| Title | The Scott Inlet - Buchan Gulf oil seeps: Actively venting petroleum systems on the northern Baffin Margin offshore Nunavut, Canada |
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| Author | Oakey, G N; Moir, P N; Brent, T; Dickie, K; Jauer, C ; Bennett, R; Wiliams, G; MacLean, B; Budkewitsch, P; Haggart, J; Currie, L |
| Source | Society of Economic Geologists, Special Publication 2012, 2012, 3 pages |
| Links | Online - En ligne
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| Image |  |
| Year | 2012 |
| Alt Series | Natural Resources Canada, Contribution Series 20170153 |
| Publisher | Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists |
| Meeting | GeoConvention: Vision; Calgary; CA; May 14-18, 2012 |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | Northern offshore region; Nunavut |
| NTS | 27F/13; 27F/14; 27G/03; 27G/04 |
| Area | Baffin Island; Scott Inlet; Buchan Gulf |
| Lat/Long WENS | -72.0000 -71.0000 63.2500 62.7500 |
| Subjects | geological surveys; geophysical surveys; geochemical surveys; bathymetry; radar imagery; remote sensing; seismic reflection surveys; seismic data; oil seeps; petroleum resources; RADARSAT; Mesozoic;
Cenozoic |
| Illustrations | satellite images |
| Program | GEM2: Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals Baffin Project Management |
| Released | 2012 01 01 |
| Abstract | New analyses of legacy geophysical, geological and geochemical data have been integrated with modern multibeam bathymetry, RADARSAT imagery, and onshore geological mapping into a regional study of the
petroleum system on the northern Baffin shelf offshore Nunavut. Industry seismic reflection profiles show that the Scott Inlet Graben is the southern end of an elongated basin (200-300 km by 25-50 km wide) extending to the northwest along the Baffin
Margin - now named Scott Inlet Basin - which contains up to 6 km of Mesozoic and Cenozoic strata. The seismic data define the outer edge of the Scott Inlet Basin; however, the landward edge is largely unknown and may locally outcrop onshore.
Recent multibeam bathymetry data have been collected over the Scott Inlet Seep location as part of the ARCTICNET Research Program to study benthic habitats and geohazards in the Canadian Arctic waterways. The bathymetric mapping has identified
complex patterns of Quaternary seafloor sedimentary processes and modern iceberg scouring. Also imaged are (Precambrian?) bedrock outcrops on the seafloor along the western edge of Scott Inlet Basin with indications of fault structures controlling
basin development, as well as pock-marks interpreted to be petroleum escape features. In 2009, video was collected using a remotely operated vehicle showing petroleum actively venting from the seafloor. Repeat satellite radar sea surface mapping
confirms the existence of extensive and persistent oil slicks. Large slicks exceed 250 km2, each representing over 50,000 barrels of oil on the sea-surface. Whether these slicks are formed from continuous venting of petroleum or episodic events
(possibly triggered by local seismicity) is unknown.
New palynological analysis of the 1980s GSC short rock cores of sedimentary strata in the Scott Inlet Basin indicate a Turonian to Campanian age for the mudstones of Home Bay and Buchan Gulf,
and the black shales at Scott Inlet. Geological mapping onshore Bylot Island, northwest of the Scott Inlet Basin has identified middle Albian to possible Turonian strata suggesting a correlative equivalent with the Hassel Formation, widespread in the
Canadian Arctic. A 500 m thick coarse grained sandstone unit that is widespread on southwest Bylot Island may be a possible coeval equivalent for the reservoir rocks GeoConvention 2012: Vision 2
within the Scott Inlet Basin. New geochemical
analysis of the 1985 Pisces-IV oil sample confirms a biodegraded mature oil with biomarkers suggesting an upper Cretaceous marine source. The sample has similarities to the Itilli oil type identified in West Greenland, thought to be generated from
Cenomanian to Turonian marine shales.
The Scott Inlet Basin contains an active petroleum system with a significant potential for a viable hydrocarbon discovery. Mapping of the area is sparse and continued research would greatly improve the
understanding of the geological history of the area as well as provide a natural laboratory for studying the effects of petroleum contamination in an Arctic marine environment. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 305371 |
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