--> Abstract: Tectonics, Diagenesis and Distribution of Reservoirs in the Carboniferous Kiskatinaw Formation, Example from the Western Canada Basin, by Abu Yousuf and Charles M. Henderson; #90039 (2005)

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Tectonics, Diagenesis and Distribution of Reservoirs in the Carboniferous Kiskatinaw Formation, Example from the Western Canada Basin

Abu Yousuf and Charles M. Henderson
University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

The siliciclastic dominated Kiskatinaw Formation is the middle formation of the Carboniferous (Visean-Serpukhovian) Stoddart Group that was deposited within a tectonically active graben complex. The basal Golata Formation heralded onset of siliciclastic deposition within a previously carbonate-dominated basin. Maximum tectonic activity occurred during deposition of the Kiskatinaw Formation, which was followed by deposition of the Taylor Flat Formation.

The Kiskatinaw Formation sandstone reservoirs remain elusive and thus demand new exploration perspectives. Locally, distribution of these reservoirs is controlled by a complex interplay of syndepositional and post-depositional (early) tectonics and by preferential dissolution of pervasive early anhydrite cements. The dominant control on depositional architecture of potential reservoir sandstone bodies is syndepositional tectonics. Early post-depositional tectonics affected preservation potential of these sandstone bodies by influencing the distribution of sequence stratigraphically significant surfaces. Dissolution of pervasive early cements (“Dissolution window”) occurred at some of these surfaces, thereby generating secondary porosity. Locally, dissolution windows were open only to tectonically optimal areas (axial zone on a rotational block) where tectonic block rotation exposed early anhydrite cemented sandstone bodies to dissolution away from fault planes. Highly subsiding areas on the rotational block allowed maximum accumulation and preservation of potential reservoir sandstones that were not exposed to the “dissolution window”. In contrast, uplifted areas on the footwall side of the tilted blocks, experienced minimum deposition and maximum erosion. The combination of core analyses, detailed well log cross-sections, good seismic data and analyses of fault block geometry will help locate significant Kiskatinaw reservoirs within the Western Canada Basin.

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