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Southwest Manitoba

Shallow Unconventional Shale Gas Project

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Project Information

Principal investigators:
Michelle P.B. Nicolas; Jim D. Bamburak (retired)

Partnered with:
Manitoba Hydro; University of Calgary

Location:
Southwest Manitoba, 62F, 62G, 62K, and parts of 62J, 62N and 63C

Project Description

Main objectives:

The objective of this project is to improve our knowledge of the shallow gas-bearing Cretaceous formations of southwest Manitoba in order to assess the potential for shallow shale gas in these units as a future resource for Manitoba.

Methodology:

The project comprises of several components all which have the purpose of increasing our knowledge and understanding of these gas-bearing formations. These components include:

Geochemistry and mineralogy analysis of shale samples, includes Rock-Eval 6 and TOC analysis, inorganic multi-element analysis, and mineralogical evaluation by SEM, XRD and thin sections.
Field work and core logging to sample and describe the units and their relationships to each other; compile list of historical gas shows; characterize the gas from existing gas and water wells.
Imaging techniques (SEM and thin section) to understand porosity and grain relationships.
Contour mapping to understand the regional distribution, structure and isopach of the units.
Detailed log analysis to correlate the units in the subsurface.

Benefits:

The project will provide a much needed informational reference to help understand Manitoba’s shallow shale gas prospects and help focus shallow shale gas exploration programs in Manitoba. It will also fill a major knowledge gap in understanding Manitoba’s Cretaceous formations from a hydrocarbon perspective.

Plans for fiscal year 2020–2021:

No activities planned.

Completed outputs:

2017

Shaw, D.J., Nicolas, M.P.B. and Chow, N. 2017: Stratigraphy and geochemistry of the Cretaceous Boyne Member, Carlile Formation, in the Manitoba Potash Corporation core at 3-29-20-29W1, southwestern Manitoba (part of NTS 65K1); in Report of Activities 2017, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 173–182.

Shaw, D. 2017: Stratigraphy, lithofacies analysis, and geochemistry of the Upper Cretaceous Boyne Member, Carlile Formation, southwestern Manitoba; University of Manitoba, B.Sc. thesis, 124 p.

2016

Hosseininejad, S. 2016: Organic, inorganic geochemistry and sedimentology of the Second White Specks Formation, eastern margin of the Western Interior Seaway; Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary; Ph.D. thesis, 334 p.

Nicolas, M.P.B. 2016: Preliminary investigation from the Cretaceous section of the Manitoba Potash Corporation core at 3-29-20-29W1, southwestern Manitoba (NTS 65K1); in Report of Activities 2016, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 150–156.

2015

Nicolas, M.P.B., Newbrey, M.G. and Markstrom, V.L. 2015: A new specimen of Cimolichthys (Aulopiformes, lizardfishes) from the Keld Member, Favel Formation (Upper Cenomanian), Manitoba, Canada; Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 18–20, 2015, poster presentation.

2014

Bamburak, J.D., Martins, T., Nicolas, M.P.B. and Yang, X.M. 2014: Update on the rare-earth element potential of the Gammon Ferruginous Member of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2014, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 123–128.

Muehlbauer, R., Kelly, D.C., Bamburak, J.D. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2014: Late Cretaceous (Santonian–Campanian) marine microfossils of the Manitoba escarpment, southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2014, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 181–186.

Hosseininejad, S., Pedersen, P.K., Spencer, R.J. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2014: Upper Cretaceous (Cenomian-Turonian) organic-rich source rock characterization through organic geochemistry and petrology, application for paleo-condition reconstruction; Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2014, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 19–21, 2014, poster presentation.

2013–14

Bamburak, J.D., Nicolas, M.P.B. and Hatcher, J. 2013: A visual system of correlating bentonite seams in the Pembina Member of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in the Pembina Hills area of Manitoba and North Dakota (abstract); Geological Association of Canada–Mineralogical Association of Canada, Joint Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 22–24, 2013, URL <http://gac.esd.mun.ca/gac_2013/search_abs/sub_program.asp?sess=98&form=10&abs_no=79> [October 11, 2013]

Hosseininejad, S., Pedersen, P.K., Spencer, R. and Nicolas, M.P.B., 2013: Application of XRF to Cretaceous organic-rich, siliciclastic/carbonate mudrocks, eastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba (abstract); Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists–Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysists–Canadian Well Logging Society Conference, Calgary, Alberta, May 6–10, 2013; extended abstracts; 2 p.. URL < http://geoconvention.org/archives/2013abstracts/233_GC2013_Application_of_XRF.pdf > [January 7, 2014]

