Deciphering the
Basin Eevolution of the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin, Canada, using
3D-Basin Modeling and Sequence Stratigraphy
Kroeger, Karsten F.1, Rolando
Di Primio2, Robert Ondrak3, Brian Horsfield4
(1) GFZ Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany (2) GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, D-14473
Potsdam, Germany (3) GeoForschungsZentrum, Potsdam, Germany (4)
GeoForschungsZentrum-Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
The Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin is a major petroleum
province in Canada for oil, gas, and gas
hydrates. The area has experienced a complex tectonic history with several
phases of folding, faulting and uplift. In addition, large variations of
sediment accumulation rate due to changing source areas and extreme variations
in surface temperature caused by several glaciation periods further complicate
the basin history. Temperature history and maturation of potential Cenozoic
type III source rocks are reconstructed in 2D/3D basin models. Well log data
and 2D/3D seismic surveys are used to analyze facies distribution in space and
time in particular within the thick Upper Tertiary units. Using a sequence
stratigraphic approach we try to achieve a more detailed sedimentological
description of the Tertiary sedimentary units which previously were treated as
single units. We intend to distinguish smaller sedimentary units in order to
obtain a higher resolution which will help to improve the 3D-basin model. To
elucidate the effect of deep permafrost formation on the maturation of organic
matter in zones of very rapid deposition during the Quaternary the influence of
glaciation on the thermal regime has been integrated in the model. As a result,
we can show that the coincidence of maximum burial and deep permafrost
formation during the Quaternary can significantly retard organic matter
maturation. Modeling of the sedimentary history of the Cenozoic Mackenzie Basin will allow to identify
sites of hydrocarbon generation and migration and to assess the importance of
geological structures in gas hydrate formation.