Mukhopadhyay, Prasanta K.¹, Paul J. Harvey², D. Jack MacDonald² 
(1) Global Geoenergy Research Ltd, Halifax, NS 
(2) Nova Scotia Department of Energy, Halifax, NS

ABSTRACT: Petroleum Systems of the Carboniferous Sediments of Onshore Nova Scotia, Eastern Canada and Feasibility of CO2 Sequestration

The Petroleum Systems of the Carboniferous sediments from onshore Nova Scotia are connected to three major structural areas within southwestern or northeastern mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. The heat flux and major thermal anomalies of the Carboniferous strata are interconnected with major structural events. The source and reservoir rocks of the Horton (Tournaisian), Windsor (Visean), Mabou (Numerian), and Cumberland (Westphalian) Groups occur as cyclic sequences of the lacustrine, marine and terrestrial sediments. Windsor Group evaporates act as seal rock. 
The Windsor, Mabou, and Cumberland group of sediments lie within the Oil Window, whereas the lacustrine Horton Group is within the late phase of oil window or in the Gas Window. Biomarker analysis of crude oil, oil stains, and numerous seeps suggested the presence of three distinct hydrocarbon families. Major expulsion of hydrocarbons possibly occurred between the Permian to Cretaceous time. Numerous oil and gas seeps, past drilling activities, comprehensive petroleum system risk assessment delineates the presence of potential oil and gas plays within the Carboniferous reservoirs in selected basins. The high CO₂ monolayer capacity of Cumberland Group coal seams may indicate future prospects of CO₂ sequestration and concomitant development of Coalbed Methane in onshore Nova Scotia.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.