Hosseininejad, S., Pedersen, P.K., Spencer, R. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2013: Integrated Sedimentary Geochemistry of a Cretaceous Potential Shallow Shale Gas Reservoir, western Manitoba, Canada (abstract); American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Annual Convention and Exhibition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 19–22, 2013, URL<http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/abstracts/html/2013/90163ace/abstracts/hos.htm?q=%2BtextStrip%3Apedersen > [October 11, 2013]

Nicolas, M.P.B., Bamburak, J.D., Hosseininejad, S. and Pedersen, P.K. 2013: Mineralogy, geochemistry and facies variations of a potential shallow shale gas play within the Cretaceous Carlile and Favel formations, southwestern Manitoba (abstract); Geological Association of Canada–Mineralogical Association of Canada, Joint Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 22–24, 2013, URL <http://gac.esd.mun.ca/gac_2013/search_abs/sub_program.asp?sess=98&form=11&abs_no=195> [October 11, 2013].

Bamburak, J.D.,Nicolas, M.P.B., Hatcher, J., and Yang, X.M. 2013: Rare-earth element potential of the Gammon Ferruginous Member of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2013, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 123–128.

Bamburak, J.D.,Nicolas, M.P.B., and Hatcher, J. 2013: Radiometric dating of Late Cretaceous bentonite beds in southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2013, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 129–136.

Nicolas, M.P.B., Bamburak, J.D. and Hosseininejad, S. 2013: Preliminary stratigraphic correlation of subsurface and outcrop sections of the Favel Formation, southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2013, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 137–143.

Nicolas, M.P.B., Bamburak, J.D. and Hosseininejad, S. in press: Preliminary stratigraphic correlation of subsurface and outcrop sections of the Favel Formation, southwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 20–22, 2013, poster presentation.

Bamburak, J.D.,Nicolas, M.P.B., and Hatcher, J. in press: Visual correlation of bentonite beds in the Upper Cretaceous Pembina and Boyne members in the Pembina Hills area, Manitoba and North Dakota. Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 20–22, 2013, poster presentation.

2012

Hosseininejad, S., Pedersen, P.K., Spencer, R.J. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2012: Mineralogy, geochemistry and facies description of a potential Cretaceous shale gas play in western Manitoba (part of NTS 63K12); in Report of Activities 2012, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 151–159.

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Bamburak, J.D. 2012: Update on the Shallow Unconventional Gas Project, southwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 62C, F, G, H, J, K, N, O, 63C); in Report of Activities 2012, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 134–140.

Bamburak, J.D., Hatcher, J. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2012: Chemostratigraphy, paleontology and mineral potential of the Gammon Ferruginous Member of the Cretaceous Pierre Shale in southwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 62F, G, H, J, K, N, O, 63C, F); in Report of Activities 2012, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 141–150.

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Bamburak, J.D. 2012: RockEval™ 6, X-ray diffraction and inorganic geochemistry of Cretaceous shale drill-cutting and outcrop samples, southwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Data Repository Item DRI2012003, Microsoft Excel® file.

Hosseininejad, S., Pedersen, P.K., Spencer, R.J. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2012: Mineralogy, sedimentology and facies description of a potential Cretaceous shale gas play in western Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention 2012, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 15–17, 2012, poster presentation.

Bamburak, J.D., Hatcher, J., and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2012: Visual correlations of bentonite seams in the Upper Cretaceous Pembina Member in the Pembina Hills area, Manitoba and North Dakota; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention 2012, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 15–17, 2012, poster presentation.

Hosseininejad Mohebati, S., Pedersen, P.K., Spencer, R.J., and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2012: Mineralogy, sedimentology and facies description of a potential Cretaceous shale gas play in western Manitoba; Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Geoconvention, May 14–18, 2012, Calgary, Alberta; poster; http://www.geoconvention.com/uploads/2012abstracts/112_GC2012_Mineralogy_Sedimentology_and_Facies_Description.pdf [date of access: June 19, 2012].

2011

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Bamburak, J.D. 2011: Geochemistry and mineralogy of Cretaceous shale, southwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 62F, G, J, K, J, N and 63C): phase 2 results; in Report of Activities 2011, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 158–165.

Bamburak, J.D., Nicolas, M.P.B., Corkery, M.T. and Syme, E.C. 2011: "Burning" Cretaceous oil shale and shallow gas shows in Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2011, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 17–19, 2011, poster presentation.

Nicolas, M.P.B. 2011: Shale gas to Three Forks: Manitoba Geological Survey’s petroleum and stratigraphic investigations; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Williston Basin Petroleum Conference 2011, Regina, Saskatchewan, May 1–3, 2011, oral presentation.

