Sedimentology, ichnology, and resource characteristics of the low-permeability Alderson Member, Hatton Gas Pool, southwest Saskatchewan, Canada

• Author / Creator

  Lemiski, Ryan Thomas

• The Upper Cretaceous Alderson Member is a prolific gas (biogenic) producer in western Canada. In the Hatton Gas Pool area (southwest Saskatchewan), Alderson Member strata from ten drill-cores have been examined and classified based on sedimentological and ichnological character. Core analysis has determined that Alderson Member deposits comprise thick intervals of pervasively bioturbated strata. Using spot-minipermeametry and high-pressure mercury injection porosimetry methods, the influence of pervasively bioturbated intervals on the overall resource potential of Alderson Member strata is evaluated. Results from permeability and porosity testing demonstrate that pervasively bioturbated rock fabrics appear to locally enhance the overall storage and vertical transmission of gas from Alderson Member reservoirs.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • High-pressure mercury injection porosimetry
  • Low-permeability
  • Biogenic gas
  • Pervasively bioturbated intervals
  • Hatton Gas Pool
  • Gas shale
  • Alderson Member
  • Spot-minipermeametry
  • Biogenically enhanced permeability

• Graduation date

  Spring 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3WK96

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.