Background“Tight gas” lacks a formal definition, and usage of the term varies considerably. Law and Curtis (2002) defined low-permeability (tight) reservoirs as having permeabilities less than 0.1 millidarcies. Many explorationists think of tight or low-permeability reservoirs as occurring only within basin-centered, or deep basin settings.
Tight gas reservoirs occur throughout Northeastern BC. Three distinct regions can be recognized, based upon structural and stratigraphic characteristics.
1. Deep Basin – Characterized by stacked Mesozoic clastic reservoirs, each regionally pervasive and gas-saturated, containing abnormally-pressured gas accumulations lacking downdip water contacts. The updip (northeastern) boundary of the Deep Basin is somewhat nebulous, as each reservoir unit has its own updip edge.
2. Foothills – Tight gas reservoirs of various ages and types produce where structural deformation creates extensive natural fracture systems. To the northeast, reservoir quality tends to be more conventional and fracturing plays a lesser role.
3. Northern Plains – Laterally extensive tight gas reservoirs produce where relatively subtle natural fractures can be exploited with horizontal drilling and advanced stimulation techniques. Only one unit, the Jean Marie platform carbonate, is an established producer.
Studies1. Exploration Assessment of Tight Gas Plays Northeastern British Columbia
Ministry of Energy and Mines, New Ventures Branch
Petroleum Geology Open File 2003-3
Title Pages ( 400KB)
Executive Summary ( 225KB)
Table of Contents ( 265KB)
Introduction ( 1MB)
Geological Review of Tight Gas Reservoir Units ( 23MB) RAR 1 2 3
Exploration Analysis ( 310KB)
Analogue Basins and Plays ( 230KB)
Exploitation Strategies for Tight Gas Reservoirs ( 300KB)
References ( 240KB)
Appendix 1 Outcrop Photographs ( 5.4MB)
Appendix 2 Core Photographs ( 26MB) RAR 1 2 3
Appendix 3 Photomicrographs ( 13MB)
Appendix 4 Petrography Table ( 235KB)
Appendix 5 AppleCoreTM Core Descriptions ( 2MB)
Stratigraphic Cross-Section ( 44MB) RAR 1 2 3 4
Situation Maps ( 24MB) RAR 1 2 3
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Brochures1. Tight Gas Potential in Northeast British Columbia ( 1.5MB)
A promotional brochure on tight gas potential in Northeast British Columbia. This is a summary of Ministry of Energy and Mines Petroleum Geology Open File 2003-3 "Exploration Assessment of Tight Gas Plays, Northeastern British Columbia".
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