2010

Nicolas, M.P.B, Edmonds, S.T., Chow, N., and Bamburak, J.D., 2010: Shallow unconventional Cretaceous shale gas in southwestern Manitoba: an update (parts of NTS 62C, F, G. H, J, K, N); in Report of Activities 2010, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 159–169.

Bamburak, J.D., and Nicolas, M.P.B., 2010: Gammon Ferruginous Member of the Cretaceous Pierre Shale in southwestern Manitoba: distribution and mineral potential (parts of NTS 62F, G, J, K, N, O, 63C); in Report of Activities 2010, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 170–177.

Nicolas, M.P.B., and Bamburak, J.D., 2010: Cretaceous shale gas in southwest Manitoba: an Antrim Shale analogue?; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2010, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 18–20, 2010, poster presentation.

Nicolas, M.P.B., Matile, G.L.D., Keller, G.R., Bamburak, J.D. 2010: Phanerozoic geology of southern Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Stratigraphic Map Series, Map 2010-1, 2 map set Sheet A: Paleozoic, Sheet B: Phanerozoic Available for free download. scale 1:600 000.

2009

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Bamburak, J.D. 2009: Cretaceous shale gas prospects of southwestern Manitoba: preliminary results (abstract); Williston Basin Petroleum Conference and Prospect Expo 2009, Regina, Saskatchewan; URL <http://www.wbpc.ca/assets/File/Presentation/11_Nicolas_Manitoba.pdf> [April 26, 2009]; oral presentation.

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Bamburak, J.D. 2009: Cretaceous shale gas prospects of southwestern Manitoba: preliminary results; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Williston Basin Petroleum Conference and Prospect Expo 2009, Regina, Saskatchewan, April 26–28, 2009, oral presentation.

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Bamburak, J.D. 2009: Shallow unconventional Cretaceous shale gas in southwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, CSPG CSEG CWLS Joint Annual Convention 2009, Calgary, Alberta, May 3–7, 2009, poster presentation.

Bamburak, J.D. 2008: Geochemistry of Upper Cretaceous shale in southwestern Manitoba (NTS 63F, G, H4): potential reservoir rocks for shallow unconventional shale gas ; in Report of Activities 2008, Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 180–184.

Bamburak, J.D. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2009: Revised Cretaceous Stratigraphic Nomenclature of Southwest Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2009, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 19–21, 2009, poster presentation.

Bamburak, J.D. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2009: Mineral potential of Mesozoic rocks in southwest Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2009, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 19–21, 2009, poster presentation.
Panel 1
Panel 2

Nicolas, M.P.B., Bamburak, J.D., Grasby, S.E. and Edmonds, S. 2009: Cretaceous shallow unconventional shale gas in southwest Manitoba - Evidence for biogenic gas resource; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2009, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 19–21, 2009, poster presentation.

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Bamburak, J.D. 2009: Geochemistry and mineralogy of Cretaceous shale, Manitoba (parts of NTS 62C, F, G, H, J, K, H): preliminary results; in Report of Activities 2009, Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 165–174.

Nicolas, M.P.B. and Grasby, S.E. 2009: Water and gas chemistry of Cretaceous shale aquifers and gas reservoirs of the Pembina Hills area, southwest Manitoba (parts of NTS 62G); in Report of Activities 2009, Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 175–182.

Fedikow, M.A.F., Bezys, R.K., Nicolas, M.P.B. and Prince, P. 2009: Preliminary results of soil geochemistry surveys in support of shallow gas exploration, Manitou area, southwest Manitoba (NTS 62G2); in Report of Activities 2009, Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 193–206.

Fedikow, M.A.F., Bezys, R.K., Nicolas, M.P.B. and Prince, P. 2009; Preliminary results of soil geochemistry surveys in support of shallow gas exploration, Manitou area, Manitoba; SGS Mineral Services Mobile Metal Ions Workshop, Northwest Mining Association Meeting, Reno, Nevada, December, 2009; oral presentation.

Edmonds, S. 2009; Porosity analysis of the Babcock Beds, Boyne Member, Carlile Formation, southwestern Manitoba; University of Manitoba, Dept. of Geological Sciences, unpublished technical report, 25 p.

2008

Bamburak, J.D. 2008: Geochemistry of Upper Cretaceous shale in southwestern Manitoba (NTS 63F, G, H4): potential reservoir rocks for shallow unconventional shale gas; in Report of Activities 2008, Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 180–184.

Nicolas, M.P.B., and Bamburak, J.D. 2008: Cretaceous unconventional shale gas potential of southwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2008, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 20–22, 2008, poster presentation.

Nicolas, M.P.B. 2008: Summary report on petroleum and stratigraphic investigations, southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2008, Manitoba Science, Technology, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 171–179.