Grosmont Formation

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Grosmont Formation
Stratigraphic range: Frasnian
Type Geological formation
Unit of Woodbend Group
Sub-units Hondo Member
Underlies Nisku Formation, McMurray Formation
Overlies Ireton Formation, Duvernay Formation
Thicknessup to 230 metres (750 ft) [1]
Lithology
Primary Limestone, dolomite
Other siltstone, shale
Location
Coordinates 58°22′N114°55′W / 58.367°N 114.917°W / 58.367; -114.917 (Grosmont Formation)
Region WCSB
CountryCanada
Extent100,000 square kilometres (38,610 sq mi)
Type section
Named for Grosmont, Alberta
Named byH.R. Belyea, 1952

The Grosmont Formation is a stratigraphical unit of Frasnian age in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.

Contents

It takes the name from the hamlet of Grosmont, Alberta, and was first described in well Imperial Grosmont No. 1, in 13-17-67-23W4M, central Alberta by H.R. Belyea in 1952. [2]

Lithology

The Formation is composed of limestone and dolomite with minor argillaceous dolomite, siltstone and shale. [1] Anhydrite and anhydritic dolomite occur in the upper part (Hondo Member) in the west and south. Porous and fractured dolomite is predominant in the eastern extent of the Formation.

Hydrocarbon production

Bitumen is present from the Grosmont Formation in north-eastern Alberta. The Energy Resources Conservation Board of Alberta estimates 406 billion barrels bitumen in place. [3] While most reserves can not be extracted economically with current technology, several production pilots target the Grosmont Formation.

The first attempts to produce oil from the Grosmont dates back to the 1970s, when the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority and industry partners Union Oil Canada and Chevron Resources Canada conducted an unsuccessful production pilot. Companies currently involved in Grosmont exploration include Shell Canada, Laricina Energy, Athabasca Oil Corporation, OSUM Oilsands Corp, Husky Energy and Sunshine Oilsands. [4]

Distribution

The Grosmont Formation occurs mostly in the sub-surface in central and northern Alberta. [1] It was observed in outcrop along the Peace River at Vermilion Chutes at 58°22′N114°55′W / 58.367°N 114.917°W / 58.367; -114.917 (Grosmont Formation)

To the east and north, the Grosmont Formation disappears along the pre-Cretaceous erosional edge. Where present, the Grosmont formation is 100 metres (330 ft) to 230 metres (750 ft) thick.

Relationship to other units

The Grosmont Formation is conformably overlain by the Nisku Formation of the Winterburn Group or by a thin part of the Ireton Formation (to which it is equivalent in the south). It conformably overlays the Ireton Formation or Duvernay Formation. [1] At the subcrop edge at its northeastern limit it is unconformably overlain by the McMurray Formation of the Mannville Group.

The lower Grosmont is equivalent to the Mikkwa Formation in northern Alberta. The entire Grosmont is equivalent to the lower Twin Falls Formation (Alexandra Member) and part of the Hay River Formation in the Northwest Territories.

The Grosmont Formation is part of the Woodbend Group.

Subdivisions

The Hondo Member is an anhydritic sub-division present in the western and southern extents of the Grosmont Formation.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lexicon of Canadian Geologic Units. "Grosmont Formation" . Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  2. ↑ Belyea, H R., 1952. Notes on the Devonian System or the north-central plains of Alberta. Geological Survey of Canada; Belyea, H R ,1956. Grosmont Formation in the Loon Lake area. Journal of the Alberta Society of Petroleum Geologists, v. 4
  3. ↑ Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board. "Alberta 's Reserves 2009 and Supply/Demand Outlook 2010 – 2019" . Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  4. ↑ "Grosmont Carbonate Trend". 8 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
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