Post-Conference Field Trips
Post-Conference Field Trip 10 | American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Folds, Faults and Hydrocarbons in the Southern Canadian Cordillera — Principles and Practices
| Coure Dates: | Thursday, 16 September–Friday, 17 September, 08:00–17:00 |
| Trip Dates: | Saturday, 18 September, 17:00—Sunday, 19 September, 17:00 Departs from and returns to downtown Calgary – one block east of the Calgary Tower |
| Leader: | Peter B. Jones (International Tectonic Consultants, Ltd., Calgary, AB, Canada) |
| Fee: | Professional US $1,595 +5% GST (increases to US $1,695 after 13 August) Student (Limited) US $800 +5% GST (increases to US $850 +5% GST after 13 August) |
| Includes: | Course notes, refreshments, lunches, guidebook, field trip transportation, and one night’s lodging based on double occupancy |
| Limit: | 25 people |
| Content: | 2.5 CEU; 25 PDH |
The course and field trip are designed for mid- to senior level exploration geologists and geophysicists. The objective of this course is to develop an understanding of the geometric, mechanical and allied factors governing the entrapment of hydrocarbons in structurally controlled reservoirs. The theme — no oil or gas field is entirely unique — is illustrated by examples from different structural settings and emphasized by workshop problems. Participants should complete the course capable of recognizing potential hydrocarbon traps in new and mature regions of exploration and development.
The two-day classroom portion of the course will focus on key topics including:
Day One
- Problems with fault terminology. Physical properties of layered sedimentary rocks.
- Thrust and wedge tectonics. The role of overpressure in deformation.
- Duplex structures — the most important reservoirs in fold and thrust belts.
- Wedge tectonics and increased of hydrocarbon potential worldwide.
Day Two
- Developing new exploration plays from existing seismic and geologic data.
- Balanced cross-sections, laboratory models and their limitations.
- Exploration case histories.
Days Three and Four — Two-Day Field Trip: Southern Canadian Rocky Mountains and Foothills from the Triangle Zone to the Rocky Mountain Trench.
The two-day transect extends from the east edge of the foothills to the west limit of the Rocky Mountains, marked by the Rocky Mountain Trench. Initially the route crosses the Triangle Zone into the foothills and Rockies, crosses five gas fields and follows the Lewis thrust southward along the Continental Divide. Beyond the Divide, the route crosses the flathead extensional fault, leading into the Fernie coal basin, whose west edge is an exhumed triangle zone. The trip overnights in the town of Fernie, British Columbia.
On the second day, the trip continues westward to the Rocky Mountain Trench, a tectonic and physiographic lineament stretching from Montana to Alaska. Returning eastward, the route includes stops at a regional-scale gravity glide before traversing the Lewis thrust sheet at the Crowsnest Pass. Further east, participants will visit the interpretive centre at the smaller but famous Frank Slide, a catastrophic and fatal rock slide caused by coal mining. The route finally follows the Triangle Zone back to Calgary via the Turner Valley oilfield.
Note: No special gear is required, but mountain passes reach elevations up to 7,000 ft (2100m) and evenings in the valleys are cool.
Post-Conference Field Trip 11 | Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG)
Triassic Rocks of the Kananaskis Valley — A Montney Formation Outcrop Analogue
| Dates: | Friday, 17 September, 08:00–18:30 Departs from and returns to downtown Calgary – one block east of the Calgary Tower |
| Leader: | Dan Edwards (Krishelle Enterprises Ltd., Priddis, AB, Canada) |
| Fee: | Professional US $275 +5% GST | Student (Limited) US $140 +5% GST |
| Includes: | Guidebook, transportation, lunch and refreshments |
| Limit: | 21 people |
| Content: | 8 PDH |
This one-day field seminar to the Kananaskis Valley in the nearby front ranges of the Rocky Mountains will examine the Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation at easily accessible outcrops. These rocks are a good analogue for similar aged Montney Formation reservoirs in the Peace River Arch area of Alberta and British Columbia. The Montney Formation has long been a target for conventional reservoirs from a variety of facies. It is currently enjoying resurgence as a world class unconventional reservoir. During the four geological stops we will see a variety of facies from deep to shallow water, including organic shales, sands and a turbidite complex. The outcrops are in a near vertical position which allows for a unique perspective walking across, and parallel to bedding planes. Stream cuts allow for a more three dimensional perspective.
A box lunch will be available and enjoyed at a small waterfall across a sequence boundary (Lower-Middle Montney equivalent). The final stop of the day is at the Delta Kananaskis Lodge, where the day’s insights can be discussed over refreshments.
Note: This trip is in the mountains, so please dress accordingly. Further details will be provided prior to the trip.
