About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Williston Basin Symposium

Abstract

SKGS-AAPG

Sixth International Williston Basin Symposium, October 7, 1991 (SP11)

Pages 283 - 292

SUBSURFACE BRINES IN SOUTHERN SASKATCHEWAN

L.K. KREIS, Saskatchewan Energy and Mines, 201 Dewdney Avenue East, Regina, Saskatchewan S4N 4G3
M. GENT, Saskatchewan Energy and Mines, 1914 Hamilton Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 4V4
L.W. VIGRASS, Geology Department, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2

ABSTRACT

Subsurface brines with anomalously high calcium and magnesium content are widespread in reservoirs of Cambrian to Devonian age in southern Saskatchewan. Geographically, the anomalous brines are reported most commonly in the potash mining area around Saskatoon (lat. 52° N, long. 106° 30' W) and in the southeastern part of the province (lat. 49° 30' N, long. 103° W). Some of the brines occur as potash-mine inflow and these have been shown to have anomalously high contents of bromine, iodine and strontium. Origin of the brines is uncertain but they appear to have undergone a complex evolutionary history that may have involved dissolution of evaporite minerals in the Prairie Formation.

Data on characteristics of the reservoirs containing the brines are limited. Analysis of mechanical logs and a few drillstem tests shows that some of the reservoirs have significant thickness and permeability, and at least one may be large enough for commercial development.

In the Michigan Basin subsurface brines provide the raw material for a billion dollar chemical industry. Preliminary work indicates that some of the Saskatchewan brines have calcium, magnesium, bromine and iodine contents that compare favourably with concentrations of these components in the commercial brines of the Michigan Basin.

Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24