Sedimentology and stratigraphy of the Lower Cretaceous Bluesky Formation, Aitken Creek Field, British Columbia

A detailed sedimentologic description of 34 cores, core to well log correlation, stratigraphic and structural cross-section correlation of 88 boreholes, palynological analyses of 14 samples (Gething, Bluesky, and Buckinghorse Formations), 14 thin section and 6 scanning electron microscopy analyses were performed to determine the origin of sedimentary facies, sequence stratigraphy, and reservoir characterization of the Bluesky Formation in the Aitken Creek Field. Reservoir facies observed in core from the Aitken Creek Field are interpreted as fluvial and estuarine valley-fill sediments, from the Lower Cretaceous Bluesky Formation, deposited during an early Albian relative sea level still-stand and rise. Depositional sequences comprise a diverse assemblage of facies that can be grouped into lowstand and transgressive systems tracts. River incision is probably a function of eustasy and tectonics, both of which were controlling forces. Incising rivers tend towards topographic minimums, which are accentuated by basement-involved tectonism involving the Hay River Fault zone. The lowstand systems tract comprises a discontinuous unit of relatively thin fluvial conglomerate in the thalweg of the incised valley. The transgressive systems tract comprises the majority of the valley fill, consisting of facies that were deposited in associated estuarine channel, estuarine bay, tidal channel, and outer estuarine environments. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...