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Proactive disclosure Print version   | |  Co-operative Geological Mapping Strategies Across Canada : COGMAPS Beaufort-Mackenzie area, Northwest Territories and Yukon
With demand for natural gas increasing, the Beaufort-Mackenzie area is again a focus of exploration. In anticipation of this development, the GSC prepared the "Geological Atlas of the Beaufort-Mackenzie Area" in the 1990s. The atlas has stimulated further detailed studies (collaborations of federal, territorial and industrial partners) that are developing new regional syntheses of this important petroleum area.
Synopsis The Geological Survey of Canada's (GSC) extensive publications on the Beaufort-Mackenzie area provide the base knowledge upon which petroleum companies and various government and aboriginal agencies can use to guide a new round of exploration activity that began in the early 2000s. Rationale There was a period of low exploration activity in the Beaufort-Mackenzie area during the 1980s and 1990s, during which the GSC used all available surface and subsurface data to produce a comprehensive understanding of the geology, with the knowledge that at some point in time exploration would resume. Companies and government agencies would benefit from this accumulation of knowledge, having a base level from which to start their new operations. Approach A multidisciplinary approach was used, deriving information from reflection and refraction seismic, aeromagnetic and gravity surveys, well data and field studies. Geology The Beaufort-Mackenzie area is underlain by a Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous rifted continental margin, that was succeeded by the deposition of a thick continental terrace wedge, dating from the mid-Cretaceous to the present. Late Cretaceous to Tertiary compressional deformation and listric growth faulting in the post-rift succession has created a structurally complex area. Oil and gas accumulations occur in both the rift and post-rift successions. Outcomes Energy resource appraisals by government and non-government agencies relied a great deal on the GSC's interpretation of the geology. New exploration in the Beaufort-Mackenzie area has been facilitated by the availability of the large knowledge base, mostly compiled by GSC scientists. Participants The initial phase of knowledge accumulation was largely a GSC undertaking with some involvement of university professors and exploration companies. During the present phase of exploration, a co-operative research project involving several exploration companies and the GSC has been in operation for several years and will continue for at least one more year. More Information A comprehensive list of GSC publications can be obtained from any GSC Bookstore.
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