The
Ferri, Filippo1, Janet Riddell1,
Lavern Stasiuk2, Arthur Sweet2, Paul O'Sullivan3
(1) BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Victoria, BC (2)
Geological Survey of Canada, Calgary, AB (3) Apatite to Zircon Inc, Viola, ID
The
These rocks underwent mid-Cretaceous
compression and Late Cretaceous to Paleogene transcurrent faulting. Strike-slip
structures locally produced extensional basins filled with Cenozoic clastics.
Eight exploratory wells were drilled in
the southern part of basin between 1960 and 1985. Correlation between wells is
difficult due to facies changes, faulting and lack of stratigraphic control.
Live oil and gas shows were encountered in several wells and porosity ranges
from poor to good (15%). Initial subsurface source rock analysis suggests poor
to moderate TOC values and a dominance of Type III kerogens.
New source rock analysis of correlative
surface sections has recognized organic-rich Middle Jurassic horizons not
encountered in the subsurface. New subsurface vitrinite reflectance data
indicates oil to dry gas maturation levels. Characterization of oil inclusions
in core from several of the wells is being attempted in hopes of understanding
their origin. Current and new age data suggests that subsurface sequences are
Cretaceous to Cenozoic in age and initial apatite fission track data indicates
that basin uplift began in the Eocene.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California