This digital data release includes bulk mineralogical composition data from X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of selected samples from Alberta stratigraphic units evaluated for their shale- and siltstone-hosted hydrocarbon resource potential. The strata evaluated include the
- basal Banff Formation,
- Colorado Group,
- Duvernay Formation,
- Exshaw Formation,
- Montney Formation,
- Muskwa Formation,
- Wilrich Member,
- Nordegg Member, and
- Rierdon Formation.
Data for other stratigraphic units are also included in this file.
Lithologies are generalized and based on visual description. Allocation of stratigraphic unit names was 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.
Sample totals that are less than 100% are likely due to the presence of amorphous minerals or organic matter.
In the dataset the following combination of columns will display unique records: Sample_ID and Sample_Type.
A site may have multiple samples, and some samples were re-run for quality control.
Fields with no analysis values indicate that the specified mineral was not identified in that sample. The number of significant digits of the analytical results is as provided by the laboratory. Trailing zeros may have been dropped by Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access. All attributes have well defined domains and were found to be valid within the domains.
In this dataset, 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 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 intervals and other fine-grained rocks. Lower density sampling was done in other lithologies and bounding formations. If Date_Collected is 20xx-01-01, we collected the sample during the year indicated, but the exact date is unknown.
A detailed description of the methodology can be obtained by the user contacting the laboratories.
Bulk rock geochemistry data from X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for core samples analyzed by SGS Lakefield Research is published in DIG 2016-0007. Clay mineralogy data from XRD analysis of core samples analyzed by SGS Lakefield Research is published in DIG 2016-0004. Clay mineralogy data from XRD analysis of outcrop samples conducted by CBM Solution is published in DIG 2016-0006.
All samples analyzed for bulk mineralogy are included in the dataset.
We collected outcrop samples from various outcrop sites during fieldwork excursions from 2007 to 2011. Core samples were collected at the Alberta Energy Regulator’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 laboratories for XRD analysis.
We received the results from the laboratories in multiple spreadsheets, which we imported into a Microsoft Access database. The data were exported as flat files for public release. The raw data was compared to the exported data to ensure that no errors were introduced during data processing and export.