--> Abstract: Regional Shale Gas Potential of the Lower Cretaceous Buckinghorse Formation, Northeastern British Columbia, Canada, by Gareth R. Chalmers and R. Marc Bustin; #90078 (2008)

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Regional Shale Gas Potential of the Lower Cretaceous Buckinghorse Formation, Northeastern British Columbia, Canada

Gareth R. Chalmers and R. Marc Bustin
Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The regional shale gas potential of the Lower Cretaceous Buckinghorse Formation and stratigraphically equivalent strata have been investigated. Methane sorption capacities range between 0.03 to 1.86 cm3/g (1.0 to 59.5 scf/ton) at hydrostatic pressures between 2.9 and 17.6 MPa. The total organic carbon (TOC) content is between 0.2 and 17.0 wt%. A weak positive correlation exists between TOC content and methane capacity (R2 = 0.64). The strata range in maturity from immature to over mature with respect to the oil window (Tmax between 416 and 476°C). TOC content decreases with the maturity of the shale as more hydrocarbons are generated.

High maturities and low TOC contents exist adjacent to the deformation front. As maturity decreases, the TOC content increases towards the distal portions of the basin. The TOC content distribution is controlled by:1) the depth of burial (maturity); and 2) sedimentation rate. An increase in the sedimentation rate has reduced the TOC content within the shale. Although TOC content is low adjacent to the deformation front, methane capacities are high because of high reservoir pressures. The distal portions of the basin have maturities too low for thermogenic gas but could contain biogenic gas due to high TOC contents, lower reservoir temperatures and shallow depths

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas