Stratigraphic dip analysis - A novel application for detailed geological modeling of point bars, and predicting bitumen grade, mcMurray formation, muskeg River Mine, Northeast Alberta

Natural Resources Research

Volumn 16, Issue 1, 2007, Pages 31-43

  Fustic, Milovan ^a,b,c  

^a Albian Sands Energy Inc   (Canada)

^b CNOOC LTD   (China)

^c UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY   (Canada)

Author keywords

Dip analysis; Dipmeter; Inclined heterolithic stratification (IHS); Oil sands; Point bar; Reservoir architecture

Indexed keywords

EID: 34548241180     PISSN: 15207439     EISSN: 15738981     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s11053-007-9033-x     Document Type: Article

References (27)

1. Bigelow, E. L., 1985, Making more intelligent use of log derived dip information - Part V: Stratigraphic interpretation: The Log Analyst, v. 26, no. 4, p. 21-43.
2. Brekke, H., and Evoy, R., 2004, Use of dipmeter data in the definition of the internal architecture of point bar deposits in the Athabasca oil sands: implications for the Middle McMurray Formation in the Hangingstone Area, Alberta (abst.): Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Ann. Meeting, Dallas, v. 13, p. 17.
3. Carrigy, M. A., 1959, Geology of the McMurray Formation, Part III, general geology of the McMurray area: Alberta Research Council Mem., v. 1, 130 p.
4. Choi, K. S., Dalrympale, R. W., Chun, S. S., and Kim, S., 2004, Sedimentology of modern inclined heterolithic stratification (IHS) in the macrotidal Han River Delta, Korea: Jour. Sed. Research, v. 74, no. 5, p. 677-689.
5. Crain, E. R., 2005a, Crain's Petrophysical Handbook on CD-ROM, (3rd-Millennium Edition): Spectrum. 2000 Mindware Ltd, ISBN 0-9734171-0-2.
6. Crain, E. R., 2005b, Myth interpretation: Insite magazine, Can. Well Logging Soc., v. 24, no. 4, p. 18-19.
7. Cuddy, R. G., and Muwais, W. K., 1989, Channel-fills in the McMurray Formation: their recognition, delineation, and impact at the Syncrude Mine: CIM Bull., v. 82, no. 928, p. 67-74.
8. Flach, P. D., 1977, A lithofaci.es analysis of the McMurray Formation, Lower Steepbank River, Alberta, unpubl. Masters thesis, Univ. Alberta, 139 p.
9. Flach, P. D., 1984, Oil sands geology-Athabasca Deposit North: Alberta Research Council Bull., v. 46, 31 p.
10. Flach, P. D., and Mossop, G. D., 1985, Depositional environments of Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation, Athabasca oil sands, Alberta: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull., v. 69, no. 8, p. 1195-1207.
11. Hayes O' Miles, 2002, Modern clastic depositional environments - Lecture Notes for Field School, Research Planning Inc. sponsored by Am. Assoc. Petroleum. Geologists, variously paginated.
12. Langenberg, C. W., Hein, F. J., Lawton, D., and Cunningham, J., 2002, Seismic modeling of fluvial-estuarine deposits in the Athabasca oil sands using ray-tracing techniques, Steepbank River, northeastern Alberta: Can. Petroleum Geology Bull., v. 50, no. 1 p. 178-203.
13. Leopold, L. B., and Wolman, M. G., 1960, River Meanders: Geol. Soc. America Bull., v. 71, no. 6, p. 769-794.
14. Mossop, G. D., 1980, Geology of the Athabasca oil sands: Science, v. 207, no. 4427, p. 145-152.
15. Mossop, G. D., and Flach, P. D., 1983, Deep channel sedimentation in the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation, Athabasca oil sands, Alberta: Sedimentology, v. 30, no. 4, p. 493-509.
16. Muwais, W. K., 1985, Application of dipmeter measurements for interpreting McMurray Formation depositional environments (abst): Can. Soc. Petroleum Geologists/Petroleum Soc. Can. Inst. Mining Metallurgy, Third Ann. Tech. Meeting, (Edmontor), Programme and Abstracts, p. 70.
17. Muwais, W. K., and Smith, D. G., 1990, Types of channel fills interpreted from dipmeter logs in the McMurray Formation, northeast Alberta: Can. Petroleum Geology Bull, v. 38, no. 1, p. 53-63.
18. Pemberton, S. G., Flach, P. D., and Mossop, G. D., 1982, Trace fossils from the Athabasca oil. sands, Alberta Canada: Science, v. 217, no. 4562, p. 825-827.
19. Smith, D. G., 1985, Modern analogues of the McMurray Formation channel deposits, sedimentology of meso-tidal-influenced meandering river point bars with inclined beds of alternating mud and sand. Alberta Oil. Sands Technology and Research Authority, Final. Rept. for Research Project No. 39.1, Calgary, 78 p.
20. Smith, D. G., 1987, Meandering river point bar lithofacies models: modem and ancient examples compared, in Ethridge, F. G., Flores, R. M., and Harvey, M. D., eds., Recent Developments in Fluvial Sedimentology: Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists Spec. Publ. 39, p. 83-91.
21. Smith. D. G., 1988, Modern point bar deposits analogous to the Athabasca oil sands, Alberta, Canada, in de Boer, P. L., Van Gelder, A., and Nio, S. D., eds., Tide Influenced Sedimentary Environments and Facies: D. Reidel, Dordrecht, p. 417-432.
22. Strobl, R. S., Muwais, W. K., Wightman, D. M., Cotterill, D. K., and Yuan, L. P., 1997, Geological modeling of McMurray Formation reservoirs based on outcrop and subsurface analogues in Pemberton, G. S., and James, D. P., eds., Petroleum. of the Cretaceous Manville Group, Western Canada: Can, Soc. Petroleum Geologists Mem. 18, p. 292-3.11.
23. Thomas, R. G., Smith, D. G., Wood, J. M., Visser, J., Calverley-Range, E. A., and Koster, E. H., 1987, Inclined heterolithic stratification-terminology, description, interpretation and significance: Sedimentary Geology, v. 53, no. 1-2, p. 123-179.
24. Wightman, D. M., MacGillivray, J. R., McPhee, D., Berhane, H., and Berezniuk, T., 1991, McMurray Formation and Wabiskaw Member (Clearwater Formation): Regional perspectives derived from the North Primrose Area, Alberta, Canada, in Meyer, R. F., ed., 5th UNITAR Intern. Conf. on Heavy Crude and Tar Sands: UNITAR Centre for Heavy Crude and Tar Sands, v. 1, p. 285-320.
25. Wightman D. M., Pemberton S. G., 1993, The McMurray Formation: an overview of the surface mineable area, in Oil Sands, Our Petroleum. Future Conference: Alberta Oil Sands Tech. Research Authority (Edmonton), Preprints, p. 3-32.
26. Wightman, D. M., and Pemberton, S. G., 1997, The Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) McMurray Formation: an Overview of the McMurray Area, Northeastern. Alberta, in Pemberton, G. S., and James, D. P., eds., Petroleum Geology of the Cretaceous Lower Manville Group: Western, Canada, Can, Soc. Petroleum Geologists Mem. v. 18, p. 312-344.
27. Williams, G. D., 1963, The Mannville Group (Lower Cretaceous) of central Alberta: Can. Petroleum. Geology Bull., v. 11, no. 4, p. 350-368.