AER/AGS Open File Report 2019-04 Regional Stratigraphic Correlation and 3D Geological Modelling of West-Central Alberta AER/AGS Open File Report 2019-04 Regional Stratigraphic Correlation and 3D Geological Modelling of West-Central Alberta H.J. Corlett, T.L. Playter, M. Babakhani, B. Hathway, J.T. Peterson and K.E. MacCormack Alberta Energy Regulator Alberta Geological Survey June 2019 ©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Alberta, 2019 ISBN 978-1-4601-3982-0 The Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey (AER/AGS), 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 references to proprietary software and/or any use of proprietary data formats do not constitute endorsement by AER/AGS of any manufacturer’s product. If you use information from this publication in other publications or presentations, please acknowledge the AER/AGS. We recommend the following reference format: Corlett, H.J., Playter, T.L., Babakhani, M., Hathway, B., Peterson, J.T. and MacCormack, K.E. (2019): Regional stratigraphic correlation and 3D geological modelling of west-central Alberta; Alberta Energy Regulator / Alberta Geological Survey, AER/AGS Open File Report 2019-04, 53 p. Publications in this series have undergone only limited review and are released essentially as submitted by the author. Published June 2019 by: Alberta Energy Regulator Alberta Geological Survey 4th Floor, Twin Atria Building 4999 – 98th Avenue Edmonton, AB T6B 2X3 Canada Tel: 780.638.4491 Fax: 780.422.1459 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ags.aer.ca AER/AGS Open File Report 2019-04 • iii Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................... viii Abstract…. ................................................................................................................................................... ix 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Geological Background......................................................................................................................... 1 2.1 Paleozoic ....................................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Mesozoic to Cenozoic ................................................................................................................... 5 3 Methods................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 Stratigraphic Correlation ............................................................................................................... 5 3.2 Modelling ...................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2.1 2.5D Surface Modelling ...................................................................................................... 6 3.2.2 Eroded Formations .............................................................................................................. 7 3.2.3 Unconformities: Sub-Permian, Sub-Triassic, Sub-Jurassic, and Sub-Cretaceous .............. 7 3.3 Building the 3D Model ................................................................................................................. 8 3.3.1 Reefs and Onlapping Surfaces ............................................................................................ 8 3.3.2 Modelling Wedge-Shaped Formations (Cardium and Dunvegan Formations) ................ 10 3.3.3 Unconformities ................................................................................................................. 10 4 Results: Formation Extents, Pick Criteria, and Reference Wells ........................................................ 12 4.1 Precambrian Basement ................................................................................................................ 12 4.2 Watt Mountain Formation ........................................................................................................... 12 4.2.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 13 4.2.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 13 4.3 Swan Hills Formation / Slave Point Formation .......................................................................... 13 4.3.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 13 4.3.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 13 4.4 Waterways Formation ................................................................................................................. 16 4.4.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 16 4.4.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 16 4.5 Majeau Lake Formation .............................................................................................................. 16 4.5.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 16 4.5.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 16 4.6 Leduc Formation ......................................................................................................................... 17 4.6.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 17 4.6.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 17 4.7 Duvernay Formation ................................................................................................................... 17 4.7.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 17 4.7.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 18 4.8 Ireton Formation and the Z-Marker Horizon .............................................................................. 18 4.8.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 18 4.8.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 18 4.9 Nisku Formation ......................................................................................................................... 18 4.9.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 19 4.9.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 19 4.10 Calmar Formation ....................................................................................................................... 19 4.10.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 19 4.10.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 19 4.11 Graminia Formation .................................................................................................................... 20 4.11.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 20 4.11.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 20 4.12 Wabamun Group ......................................................................................................................... 20 AER/AGS Open File Report 2019-04 • iv 4.12.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 20 4.12.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 20 4.13 Exshaw Formation ...................................................................................................................... 21 4.13.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 21 4.13.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 21 4.14 Banff Formation .......................................................................................................................... 21 4.14.1 Stratigraphic Interval and Extent ...................................................................................... 21 4.14.2 Pick Criteria and Reference Wells .................................................................................... 21 4.15 Pekisko Formation .....................................................................................................................