Characterization of the Lower Jurassic Gordondale Member in West-Central, Alberta, Canada, using Organic Geochemical and Petrophysical Methods
Date
2017-12-12
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Abstract
The organic-rich Lower Jurassic Gordondale Mudstone in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, has exceptional unconventional hydrocarbon potential. This study integrates petrographic, organic and trace element geochemistry, and petrophysical techniques, to classify organic and mineral matter variations in the Gordondale, and their effects on unconventional reservoir quality. The depositional environment of the Gordondale is interpreted to range from dysoxic to euxinic bottom waters underling oxygenated, productive surface waters, with minimal detrital clastic input. Sulphur-rich solid bitumen is the predominant organic matter type, making up 90% of the total organic carbon (TOC) content. Fluid-like hydrocarbon residues (FHR) and light free hydrocarbons (LHC) comprise up to 3 vol. % of the whole rock. Solid bitumen has a negative (pore-occluding) effect on present day porosity, permeability, and specific surface area (SSA), while FHR covaries positively with these parameters. This relationship suggests that solid bitumen is detrimental to porosity and does not contribute significant organic porosity at its current level of thermal maturity.
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Keywords
Organic Petrology, Gordondale Member, Solid Bitumen, Unconventional Reservoir, Trace Elements, Organic Geochemistry
Citation
Isinguzo, N. (2017). Characterization of the Lower Jurassic Gordondale Member in West-Central, Alberta, Canada, using Organic Geochemical and Petrophysical Methods (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.