Stratigraphy, geochemistry and reservoir quality of Middle and Upper Devonian shale formations in British Columbia and Alberta

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We propose to carry out a integrated stratigraphic, geochemical and petrophysical analysis of Devonian shale formations in northeastern British Columbia (the Horn River shale sequence) and Alberta (Duvernay Formation). The objectives of this research are to develop (1) reservoir models and petrophysical databases of the western Canada Devonian shales and (2) exploration and development models for shale reservoirs that can be applied elsewhere. These formations, with numerous long cores, a dense network of wells with modern well logs suites, and a well-defined basin architecture, provide an outstanding research opportunity. Shale reservoirs are now recognized as major resources of natural gas and oil, sufficient to substantially reshape Canada's resource base. However the properties that control how hydrocarbons are stored in and flow from these reservoirs - porosity, permeability, fluid saturations and rock mechanical strength - are poorly known, and recovery of oil and gas is relatively inefficient, expensive, and risky. The major aim of this research is to develop geological and petrophysical models that will make development of these resources more effective and reduce the environmental and social footprint. This research will also contribute to our understanding of paleoceanography and sedimentation during a critical time in earth history, bracketing one of the five major extinctions and coincident with the major spread of land plants. The research will have five major components, involving faculty and students in earth science, physics, and engineering. We will: (1) Develop depositional models for the formation; (2) Create a detailed geochemical and petrophysical databases that will provide a rational scheme for projecting rock properties away from areas of well control; (3) Develop geostatistical models for pore systems and for projecting reservoir attributes away from wellbore control; (5) Develop geomechanical models.