This digital data release includes Rock Eval and total organic carbon results of selected samples for analyses of shale gas, oil and liquids. The primary strata evaluated include the following units:
- Lower Banff,
- Colorado,
- Duvernay,
- Exshaw,
- Montney,
- Muskwa,
- Nordegg, and
- Rierdon.
Lithologies are generalized and based on visual description.
Allocation of stratigraphic unit names and ranks was done based on available stratigraphic information at the time of sampling. No attempt was made to reallocate samples within a consistent regional stratigraphic framework. In some cases, stratigraphic unit allocation may be incorrect.
We compiled the data into a single dataset for ease of use. No specified combination of columns will result in unique records. A site may have multiple samples, and each sample may have multiple analyses performed on it, in addition to lab standards and duplicates.
Fields with blank analysis values indicates that the specified test was not run on that sample. The number of significant digits of the sample results are as provided by the lab. Trailing zeros may have been dropped by Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access.
The laboratory performed general validation checks on all samples using lab standards and duplicates.
The term shale describes a fine-grained, organic-rich rock and may not imply fissility.
We collected representative core samples based on available core for the target formations in order to get a reasonable spatial distribution of data. The core did not always cover the entire target interval. Sampling was focused at a higher density in the shale targets and fine-grained rocks. Lower density sampling was done in other lithologies and bounding formations. Outcrop sampling was performed on target formations where accessible. If Date_Collected is 01-Jan-20xx, we collected the sample during the year indicated, but the exact date is unknown.
All samples with Rock Eval total organic carbon analyses are included in the dataset except for three samples that were difficult to categorize stratigraphically. The pyrograms provided to us by the lab are included with the dataset and referenced in the Image_Filename field. Not all samples include pyrograms.
We collected outcrop samples from various outcrop sites during fieldwork excursions from 2007 to 2011. Core samples were collected at the Energy Resources Conservation Board’s Core Research Centre.
Geologists recorded the sample and site information, such as location, depth, formation, and a brief lithological description at the time of collection. Representative splits of the samples were made and sent to labs for analysis, including Rock Eval, total organic carbon, LECO organic assessment, organic petrography, inorganic geochemistry, porosimetry, pycnometry, adsorption isotherm, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscope imaging, thin section analysis and permeametry. Not all analyses were run on every sample. This dataset includes Rock Eval, total organic carbon and LECO organic assessment.
We received the lab results in multiple spreadsheets, which we imported into a Microsoft Access database. The data were exported as flat files for release to the public. Raw lab data were compared to exported data for consistency. Reference standards, lab standards, and duplicates were analyzed and are included in the dataset to allow the user to perform quality-control checks.