Comparing Opportunities in a Mature Basin: Examples from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Dave A. Russum and Andrew R. Botterill
AJM Petroleum Consultants, Calgary, AB

Gas production from the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) grew rapidly after de-regulation in the 1980's. This rapid growth has accelerated the maturity of the Basin and steadily eroded the reserve base providing challenges for future production.

Certain areas and formations in the WCSB still have considerable growth potential for natural gas. The decision of where to focus activity and developing realistic expectations of results requires careful, consistent analysis of up-to-date data.

A comprehensive comparison of four current gas opportunities: ‘Resource' plays in North Eastern British Columbia, ‘Deep basin' gas in West Central Alberta, Coalbed methane in Central Alberta and Shallow gas in South Western Saskatchewan, provides new insights into their reserves, productivity and relative economic impact.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005