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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

CSPG Bulletin

Abstract


Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology
Vol. 38 (1990), No. 1. (March), Pages 183-184

C.S.P.G. 1990 Convention, "Basin Perspectives"

Petroleum Geology of the Cenomanian Doe Creek Member, Northwestern Alberta [Abstract]

Wallace-Dudley, K.1, Leckie, D.A.1

ABSTRACT

The Cenomanian Doe Creek, Pouce Coupe and Howard Creek members of the lower Kaskapau Formation are hydrocarbon-bearing sandstones that outcrop in northwestern Alberta. The Doe Creek Member produces light gravity oil and gas from 6 fields, although the majority of production is from the Valhalla Field. The Doe Creek Member is the only Cretaceous unit from which conventional oil is presently being produced on the Peace River Arch.

Regional cross-sections show that the Doe Creek Member consists of a series of thin, lenticular sandstones encased in shale 15 to 40 m above the top of the Dunvegan Formation. Hydrocarbon production from the A and I sandstones is concentrated along the eastern updip pinch-out edge of each sandstone body. Hydrocarbon production from the middle N sandstone is limited and irregularly distributed. The Pouce Coupe Member outcrops at the northwest corner of the study area but does not extend eastward into the subsurface of Alberta. The Howard Creek Member is traceable into the northern part of the study area (section A-A') as a silty zone approximately 35 to 45 m above the Doe Creek Member. Overall, these sandstone units form a retrogradational shoreline succession capped by a deep-water, condensed section ("Second White Specks"). Each sandstone unit appears to be unconformity-bounded.

Rock-Eval pyrolysis indicates that the shales fall into two groups. The shales that encase the Doe Creek sandstones have poor hydrocarbon

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source-rock potential; the overlying Second White Specks has good source rock potential with the ability to generate gas and oil.

Eleven facies described from outcrop and core record the nature of the transgression, which involved deposition of sandstones between fair-weather and storm wave base on a shallow marine shelf, probably similar to lee-side shoals in the Alaska Bering Sea.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ASSOCIATED FOOTNOTES

1 Geological Survey of Canada, Calgary T2L 2A7

Copyright © 2003 by The Society of Canadian Petroleum Geologists. All Rights Reserved.