Sequence Stratigraphic Framework of the Late Devonian

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Sequence Stratigraphic Framework of the Late Devonian SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK OF THE LATE DEVONIAN (FRASNIAN) DUPEROW FORMATION IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL MONTANA by Christopher Johann Steuer A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Earth Science MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY Bozeman, Montana November 2019 ©COPYRIGHT by Christopher Johann Steuer 2019 All Rights Reserved ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I’d like to thank my parents for their unwavering support throughout this endeavor; this project wouldn’t have been possible without them. I’d also like to thank my advisors, Dr. David W. Bowen, Chuck Calavan, and Dr. Devon Orme, as well as, Dr. Dave Lageson for their thoughtful insight, discussion and motivation throughout my time at Montana State University. I’d like to thank my fellow graduate cohorts for their meaningful discussions on various geology topics and my undergraduate mentors, Dr. Dave Schwarz and Dr. Walter Snyder from Boise State University who inspired me to pursue a Master’s through their classroom instruction, motivational energy, guidance in pursuing a career outside of academia, and personal interaction in the field. This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratory through award number: DE-FC26- 05NT42587 to the Energy Research Institute and Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership at Montana State University; grants from the Montana Geological Society, the Society for Sedimentary Geology, the Geological Society of America, and the Montana State University Graduate School and College of Letters and Sciences. I’m grateful for the support provided by these organizations as this project would not have been possible without them. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 Introduction and Objectives ............................................................................. 1 Significance ..................................................................................................... 2 2. GEOLOGIC SETTING ..................................................................................... 7 Overview .......................................................................................................... 7 Field Sites .............................................................................................. 10 Stratigraphic Setting .............................................................................. 12 Sloss’ Megasequences and The Lower Kaskaskia Sequence .......... 15 Beartooth Butte Formation ................................................................ 19 Maywood-Souris River Formation ..................................................... 20 Duperow Formation .......................................................................... 22 Nisku-Birdbear Formation ................................................................. 24 Three Forks Formation ..................................................................... 24 Tectonic Setting ..................................................................................... 25 Great Falls Tectonic Zone and Basement Lineaments ..................... 27 Wyoming Craton ............................................................................... 28 Medicine Hat Block ........................................................................... 28 Montana Aulacogen .......................................................................... 29 Sweetgrass Arch and Pendroy Fault Zone ....................................... 29 Central Montana Trough (CMT) ........................................................ 30 Central Montana Uplift (CMU) .......................................................... 31 Wyoming-Beartooth Shelf ................................................................. 31 3. DATA AND METHODS ................................................................................. 33 Data Outcrop and Measured Sections ........................................................... 33 Gibson Reservoir, Sawtooth Range, Montana .................................. 33 Logan Gulch, Horseshoe Hills, Montana .......................................... 36 Storm Castle Peak, Gallatin Canyon, Montana ................................ 37 Sacagawea Peak, Bridger Range, Montana ..................................... 39 Crown Butte, Little Belt Mountains, Montana .................................... 41 Haymaker Narrows, Little Belt Mountains, Montana ......................... 42 Greathouse Peak, Big Snowy Mountains, Montana .......................... 43 Drill Core ................................................................................................ 45 Thin Sections ......................................................................................... 46 Methods Outcrop and Measured Sections ............................................................ 48 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED Drill Core ................................................................................................. 48 Thin Sections .......................................................................................... 49 4. LITHOFACIES AND LITHOFACIES ASSOCIATIONS ................................... 50 Lithofacies ..................................................................................................... 50 Lithofacies Associations ................................................................................ 51 LFA-2A .................................................................................................. 51 LFA-2B .................................................................................................. 