Open File Report 2008-09

Geochemical and Sedimentological Investigation of the Colorado Group for Shale Gas Potential: Initial Results

Authors: Rokosh, C.D.; Pawlowicz, J.G.; Berhane, H.; Anderson, S.D.A.; Beaton, A.P.

Executive Summary

ERCB/AGS has embarked on a project to quantify shale gas resources in the province. We collected 74 outcrop samples and 203 samples from core from the Colorado Group. A series of ten analyses were run on selective samples, including isotherm, Rock-Eval 6, TOC, organic petrology, bulk mineralogy, clay mineralogy, permeameter, helium and mercury porosimetry, scanning electron microscope, environmental scanning electron microscope, and thin sections. Gas capacity has been calculated on a BCF/Sq. mile basis assuming a base case of 100% desorption and also a case assuming 25% free gas. A few thin sections and electron microscope descriptions are included with the remainder available when descriptions are complete.

Place Keywords: 72e; 72l; 72m; 73d; 73e; 73l; 73m; 74d; 74e; 74l; 74m; 82g; 82h; 82i; 82j; 82n; 82o; 82p; 83a; 83b; 83c; 83d; 83e; 83f; 83g; 83h; 83i; 83j; 83k; 83l; 83m; 83n; 83o; 83p; 84a; 84b; 84c; 84d; 84e; 84f; 84g; 84h; 84i; 84j; 84k; 84l; 84m; 84n; 84o; 84p; alberta; canada

Theme Keywords: colorado group; geochemical; geology; resource assessment; sedimentological framework; shale gas; unconventional gas