TITLE:
Petroleum Source-Rock Evaluation and Hydrocarbon Potential in Montney Formation Unconventional Reservoir, Northeastern British Columbia, Canada
AUTHORS:
Edwin I. Egbobawaye
KEYWORDS:
Petroleum, Source-Rock, Rock-Eval, Oil and Gas, Kerogen, Vitrinite Reflectance, Hydrocarbon Reservoir, Montney Formation, Geology, TOC, Tmax, Pyrolysis, Hydrocarbon Generation, British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, WCSB
JOURNAL NAME:
Natural Resources,
Vol.8 No.11,
November
30,
2017
ABSTRACT:
Source-rock characteristics of Lower Triassic Montney Formation presented
in this study shows the total organic carbon (TOC) richness, thermal maturity,
hydrocarbon generation, geographical distribution of TOC and thermal maturity
(Tmax) in Fort St. John study area (T86N, R23W and T74N, R13W) and
its environs in northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin
(WCSB). TOC richness in Montney Formation within the study area is grouped into three categories: low TOC
( 3.5 wt%), and high TOC (>3.5 wt% %). Thermal maturity of the Montney Formation
source-rock indicates that >90% of the analyzed samples are thermally
mature, and mainly within gas generating window (wet gas, condensate gas, and
dry gas), and comprises mixed Type II/III (oil/gas prone kerogen), and Type IV
kerogen (gas prone). Analyses of Rock-Eval parameters (TOC, S2, Tmax,
HI, OI and PI) obtained from 81 samples in 11 wells that penetrated the Montney
Formation in the subsurface of northeastern British Columbia were used to map
source rock quality across the study area. Based on total organic carbon (TOC)
content mapping, geographical distribution of thermal maturity (Tmax)
data mapping, including evaluation and interpretation of Rock-Eval parameters
in the study area, the Montney Formation kerogen is indicative of a pervasively
matured petroleum system in the study area.