54 LFA-3A .................................................................................................. 55 LFA-3B .................................................................................................. 57 LFA-4A .................................................................................................. 57 LFA-4B .................................................................................................. 58 LFA-4C and LFA-1A .............................................................................. 60 LFA-5A .................................................................................................. 63 LFA-6A .................................................................................................. 64 Depositional Environments ........................................................................... 76 Facies Model ................................................................................................ 77 5. STRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK ................................................................. 79 Sequence Stratigraphy .................................................................................. 79 Third Order Sequences In the Duperow Formation .................................. 80 Gibson Reservoir .............................................................................. 85 Logan Gulch ..................................................................................... 87 Crown Butte ...................................................................................... 90 Sacagawea Peak .............................................................................. 92 Haymaker Narrows ........................................................................... 94 Greathouse Peak .............................................................................. 95 Storm Castle Peak ............................................................................ 97 Wallewein 22-1 Core ........................................................................ 98 Danielson 33-17 Core ..................................................................... 100 Plain Kevin 15-26 Core ................................................................... 101 Second Order Sequences In the Duperow Formation ............................ 102 Paleogeography .......................................................................................... 107 6. DISCUSSION .............................................................................................. 117 Geologic Significance Oil and Gas Resources ........................................................................... 117 Carbon Sequestration ............................................................................. 121 v TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTINUED 7. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS .............................................................. 124 Introduction .................................................................................................. 124 Summary and Conclusions .......................................................................... 124 Future Work ................................................................................................. 126 REFERENCES CITED .................................................................................... 127 APPENDICES .................................................................................................. 152 APPENDIX A: Sequence Stratigraphic Framework: Measured Sections ....................................................... 153 APPENDIX B: Sequence Stratigraphic Framework: Cores ................... 154 APPENDIX C: Storm Castle Measured Section .................................... 155 APPENDIX D: Summary Table of Thin Section Attributes .................... 156 APPENDIX E: Thin Section Individual
Recommended publications
  • Stromatoporoids in the Devonian Carbonate Complex in Moravia (Czechoslovakia)
    ACT A POLONICA Vol. 25 No. 3-4 VLASTA ZUKALOVA STROMATOPOROIDS IN THE DEVONIAN CARBONATE COMPLEX IN MORAVIA (CZECHOSLOVAKIA) ZUKALOVA, v.: Stromatoporoids in the Devonian carbonate complex in Mo­ ravia (Czechoslovakia). Acta Palaeont. Polonica, 25, 3/4, 671-679, December 1981. Studies of the Paleozoic rocks in Moravia based on abundant drillings reveal the extent of the Devonian reefs (s.!.) beneath the Carpathia~ Flysh Belt and Neogene foredeeps. Reef limestones (rich mainly in stromatoporoids) are re­ stricted to the platform part of the sedimentary basin. A 'gradual transgression reached this area during the Givetian and Frasnian having its culmination in the Early Frasnian. Development of reef limestones in Moravia ceased at the Frasnian/Famennian boundary. Key W 0 r d s: Stromatoporoidea, stratigraphy, Devonian, Czechoslovakia. Vlasta Zukalova. Ostfedni Ostav Geo!ogicIQ/, 60200 Brno, Leitnerova 22, Cze­ choslovakia. Received: September 1979. The Paleozoic' sedimentary basin is bounded on the west by meta­ morphosed crystalline rocks. Paleozoic deposits are covered by the Carpa­ thian nappes and the Neogene foredeep fillings on the south and south­ east, while they extend into Polish territory on the north and northeast. The Silurian graptolite shales occurring near the village of Stinava are the most ancient sediments for which there is paleontological evidence in Moravia (Bollcek 1935). They give evidence of the earliest marine trans­ gression over Moravia. During Paleozoic time, deep sea conditions pre­ vailed in this area where mainly shales with subordinate limestone inter­ calations were deposited. The Lower Devonian (Siegenian) transgression took place over a re­ stricted area. Relics of fauna in the quartzites are known at the villages of Zlate Horyand Vrbno.
    [Show full text]
  • Montana Forest Insect and Disease Conditions and Program Highlights
    R1-16-17 03/20/2016 Forest Service Northern Region Montata Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Forestry Division In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • L'.3350 Deposmon and DISSOLUTION of the MIDDLE DEVONIAN PRAIRIE FORMATION, Williston BASIN, NORTH DAKOTA and MONTANA By
    l'.3350 DEPOsmON AND DISSOLUTION OF THE MIDDLE DEVONIAN PRAIRIE FORMATION, WilLISTON BASIN, NORTH DAKOTA AND MONTANA by: Chris A. Oglesby T-3350 A thesis submined to the Faculty and the Board of Trustees of the Colorado School of Mines in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Geology). Golden, Colorado Date f:" /2 7 /C''i::-- i ; Signed: Approved: Lee C. Gerhard Thesis Advisor Golden, Colorado - 7 Date' .' Samuel S. Adams, Head Department of Geology and Geological Engineering II T-3350 ABSTRACf Within the Williston basin, thickness variations of the Prairie Formation are common and are interpreted to originate by two processes, differential accumulation of salt during deposition, and differential removal of salt by dissolution. Unambiguous evidence for each process is rare because the Prairie/Winnipegosis interval is seldom cored within the U.S. portion of the basin. Therefore indirect methods, utilizing well logs, provide the principal method for identifying characteristics of the two processes. The results of this study indicate that the two processes can be distinguished using correlations within the Prairie Formation. Several regionally correlative upward-brining, and probably shoaling-upward sequences occur within the Prairie Formation .. Near the basin center, the lowermost sequence is transitional with the underlying Winnipegosis Formation. This transition is characterized by thinly laminated carbonates that become increasingly interbedded with anhydrites of the basin-centered Ratner Member, the remainder of the sequence progresses up through halite and culminates in the halite-dominated Esterhazy potash beds. Two overlying sequences also brine upwards, however, these sequences lack the basal anhydrite and instead begin with halite and culminate in the Belle Plaine and Mountrail potash Members, respectively.
    [Show full text]
  • Late Paleozoic Sea Levels and Depositional Sequences Charles A
    Western Washington University Western CEDAR Geology Faculty Publications Geology 1987 Late Paleozoic Sea Levels and Depositional Sequences Charles A. Ross Western Washington University, [email protected] June R. P. Ross Western Washington University Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/geology_facpubs Part of the Geology Commons, and the Paleontology Commons Recommended Citation Ross, Charles A. and Ross, June R. P., "Late Paleozoic Sea Levels and Depositional Sequences" (1987). Geology Faculty Publications. 61. https://cedar.wwu.edu/geology_facpubs/61 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Geology at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Geology Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research, Special Publication 24, 1987. LATE PALEOZOIC SEA LEVELS AND DEPOSITIONAL SEQUENCES CHARLES A. ROSSI AND JUNE R. P. ROSS2 1 Chevron U.S.A., Inc.,P. O. BOX 1635, Houston, TX 77251 2 Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225 ABSTRACT studies on these changes in sea level and their paleogeographic distribution (Ross, 1979; Ross Cyclic sea level charts for the Lower and Ross, 1979, 1981a, 1981b, 1985a, 1985b) are Carboniferous (Mississippian), Middle and Upper elaborated on in this paper with charts in a Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian), and Permian show similar format to that used for Mesozoic and considerable variability in the duration and Cenozoic sea-level cyclic fluctuations by Haq, magnitude of third-order depositional sequences, Hardenbol, and Vail (1987 and this volume). and also in the position of general sea level as represented by second-order sea level.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Natural Areas on National Forest System Lands in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Western Wyoming: a Guidebook for Scientists, Managers, and Educators
    USDA United States Department of Agriculture Research Natural Areas on Forest Service National Forest System Lands Rocky Mountain Research Station in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, General Technical Report RMRS-CTR-69 Utah, and Western Wyoming: February 2001 A Guidebook for Scientists, Managers, and E'ducators Angela G. Evenden Melinda Moeur J. Stephen Shelly Shannon F. Kimball Charles A. Wellner Abstract Evenden, Angela G.; Moeur, Melinda; Shelly, J. Stephen; Kimball, Shannon F.; Wellner, Charles A. 2001. Research Natural Areas on National Forest System Lands in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Western Wyoming: A Guidebook for Scientists, Managers, and Educators. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-69. Ogden, UT: U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 84 p. This guidebook is intended to familiarize land resource managers, scientists, educators, and others with Research Natural Areas (RNAs) managed by the USDA Forest Service in the Northern Rocky Mountains and lntermountain West. This guidebook facilitates broader recognitionand use of these valuable natural areas by describing the RNA network, past and current research and monitoring, management, and how to use RNAs. About The Authors Angela G. Evenden is biological inventory and monitoring project leader with the National Park Service -NorthernColorado Plateau Network in Moab, UT. She was formerly the Natural Areas Program Manager for the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Northern Region and lntermountain Region of the USDA Forest Service. Melinda Moeur is Research Forester with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain ResearchStation in Moscow, ID, and one of four Research Natural Areas Coordinators from the Rocky Mountain Research Station. J. Stephen Shelly is Regional Botanist and Research Natural Areas Coordinator with the USDA Forest Service, Northern Region Headquarters Office in Missoula, MT.
    [Show full text]
  • National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
    NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM 1. Name of Property historic name: Dearborn River High Bridge other name/site number: 24LC130 2. Location street & number: Fifteen Miles Southwest of Augusta on Bean Lake Road not for publication: n/a vicinity: X city/town: Augusta state: Montana code: MT county: Lewis & Clark code: 049 zip code: 59410 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this _X_ nomination _ request for detenj ination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the proc urf I and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property X_ meets _ does not meet the National Register Criterfi commend thatthis oroperty be considered significant _ nationally X statewide X locafly. Signa jre of oertifying officialn itle Date Montana State Historic Preservation Office State or Federal agency or bureau (_ See continuation sheet for additional comments. In my opinion, the property _ meets _ does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification , he/eby certify that this property is: 'entered in the National Register _ see continuation sheet _ determined eligible for the National Register _ see continuation sheet _ determined not eligible for the National Register_ _ see continuation sheet _ removed from the National Register _see continuation sheet _ other (explain): _________________ Dearborn River High Bridge Lewis & Clark County.
    [Show full text]
  • Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana
    Report of Investigation 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg 2015 Cover photo by Richard Berg. Sapphires (very pale green and colorless) concentrated by panning. The small red grains are garnets, commonly found with sapphires in western Montana, and the black sand is mainly magnetite. Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences in Montana Richard B. Berg Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology MBMG Report of Investigation 23 2015 i Compilation of Reported Sapphire Occurrences, RI 23 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................1 Descriptions of Occurrences ..................................................................................................7 Selected Bibliography of Articles on Montana Sapphires ................................................... 75 General Montana ............................................................................................................75 Yogo ................................................................................................................................ 75 Southwestern Montana Alluvial Deposits........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Rock Creek sapphire district ........................................................................ 76 Specifi cally Dry Cottonwood Creek deposit and the Butte area ....................................
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the Mineralogy of Calcifying Sponges
    Dickinson College Dickinson Scholar Faculty and Staff Publications By Year Faculty and Staff Publications 12-2013 Not All Sponges Will Thrive in a High-CO2 Ocean: Review of the Mineralogy of Calcifying Sponges Abigail M. Smith Jade Berman Marcus M. Key, Jr. Dickinson College David J. Winter Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.dickinson.edu/faculty_publications Part of the Paleontology Commons Recommended Citation Smith, Abigail M.; Berman, Jade; Key,, Marcus M. Jr.; and Winter, David J., "Not All Sponges Will Thrive in a High-CO2 Ocean: Review of the Mineralogy of Calcifying Sponges" (2013). Dickinson College Faculty Publications. Paper 338. https://scholar.dickinson.edu/faculty_publications/338 This article is brought to you for free and open access by Dickinson Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email protected]. © 2013. Licensed under the Creative Commons http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by- nc-nd/4.0/ Elsevier Editorial System(tm) for Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Manuscript Draft Manuscript Number: PALAEO7348R1 Title: Not all sponges will thrive in a high-CO2 ocean: Review of the mineralogy of calcifying sponges Article Type: Research Paper Keywords: sponges; Porifera; ocean acidification; calcite; aragonite; skeletal biomineralogy Corresponding Author: Dr. Abigail M Smith, PhD Corresponding Author's Institution: University of Otago First Author: Abigail M Smith, PhD Order of Authors: Abigail M Smith, PhD; Jade Berman, PhD; Marcus M Key Jr, PhD; David J Winter, PhD Abstract: Most marine sponges precipitate silicate skeletal elements, and it has been predicted that they would be among the few "winners" in an acidifying, high-CO2 ocean.
    [Show full text]
  • Mannville Group of Saskatchewan
    Saskatchewan Report 223 Industry and Resources Saskatchewan Geological Survey Jura-Cretaceous Success Formation and Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group of Saskatchewan J.E. Christopher 2003 19 48 Printed under the authority of the Minister of Industry and Resources Although the Department of Industry and Resources has exercised all reasonable care in the compilation, interpretation, and production of this report, it is not possible to ensure total accuracy, and all persons who rely on the information contained herein do so at their own risk. The Department of Industry and Resources and the Government of Saskatchewan do not accept liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies that may be included in, or derived from, this report. Cover: Clearwater River Valley at Contact Rapids (1.5 km south of latitude 56º45'; latitude 109º30'), Saskatchewan. View towards the north. Scarp of Middle Devonian Methy dolomite at right. Dolomite underlies the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation outcrops recessed in the valley walls. Photo by J.E. Christopher. Additional copies of this digital report may be obtained by contacting: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Publications 2101 Scarth Street, 3rd floor Regina, SK S4P 3V7 (306) 787-2528 FAX: (306) 787-2527 E-mail: [email protected] Recommended Citation: Christopher, J.E. (2003): Jura-Cretaceous Success Formation and Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group of Saskatchewan; Sask. Industry and Resources, Report 223, CD-ROM. Editors: C.F. Gilboy C.T. Harper D.F. Paterson RnD Technical Production: E.H. Nickel M.E. Opseth Production Editor: C.L. Brown Saskatchewan Industry and Resources ii Report 223 Foreword This report, the first on CD to be released by the Petroleum Geology Branch, describes the geology of the Success Formation and the Mannville Group wherever these units are present in Saskatchewan.
    [Show full text]
  • Faults and Associated Karst Collapse Suggest Conduits for Fluid Flow That Influence Hydraulic Fracturing-Induced Seismicity
    Faults and associated karst collapse suggest conduits for fluid flow that influence hydraulic fracturing- induced seismicity Elwyn Gallowaya, Tyler Haucka, Hilary Corlettb, Dinu Pana˘ a, and Ryan Schultza,1 aAlberta Geological Survey, Alberta Energy Regulator, Edmonton, AB T8N 3A3, Canada; and bDepartment of Physical Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB T5J 4S2, Canada Edited by Paul Segall, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, and approved August 21, 2018 (received for review May 1, 2018) During December 2011, a swarm of moderate-magnitude earth- bore [up to hundreds of meters (18–21)]. Furthermore, geo- quakes was induced by hydraulic fracturing (HF) near Cardston, mechanical modeling reveals that poroelastic changes from HF Alberta. Despite seismological associations linking these two processes, are transmitted only locally (20). These results are in direct the hydrological and tectonic mechanisms involved remain unclear. In contradiction to HF-related earthquakes that are located kilo- this study, we interpret a 3D reflection-seismic survey to delve into the meters away from the closest well bore (e.g., refs. 2, 6, 11, 22, and geological factors related to these earthquakes. First, we document a 23). Specific to the Cardston case, earthquakes (located on re- basement-rooted fault on which the earthquake rupture occurred that gional arrays) were observed within the uppermost crystalline ∼ – extends above the targeted reservoir. Second, at the reservoir’s strati- basement, 1.5 km deeper than the target upper Stettler Big SI Appendix graphic level, anomalous subcircular features are recognized along the Valley Reservoir zone ( ,Fig.S1); this observation is fault and are interpreted as resulting from fault-associated karst pro- further complicated by the fact that the fault slip response oc- ∼ – cesses.
    [Show full text]
  • Subsurface Characterization of the Pembina-Wabamun Acid-Gas Injection Area
    ERCB/AGS Special Report 093 Subsurface Characterization of the Pembina-Wabamun Acid-Gas Injection Area Subsurface Characterization of the Pembina-Wabamun Acid-Gas Injection Area Stefan Bachu Maja Buschkuehle Kristine Haug Karsten Michael Alberta Geological Survey Alberta Energy and Utilities Board ©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Alberta, 2008 ISBN 978-0-7785-6950-3 The Energy Resources Conservation Board/Alberta Geological Survey (ERCB/AGS) and its employees and contractors make no warranty, guarantee or representation, express or implied, or assume any legal liability regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness or reliability of this publication. Any digital data and software supplied with this publication are subject to the licence conditions. The data are supplied on the understanding that they are for the sole use of the licensee, and will not be redistributed in any form, in whole or in part, to third parties. Any references to proprietary software in the documentation, and/or any use of proprietary data formats in this release, do not constitute endorsement by the ERCB/AGS of any manufacturer's product. If this product is an ERCB/AGS Special Report, the information is provided as received from the author and has not been edited for conformity to ERCB/AGS standards. When using information from this publication in other publications or presentations, due acknowledgment should be given to the ERCB/AGS. The following reference format is recommended: Bachu, S., Buschkuehle, M., Haug, K., Michael, K. (2008): Subsurface characterization of the Pembina-Wabamun acid-gas injection area; Energy Resources Conservation Board, ERCB/AGS Special Report 093, 60 p.
    [Show full text]
  • Geochemical Studies of Natural Gas, Part 1
    , ~ ( j ? j f GeoehelDieaI Studies of Natural Gas I PART m. INERT GASES IN WESTERN CANADIAN NATURAL GASES* ~ By BRIAN HITCHONt -j (This is the last of a Series of three Parts presented by the author tor publication in the Journal. Parts I I, and II appeared, in the Summer and Fall issues respectively.) ABSTRAGr 1 INTRODUcrION GEOCHEMISTRY AND ORIGIN OF In natural gases, the stratigra­ NITROGEN l phic and geographic variations in J T HIS paper is the third aud final Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/JCPT/article-pdf/2/04/165/2165406/petsoc-63-04-03.pdf by guest on 30 September 2021 1 the contents of both nitrogen and part of a series concerned with Before considering this subject heIiwn are of geochemical interest, further it is very important to con­ although only helium is of com­ the geochemistry of natural gas in 1 mercial importance. Nitrogen may Western Canada. It is a discussion sider the units in which the analy­ l originate from a great variety of of the inert gases nitrogen and he­ tical data are reported. Ideally, sources, including air, either orig­ lium. The first paper (1) dealt knowledge of the mass of the in­ J inally trapped in the sediments or '~ introduced dissolved in percolating with the hydrocarbons and the sec­ dividual components of natural groWldwaters, the denitrification of ond (2) with the acid gases. Due gases in the sedimentary basin is nitrogenous compounds or the de­ to their generally unreactive na­ desirable. From the reports of cay of certain radioactive minerals. ture, chemically, compared to hy­ Buckley and his co-workers (5) it In contrast, there exist radioac­ drocarbons or the acid gases, both may be surmised that the bulk of tive sources for all natural helium, nitrogen and helium are common­ the material is methane, with much and thus the problem of the migra­ lesser amounts .of other components.
    [Show full text]