Abstract

Two billion barrels of oil are contained in a series of isolated linear sand bodies which form the Cardium Sand. This formation is traceable throughout 10,000 square miles of the Alberta Basin of Western Canada. Traps are purely statigraphic. From the beginning, exploration was aided by synthesis of sedimentologic and stratigraphic data. The talk will trace the history of exploration and development of these giant oil reserves and illustrate the utility of conceptual models in exploration. A variety of models representing regressive deltaic, transgressive shelf and deep sea, turbidite deposition will be discussed. The best model for the Cardium Sand can be chosen using only the gross geometry and stratigraphy of the tongue. This could be de-determined from sparse control early in the play. This sedimentologic model of the sand tongue can be used to determine exploration strategy.