Interpretted seismic section across part of Gaspésie larger image [JPEG, 54.9 kb, 440 X 243, notice]

(Courtesy of Denis Lavoie) larger image [JPEG, 109.2 kb, 440 X 277, notice]

Renewed interest in the hydrocarbon potential of the margin of the Paleozoic core of North America, Laurentia, revealed a critical lack of modern data on its structure and evolution. Thus was inaugurated the Appalachian Forelands and St. Lawrence Platform Project by GSC and the Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland geological surveys. The project, involving five transects across the ancient margin, has successfully produced a modern framework upon which ongoing and future resources projects will rely. (NATMAP project)

TGI-2 :Hydrocarbon Potential of the Appalachians larger image [JPEG, 54.7 kb, 800 X 601, notice]

In collaboration with the geological surveys and Energy sectors of the Maritimes provinces and Quebec, a new project funded through the second round of the Targeted Geoscience Initiative program of ESS was designed. This two-year project ($2M; 2003-2005) aims to enhance our understanding of the hydrocarbon potential of the Appalachian basins and is built on the recent findings and models derived from the eastern Canada Appalachian NATMAP project. The nature of the activities varies from one jurisdiction to the other and includes marine seismic, various geophysical surveys, detailed hydrocarbon systems studies (source rocks, thermal maturation, reservoir rocks, traps) and strategic field mapping. The resource industry is very supportive of the project by investing direct money in various acquisition programs (145 000$) and by providing access to recent geophysical data (less than 2 years old) worth over 2 M$. The various project outputs (maps, reports, database) will rapidly be publicly disseminated in order to maximize the impact for this part of Canada.

In Gaspésie, the project aims at upgrading our understanding of the subsurface architecture of eastern Quebec. This goal will be reached through major geophysical acquisition programs including high resolution aeromagnetic, gravimetric, reprocessing of seismic data and integration of satellite imagery. These data will be integrated in a database that will allow modelling of the subsurface architecture of eastern Quebec. These data will be released as integrated geoscience products useful for the resource industry active in this part of the province.

In New Brunswick, the project aims at 1) upgrading our understanding of the subsurface architecture of in the Silurian-Devonian and Carboniferous depositional belts and 2) upgrading and synthesizing our knowledge of potential hydrocarbon source rocks and reservoirs for the sedimentary basins of the province. These goals will be reached through major high-resolution aeromagnetic acquisition programs and detailed organic and mineral geochemistry studies and synthesis. These data will be integrated in various web-accessible databases that will serve as decision tools for the industry active in the area.

Organic matter maturation in northeastern New Brunswick. The data locate areas favourable for the preservation of oil and/or gas. These NATMAP/TGI-2 results led to the opening of this area to hydrocarbon exploration. larger image [JPEG, 380.9 kb, 768 X 683, notice]

In Newfoundland, the project aims at upgrading our understanding of the subsurface architecture, evolution and hydrocarbon systems of the Humber Arm Allochthon in western Newfoundland. This goal will be reached through compilation of geoscience data and strategic mapping and tectonostratigraphic studies of the sedimentary belt, new organic matter data (source rock potential and thermal maturation) These data will be released as integrated geoscience products useful for the resource industry active in this part of the province.

In Nova Scotia, the project aims at upgrading our understanding of the subsurface architecture and evolution of the central Nova Scotia Carboniferous basin. This goal will be reached through compilation of geoscience data and strategic mapping of the sedimentary belt, compilation of industry geophysical programs including high resolution aeromagnetic, gravimetric and reprocessing of seismic data. These data will be released as integrated geoscience products useful for the resource industry active in this part of the province.

Partners

• Quebec
  Ministère des Ressources Naturelles de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec
  Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique - Centre Eau Terre Environnement
  Université Laval
  Hydro-Quebec Exploration Pétrole et Gaz
  JUNEX exploration
  SOQUEM
  Ressource et Energie Squatex
  Fugro Airborne surveys
  MIR Télédection
• New Brunswick
  New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy
  Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique - Centre Eau Terre Environnement
  University of New Brunswick
• Newfoundland
  Department of Mines and Energy of Newfoundland and Labrador
  Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Nova Scotia
  Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
  Nova Scotia Department of Energy Dalhousie University
  St-Francis Xavier University