Post-Conference Field Trip 12 | Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG)
Shales and Sandstones of the Upper Cretaceous in the Southern Alberta Foothills; Outcrop Analogs of Shale and Thin Bedded Shelf, Pro-Deltaic and Shoreface Sandstone Reservoirs CANCELED
| Dates: | Friday, 17 September, 08:00–Saturday, 18 September 18:00 Departs from and returns to downtown Calgary – one block east of the Calgary Tower |
| Leaders: | Per Kent Pedersen (University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada) and Karsten S. Nielsen (Plain Entity, Calgary, AB, Canada) |
| Fee: | Professional US $725 +5% GST Student (Limited) US $365 +5% GST |
| Includes: | Guidebook, transportation, one night’s lodging based on double occupancy, lunches, refreshments and dinner |
| Limit: | 25 people |
| Content: | 16 PDH |
In this field seminar, outcrops of some of the major shale and sandstone intervals of southern Alberta will be examined, including the Upper Colorado Group and Milk River Formation, which hosts large gas accumulations in the Canadian Plains.
We will discuss and compare the sedimentology, bedform architecture, sedimentary and reservoir facies, depositional environments and the organic geochemistry of the various units. In addition, we will examine key stratigraphic surfaces and tie them to producing pools in the subsurface of the Alberta Basin, and place the outcrops within paleo-environmental and paleogeographic context.
During the course the following questions will be discussed:
How do we recognize and correlate sequence stratigraphic surfaces within shale dominated successions, and which tools should be used?
How to recognize major clinoforms and the sequence stratigraphic aspect of shaly intervals, and does it matter for evaluating shale and thin bedded gas potential and identifying fairways within thick shale dominated clastic wedges?
Note: Most outcrops are along rivers so expect to get wet feet. Bring extra socks and boots. Also, there are some steep slopes on the banks of Highwood River. Bring clothes for all kinds of weather and sunscreen.
Post-Conference Field Trip 13 | Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG)
Geology of the Athabasca Oil Sands: Exploring an Oil Field in Outcrop CANCELED
| Dates: | Friday, 17 September, 08:00–Saturday, 18 September, 17:30 Departs from and returns to the Fort McMurray Airport, AB, Canada) Participants must arrange their own flights to and from Fort McMurray. |
| Leaders: | Mike Ranger and Murray Gingras (University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada) |
| Fee: | Professional US $2,275 +5% GST Student (Limited) US $1,140 +5% GST |
| Includes: | Guidebook, lunch, breakfast, one night’s lodging based on double occupancy and local transportation in and from Fort McMurray (dinners not included) |
| Limit: | 17 people |
| Content: | 16 PDH |
This field seminar to the Fort McMurray area provides an excellent opportunity to observe the geology of the Athabasca Oil Sands, as well as the mining technology related to recovery of the bitumen. Numerous outcrops along the Athabasca, Christina and Steepbank Rivers will be visited by high speed jet boat and helicopter. These outcrops in and around Fort McMurray will be explored in order to expose the participants to the stratigraphy, sedimentology and facies associations of the McMurray Formation. The trip includes a fly-over of the open pit Suncor Mine.
The McMurray Formation is a complex deltaic system, initially tide-dominated, evolving to become wave-dominated towards the top. Alluvial, estuarine and marine distal, as well as offshore marine environments will be examined in detail and placed in regional context. Concepts regarding the sedimentology and stratigraphy of the McMurray Formation will be discussed and demonstrated. This provides a context for discussion of reservoir heterogeneity and distribution of resource.
Trace fossils have provided key evidence for the interpretation of the McMurray Formation. This trip provides a unique opportunity to observe this evidence, which can also be directly applied to core studies. Brackish trace fossil suites are well-developed in the McMurray Formation, and will be compared to marine trace fossil suites in the overlying Clearwater Formation. The basal bitumen/water contact is exposed at several locations, providing the context for a field discussion of the migration, timing, and trapping mechanism of the Athabasca bitumen as well as the regional structure of the basin.
Post-Conference Field Trip 14 | Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG)
Regional Aspects of Marine and Non-Marine Sandstone Gas Reservoirs: Belly River Group, Southern Alberta Plains CANCELED
| Dates: | Friday, 17 September, 07:00–Saturday, 18 September, 17:00 Departs from and returns to downtown Calgary – one block east of the Calgary Tower |
| Leaders: | Jim Barclay and Andy Vogan (ConocoPhillips Canada, Calgary, AB, Canada) and David Eberth (Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller, AB, Canada) |
| Fee: | Professional US $850 +5% GST Student (Limited) US $425 +5% GST |
| Includes: | Guidebook, transportation, one night’s lodging based on double occupancy, lunches, refreshments and dinner |
| Limit: | 16 people |
| Content: | 16 PDH |
This field seminar is designed for exploration and development geoscientists, production engineers, E&P managers or anyone wanting a comprehensive review of sandstone reservoirs. We will visit terrific outcrop examples of fluvial channel, shoreline, offshore rocks and their relationships that form exact analogies for the main gas sandstone reservoirs in the Western Canada Basin and many world basins. The intent of the trip is to see and visualize reservoirs rocks in terms of their variability, geometries, and maybe most importantly, their size or scale. We will examine the sedimentology and stratigraphic arrangement of the sandstones, often in expansive threedimensional outcrops. We will also look closely at the actual grains and porosity and internal reservoir character of the sandstones.
