Journal of Petroleum Geology, Vol.16, No.1, pp. 33-54, 1993

©Copyright 2000 Scientific Press, Ltd.

THERMAL MATURITYAND SOURCE-ROCK POTENTIAL
OF THE SEDIMENTARY SUCCESSION FROM THE DRAKE FIELD,
SVERDRUP BASIN, ARCTIC CANADA

T. Gentzis* and F. Goodarzi**

* Alberta Research Council, Coal Research Centre Devon, One Oil Patch Drive, Devon, Alberta T0C 1EO, Canada. Author to whom all correspondence should be mailed.

**Geological Survey of Canada, Institute of Sedimentary and Petroleum Geology, 3303 - 33rd Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 2A7, Canada.

Abstract

The thermal maturity and source-rock potential of the sedimentary succession in the Drake field, Melville Island, Arctic Canada, have been studied using reflected-light microscopy and Rock-Eval pyrolysis. The Mesozoic sediments are immature to mature (% Ro = 0.35-0.80). Vitrinite reflectance in Cretaceous sediments ranges from 0.35 to 0.56% in Jurassic sediments it ranges from 0.40 to 0.66%, and in Triassic sediments, from 0.50 to 0.80%. The Triassic Schei Point Group shales and siltstones contain organic matter of marine origin, whereas the predominantly plant-derived organic matter present in the Jameson Bay, Ringnes and Deer Bay formations has higher TOC. Among the Schei Point Group sediments, the Eden Bay Member of the Hoyle Bay Formation has high TOC content (approx. 5.0%) and high HI values (in excess of 600 mg HC/gCorg ). It is followed by the Cape Richards Member and the Cape Caledonia Member of the Murray Harbour Formation (approx. 5.0% TOC).