's largest accumulation of hydrocarbons. This single deposit contains 988 billion barrels of bitumen in place. When combined with the related nearby oil sands deposits, there is over 1.3 trillion barrels of bitumen in place. Relying on the reserves and feasibility of this resource is essential to the stability of the oil and gas industry of Alberta.

The deposit is contained within the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian/Albian) McMurray Formation that consists of sands, silts, and clays. The bitumen migrated into the unit prior to any lithification, and therefore bitumen saturations are directly related to primary facies distributions. The study area for this research is located north of the town of Fort McMurray, in the Fort Hills region of northeastern Alberta, Canada. This encompasses townships 95 to 97, and ranges 10 and 11, west of the fourth meridian, and incorporates two future in situ mine sites.

A core based sedimentologic and ichnologic study has helped delineate significant stratigraphic sequences within the McMurray Formation. This synergistic approach has been instrumental in the accurate interpretation of the estuarine environments responsible for the deposition of the sediments in the Fort Hills area of the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit. Ultimately, this provides the geological interpretation needed for the difficult task of modeling this enormous and complex deposit in order to improve exploration and exploitation.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90906©2001 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado