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Architecture and Hydrocarbon Potential in Eastern Saskatchewan and Western

Kim Kreis, Benoit Beauchamp 1, Ruth Bezys 2 Carol Martiniuk 3, and Steve Whittaker

Kreis, L.K., Beauchamp, B., Bezys, R., Martiniuk, C., and Whittaker, S. (2004): Williston Basin architecture and hydrocarbon potential in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba; in Summary of Investigations 2004, Volume 1, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Industry Resources, Misc. Rep. 2004-4.1, CD-ROM, Paper A-3, 5p.

Abstract The stratigraphic framework and hydrocarbon potential of the Williston Basin are currently being investigated in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. The Williston Basin Architecture and Hydrocarbon Potential Project (Phase 1) is a two-year collaborative program involving: Saskatchewan Industry and Resources; Manitoba Industry, Economic Development and Mines; and Natural Resources . Regional geological, hydrogeological, geophysical, and remotely sensed imagery analyses are being performed on Phanerozoic-aged rocks from the top of the Precambrian basement to uppermost Cretaceous. Consultants and researchers from federal and provincial governments, and universities are involved in this regional study, the results of which are expected to enhance our knowledge of subsurface mineral potential (e.g., of brines and ) and hydrocarbon- migration paths and entrapment mechanisms within and beyond areas of known production.

Keywords: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Williston Basin, hydrocarbons, oil, Phanerozoic, stratigraphy, geophysics, geochemistry, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI).

1. Introduction Steadily increasing demand for hydrocarbons by the North American economy is widening the gap between supply and demand. Geoscience knowledge is an essential component of hydrocarbon- and mineral-exploration strategies. Over the past several decades, however, both industry and governments in Canada have generally reduced funding for geoscience investigations. The Saskatchewan government has, for each of the past three years, countered this trend by substantially increasing funding to enhance knowledge of the ’s sedimentary strata and to improve support for companies that are exploring for new petroleum reserves. One of the results is that Saskatchewan Industry and Resources (SIR) has embarked on a two-year collaborative investigation (April 1, 2003, to March 31, 2005) in partnership with Industry, Economic Development and Mines (IEDM) of Manitoba, and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) as part of NRCan’s second round of Targeted Geoscience Initiatives (TGIs). The resulting study, the Williston Basin Architecture and Hydrocarbon Potential Project (Phase 1), falls under a federal government program called “Consolidating Canada’s Geoscience Knowledge.” This project will build upon similar geoscience- framework studies carried out within the IEA CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project (Gilboy et al., 2001; Whittaker et al., 2002; Whittaker and Gilboy, 2003). Such projects have been developed in recognition that in-depth understanding of the geological framework of the Williston Basin is fundamental to assessing the basin’s mineral and hydrocarbon potential.

2. Objectives The primary objective of the TGI project is to develop a seamless 3-D geological model of Paleozoic- and Mesozoic-aged rocks from subsurface to outcrop in an that includes most of the Phanerozoic succession present in both eastern Saskatchewan and Manitoba (Figure 1). This model will integrate stratigraphic, geophysical, and hydrogeological data to enhance our knowledge of subsurface mineral potential (e.g., of brines and potash), and of hydrocarbon migration paths and entrapment mechanisms within and beyond traditional geographic areas of potash and hydrocarbon production.

1 Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 3303 - 33rd Street NW, , AB T2L 2A7. 2 Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Industry, Economic Development and Mines, 360-1395 Ellice Avenue, , MB R3G 3P2. 3 Petroleum Branch, Manitoba Industry, Economic Development and Mines, 360-1395 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3P2.

Saskatchewan Geological Survey 1 Summary of Investigations 2004, Volume 1 Saskatchewan Geological Survey

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Figure 1 - Digital Elevation Model (DEM) showing location of TGI project area in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and IEA Weyburn CO2 Monitoring and Storage project area. Note map is plotted using and . The start of the project was delayed due to contractual and logistical problems, but Saskatchewan and Manitoba researchers have established the stratigraphy to be picked and, to assist in correlation, have constructed cross sections across the study area. A database is currently being built that comprises geological picks derived from most of the drill holes penetrating Devonian and deeper horizons and from selected wells (approximately 4 to 6 wells per in densely drilled areas) penetrating Mississippian- and Mesozoic-aged rocks. When completed, it is expected to include information from more than 4,000 Saskatchewan wells and approximately 3,000 Manitoba wells. A grid of regional cross sections and computer-generated structure and isopach maps for all major geological units will be produced from these data. The project will acquire remotely sensed imagery, along with seismic, aeromagnetic, gravity, and hydrogeological data, all of which will be integrated with the stratigraphic data into an ArcView GIS product and a Gocad 3-D geological model that will be made publicly available on CD-ROM and will also be web-enabled. A written summary describing known and conceptual plays will accompany these releases. Compilation of a comprehensive bibliography of published geoscience information covering the study area is part of the Consolidating Canada’s Geoscience Knowledge program and is an important component of this TGI project.

3. Project Structure This project has eight principal tasks: 1) geoscience knowledge inventory; 2) regional geological mapping; 3) geophysical investigations; 4) regional hydrogeology; 5) remotely sensed imagery; 6) hydrocarbon assessment; 7) 3D Gocad geological model; and 8) summary report. One or more principal task leaders have been assigned to each task. Overall responsibility for management of the project is shared between Saskatchewan (Kim Kreis and Steve Whittaker), Manitoba (Ruth Bezys and Carol Martiniuk), and NRCan (Benoit Beauchamp).

The TGI project has attempted to assemble a team with expertise in different geoscience disciplines. Geophysical expertise will mainly come from the Geophysics Department at the University of Saskatchewan. Hydrogeological support will be obtained from the University of . Biostratigraphic and geochemical work is expected to be carried out by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), Calgary.

Figure 2 - Project structure.

Saskatchewan Geological Survey 3 Summary of Investigations 2004, Volume 1 4. Project Participants Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, under the direction of Kim Kreis and Steve Whittaker, is responsible for the coordination of all research tasks in Saskatchewan. Regional geological mapping (Task 2) for the Saskatchewan portion of the TGI area will be led by Kim Kreis. Steve Whittaker will lead compilation of hydrocarbon assessment data (Task 6) and will work with Gaywood Matile from IEDM in Manitoba on developing a 3-D geological model using Gocad software (Task 7). Melinda Yurkowski will direct Saskatchewan’s compilation of a comprehensive geoscience bibliography and development of an ArcView GIS product for the geoscience knowledge inventory (Task 1). Her stratigraphic expertise with Mesozoic strata will also be used in support of Task 2. Manitoba Industry, Economic Development and Mines, led by Ruth Bezys and Carol Martiniuk, is responsible for coordinating research work in Manitoba. Ruth Bezys will direct mapping activities, Carol Martiniuk will direct stratigraphic data collection and interpretation, and both will share their stratigraphic capability, all as part of their Task 2 (regional geological mapping) responsibilities. Michelle Nicolas is the chief researcher for Task 2 providing stratigraphic expertise and coordinating regional correlations with contract staff in Manitoba and fellow researchers in Saskatchewan. Ruth Bezys will be leading the remotely sensed imagery studies (Task 5). Gaywood Matile, assisted by Steve Whittaker in Saskatchewan, will guide the development of a 3-D geological model (Task 7) for the project. The University of Saskatchewan, under the direction of Dr. Igor Morozov, will be responsible for regional geophysical investigations (Task 3) in the TGI project area. Dr. Jiakang Li, a Post Doctoral Fellow with the University of Saskatchewan, will work with Dr. Morozov on the compilation, integration, and interpretation of regional gravity and aeromagnetic datasets over the TGI project area in an effort to improve current understanding of the Precambrian basement. These data and interpretations will be augmented by seismic data where available. Comparison between regional geological mapping results derived from well control data (Task 2) with geophysical mapping (Task 3) may provide insights into basement structural controls on overlying Phanerozoic rocks.

At the University of Alberta, under the leadership of Dr. Ben Rostron, Dan Palombi, a Master of Science student, will map existing hydrogeological and hydrochemical data for major deep aquifers (>250 m) to describe their flow in three dimensions (Task 4). Mapping of regional fluid-flow directions and flow rates is anticipated to enhance our understanding of migration paths and potential traps within the project area.

Consultants will be used in support of Tasks 1 and 2. Dr. Don Kent and Patty Thomas will be working with SIR geologists, primarily in Saskatchewan, on Paleozoic stratigraphy while Dr. Jim Christopher will focus on Mesozoic stratigraphy. Dan Barchyn will be working with Manitoba geological staff on all Phanerozoic stratigraphy in Manitoba. These consultants have a wealth of experience in the geology of the Williston Basin, and will help ensure the development of a consistent and seamless stratigraphy throughout the study area. Geological assistants Stacey Spooner, in Saskatchewan, and Derek Bogdan, in Manitoba, will provide technical support to Tasks 1 and 2.

5. Current Status The total budget for this two-year TGI is $768,500 with $378,500 budgeted for fiscal year 2003-2004 and $390,000 for 2004-2005. The break-down of total financial contribution to the project is $720,000 from NRCan, $28,500 from Manitoba, and $20,000 from Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have also dedicated significant human resources to the project. At the time of writing (early March 2004), various agreements have yet to be signed before all human and financial resources can be activated in this project.

6. References

Gilboy, C.F., Haidl, F.M., Kreis, L.K., and Burrowes, O.G. (2001): Investigating CO2 storage potential of carbonate rocks during tertiary recovery from a billion barrel oil field, Weyburn, Saskatchewan: Part 1 – the Geoscience Framework (IEA Weyburn CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project); in Summary of Investigations 2001, Volume 1, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Energy Mines, Misc. Rep. 2001-4.1, p61-63. Whittaker, S.G., Christopher, J., Gilboy, C.F., Haidl, F.M., Kent, D., Kreis, L.K., and Thomas, P. (2002): Geological storage of greenhouse gases in Mississippian carbonates at the Weyburn Field; in Summary of Investigations 2002, Volume 1, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Industry Resources, Misc. Rep. 2002- 4.1, CD-ROM, p73-82.

Saskatchewan Geological Survey 4 Summary of Investigations 2004, Volume 1 Whittaker, S. and Gilboy, C. (2003): IEA Weyburn CO2 Monitoring and Storage Project: Geoscience Framework Update; in Summary of Investigations 2003, Volume 1, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Industry Resources, Misc. Rep. 2003-4.1, CD-ROM, Paper A-7, 9p.

Saskatchewan Geological Survey 5 Summary of Investigations 2004, Volume 1