| Title | Permafrost investigation by well logs, and seismic velocity and repeated shallow temperature surveys, Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin, Canada |
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| Author | Issler, D ; Hu,
K; Chen, Z; Brent, T; Couture, N |
| Source | Book of abstracts of EUCOP4 - 4th European Conference on Permafrost; 2014 p. 263 |
| Image |  |
| Year | 2014 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20140221 |
| Meeting | EUCOP4 - 4th European Conference on Permafrost; Evora; PT; June 18-21, 2014 |
| Document | book |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Yukon; Northwest Territories |
| NTS | 107; 117 |
| Area | Beaufort-Mackenzie |
| Lat/Long WENS | -142.0000 -128.0000 71.5000 68.0000 |
| Subjects | geophysics; surficial geology/geomorphology; pressure-temperature conditions; temperature; permafrost; freezing ground; ground ice; ground temperatures; formation fluids; pressure; resistivity logging;
seismic velocities; geothermal gradient; seismic surveys; geophysical surveys; geophysical interpretations; resistivity logging; well log analyses; gamma ray logging; density logging; geophysical logging; Beaufort Mackenzie Basin |
| Program | GEM:
Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals Mackenzie Delta and Corridor |
| Abstract | Data from exploration wells were interpreted and used to map the variation in the depth to the base of ice-bearing permafrost (IBPF) for the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin in northwestern Canada as part of a
larger government-industry funded petroleum systems study that was active from 2001-2013. Geophysical well logs, well seismic surveys, shallow repeated temperature surveys, and deeper borehole temperature-depth profiles are utilized to determine the
base of IBPF for 265 wells in the basin. Composite plots of log, seismic velocity and shallow temperature data illustrate typical geophysical responses and provide multi-parameter evidence for integrated interpretations of the IBPF zone. IBPF
determinations are quality-assessed in terms of their reliability using a standardised scale based on the type of methods used and the quality of data available. For many of the wells, a sharp change in electrical and acoustic properties marks the
base of the interpreted fully frozen IBPF zone which may represent the base of ice-bonded permafrost. For 135 wells, there is an underlying transition zone between 7 m to 210 m in thickness that is interpreted to represent partially-frozen IBPF. The
interpreted co-existence of water and ice may be the result of changes in lithology, grain size, texture and/or pore water salinity which can affect the freezing point. There is a good correlation between the geophysically-determined base of IBPF and
the depth to the base of permafrost from temperature surveys. This suggests that the mapped IBPF zone is a useful thermal boundary condition for thermal modelling and heat flow studies. For most of the wells, IBPF is confined to sandstones and
conglomerates within Cenozoic sediments of the post-rift succession. Beneath the Beaufort Shelf, the base of IBPF occurs within highly porous sediments of the Plio-Pleistocene Iperk Sequence. For central onshore areas, the base of IBPF occurs in
progressively older, more deeply exhumed Cenozoic strata in a southward direction. Along the southeastern basin margin on Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, IBPF extends into the Paleocene-Eocene Aklak Sequence. In the southernmost part of the basin and in the
fold belt to the west, IBPF is encountered in Lower Cretaceous syn-rift and Upper Cretaceous post-rift strata. Permafrost occurs in exhumed Paleozoic strata in the Anderson Plain southwest of Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. Depth to the base of IBPF varies
from 0 m (no IBPF) to > 700 m across the study area. It is shallowest along the southern (landward) basin margin and in the deformed and exhumed western part of the basin, and is deepest in the rapidly deposited Cenozoic strata of the eastern shelf
beneath the Beaufort Sea. IBPF may be absent over much of the modern delta area around Mackenzie Bay. This work will form the core of the Canadian contribution to an updated International Permafrost Association circumpolar map of submarine
permafrost distribution. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
This report provides detailed exploration well data, techniques and interpretations of permafrost determinations for the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin.
Geophysical well logs, well seismic surveys, shallow repeated temperature surveys, and deeper borehole temperature-depth profiles are utilized to determine the base of ice-bearing permafrost (IBPF) for 265 wells. An integrated, multi-parameter
approach to permafrost characterisation is presented and quality assessment procedures are discussed. Determined base of IBPF varies from 0 m (no IBPF) to > 700 m across the study area. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 295203 |
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