We will see fluvial channel sections with fluvial channel, channel margin and off-channel floodplain facies in the Medicine Hat area and Dinosaur Provincial Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for dinosaur fossils). These Belly River outcrops are the same rocks that produce from extensive shallow gas fields in Alberta.
Note: Instructors will be taking all necessary precautions to avoid risks. The trip is weather-dependent; excessive rain before or during the trip could cause trip cancellation. Participants should be in reasonable physical shape to participate in moderate hiking. Hiking boots are mandatory. Open-toed shoes/sandals are not permitted for the semi-desert. Expect a variety of weather conditions (extreme heat, rain, thunderstorms, cold winds, even snowstorms). Participants should bring clothing for hot and cold weather. A hat and sunscreen are essential. There are slight risks of the following: tripping or falling, sunburn, heatstroke, small cactus and rattlesnakes.
Post-Conference Field Trip 15 | Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM)
Tidal Deposits Including Sandy Inclined Heterolithic Stratification (IHS) at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Alberta – An Analog for the McMurray Formation
| Dates: | Friday, 17 September, 16:00–Sunday, 19 September, 17:00 Departs from and returns to downtown Calgary – one block east of the Calgary Tower |
| Leaders: | Dale A. Leckie (Nexen Inc., Calgary, AB, Canada), John Suter and Mark Dahl (ConocoPhillips, Calgary, AB, Canada) and Stephen Hubbard (Department of Geosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada) |
| Fee: | Professional US $500 +5% GST Student (Limited) US $250 +5% GST |
| Includes: | Transportation, two nights’ lodging based on double occupancy, guidebook, lunches and Saturday social event |
| Limit: | 20 people |
| Content: | 16 PDH |
Brought to the surface along the axis of the Sweet Grass Arch, sediments of the Santonian Virgelle Member (Milk River Fm) outcrop along several kilometers of superbly exposed 3-D hoodoos formed along the meltwater channel of the Milk River in Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, southeastern Alberta. The sediments were deposited in a mixed energy coastline as tidally-influenced fluvial-estuarine deposits or as a tidal-inlet complex. 3-D exposures of tidal deposits similar to those of the McMurray Formation and other tidally-influenced reservoirs, including sandy and muddy IHS, allow detailed observations of lateral and vertical variability that permit better visualization and understanding of these complex stratigraphic relationships.
Post-Conference Field Trip 16 | Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG)
An Upper Cretaceous Tide-Dominated Delta in the Eagle Formation of North-Central Montana: Milk River Formation Low-Permeability Reservoir Equivalent CANCELED
| Dates: | Friday, 17 September, 11:00–Monday, 20 September, 22:00 Departs from and returns to downtown Calgary – one block east of the Calgary Tower); U.S. participants may join or leave the trip at Great Falls, MT, USA, with prior notification. |
| Leader: | Shaun O’Connell (Belfield Resources Inc., Calgary, AB, Canada) |
| Fee: | Professional US $825 +5% GST Student (Limited) US $415 +5% GST |
| Includes: | Breakfast, lunch, group dinner the first night (other dinners are not included), drinks and three nights’ lodging based on double occupancy, transportation and guidebook |
| Limit: | 18 people |
| Content: | 24 PDH |
This field seminar visits a scenic area of north-central Montana where the Upper Cretaceous Eagle Formation is exposed within the deeply incised Judith River valley and its tributaries. There is a dual focus to this trip: (1) to examine a world-class section of clastic tidal sediments that have only recently been described for the first time; and (2) to examine the outcrop equivalent of the Alderson Member of the Milk River Formation, a complex succession of very fine-grained muddy marine sediments that host the giant low-permeability unconventional gas fields of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
There are two stacked prograding shoreface cycles in the Upper Eagle Member that were deposited in tide-influenced river deltas. These laterally extensive cycles are up to 10 metres thick, and are prominent cliff-forming units. There is an upwardcoarsening facies trend, from shallow marine tidal bars, to subtidal channels, intertidal bars, and tidally-influenced fluvial channels. Steep, seaward-dipping clinoform bedding is present, accompanied by mass-flow deposits.
Tidal influence is indicated by: (1) mud drapes or mud couplets; (2) lateral thickness variations – neap-spring cycles and sigmoidal bedding; (3) diurnal thickness variations; (4) uni- and bidirectional reactivation surfaces; (5) oppositely dipping ripple and dune scale strata; and (6) herringbone cross-bedding.
Note: Participants must have the ability to hike approximately 3km over rugged terrain, and be able to scramble up and down steep slopes. Good hiking boots are essential, hiking gaiters are highly recommended. A geological hammer or small pick is also highly recommended.
