Recognition of wave-influenced deltaic and bay-margin sedimentation, Bluesky Formation, Alberta

Research Article| September 01, 2016 Recognition of wave-influenced deltaic and bay-margin sedimentation, Bluesky Formation, Alberta Scott E. Botterill; Scott E. Botterill Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. Gordon Campbell; S. Gordon Campbell Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Eric R. Timmer; Eric R. Timmer Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Murray K. Gingras Murray K. Gingras Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Scott E. Botterill Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 S. Gordon Campbell Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Eric R. Timmer Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Murray K. Gingras Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3 Publisher: Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists Received: 21 Feb 2015 Accepted: 09 Mar 2016 First Online: 13 Jul 2017 Online Issn: 2368-0261 Print Issn: 0007-4802 © the Society of Canadian Petroleum Geologists Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology (2016) 64 (3): 389–414. https://doi.org/10.2113/gscpgbull.64.3.389 Article history Received: 21 Feb 2015 Accepted: 09 Mar 2016 First Online: 13 Jul 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Scott E. Botterill, S. Gordon Campbell, Eric R. Timmer, Murray K. Gingras; Recognition of wave-influenced deltaic and bay-margin sedimentation, Bluesky Formation, Alberta. Bulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology 2016;; 64 (3): 389–414. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gscpgbull.64.3.389 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyBulletin of Canadian Petroleum Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract The late Aptian to early Albian Bluesky Formation of Alberta is characterized by complex vertical and lateral associations of siliciclastic sediments deposited during overall transgression of the Boreal sea. As the Bluesky Formation is host to substantial subsurface bitumen deposits of the Peace River oil sands, a refined understanding of vertical and lateral facies distributions is essential for exploration and exploitation activity. To aid in achieving this goal, high-resolution core logging was completed on a 40 core dataset within Ranges 16–17W5M, and Townships 82–84 (approximately 215 km2). We identify 16 distinct facies comprising 5 facies associations (FA1–FA5). These facies associations include: 1) FA1 – Wave-dominated, fluvially influenced embayment delta; 2) FA2 – Fluvially-dominated, tidally-influenced distributary channel; 3) FA3 – Fluvially and tidally influenced delta; 4) FA4 – Marine-embayment shoreface to offshore; and, 5) FA5 – Mixed energy estuary. The evolution of these facies associations suggest periodic progradation within an overall back-stepping, transgressive, marine-embayment system. Through combination of sedimentary and ichnological characteristics, this research has led to the identification of wave-influenced deltaic and marine-embayment sedimentary environments previously un-documented within the Peace River oil sands. Additionally, proximal-distal depositional trends obscured by the complex facies distributions were identifiable using ichnological criteria. It is intended that the sedimentological and ichnological characteristics identified herein will aid in the recognition of similar embayment-type settings in other ancient datasets. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.