Sedimentology and reservoir characterization of the Lower Mississippian Pekisko formation, Hawk Hills and Swan Hills areas, Alberta

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Petroleum exploration and development activity in western Canada has undergone a major revival in recent years as the result of significant advances in drilling and completion technology. Many formations that have large oil-in-place reserves in low permeability reservoir rocks, such as the Mississippian-age Pekisko Formation in Alberta, are being re-examined for their potential to be developed using "state-of-the-art" horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. These resource plays require a thorough understanding of the stratigraphy and sedimentology of the formation and detailed reservoir characterization in order to be economically successful. The proposed project will contribute to the development of Pekisko resource plays by investigating the formation in the Hawk Hills and Swan Hills areas in Alberta. The project is a partnership with ARC Resources Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta. A multi-disciplinary approach will be used which includes (1) characterizing and interpreting the sedimentation pattern of the carbonate platform deposits, (2) describing the post-depositional features and interpreting their sequence of formation, (3) using geochemical techniques to assess the influence of biological processes, paleotemperature and rock-water interactions on post-depositional alteration, and (4) evaluating the factors that control porosity and permeability in reservoir rocks. The results of the project will help refine geological models for the evolution of the vast Pekisko carbonate platform and for the origin of Mississippian petroleum reservoir rocks. These results may be used by ARC Resources and other companies to more effectively and economically develop their resource plays in the Pekisko Formation. New exploration and development activities will have a positive effect for Canada through job creation and economic growth. The project will help to address the trend of decreasing numbers of geoscientists working in the Canadian petroleum industry by providing career-related training of highly qualified personnel.