Gas Shale Potential of Selected Upper
Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic and Devonian Shale Formations, in the WCSB of
Western Canada
Implications for Shale Gas production as the
Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) matures, the exploration, development,
and production of unconventional gas (coalbed methane, gas from shale and very
low permeable sandstone) will become increasingly essential to sustain an
ever-increasing North American energy demand.
Summary: As the
Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) matures, the exploration, development,
and production of unconventional gas (coalbed methane, gas from shale and very
low permeable sandstone) will become increasingly essential to sustain an
ever-increasing North American energy demand. To better understand the
exploration potential of this play, models have been developed that better
characterize both the geological setting and the geochemical framework of
current shale gas production. This report documents an evaluation of the shale
gas potential of five formations found within the WCSB that conform to these
models. The study area, located in western Canada (Alberta and east British
Columbia), was selected to better characterize the shale gas potential of the
Upper Cretaceous Wilrich and equivalents, Jurassic Nordegg/Fernie, Triassic
Doig/Doig Phosphate/Montney, Exshaw/Bakken, and Devonian Ireton/Duvernay
Formations. Geochemical data for this evaluation came from open file GSC
(Geological Survey of Canada) reports as well as new data generated through this
work. The gas shale formations studied contain potentially large volumes of
hydrocarbons. A cumulative resource calculation for the formations suggests
hydrocarbon volume to be on the order of 86.0 Tcf. The scope of the study did
not allow for detailed structural analysis of the area. This report represents a
preliminary stage of investigation and more in depth analysis is needed to
delineate areas of maximum potential for both thermogenic and/or biogenic shale
gas production from this vast basin.
