| Hydrocarbon source rock characterization and quantitative 1-D basin modelling is applied to understand the source rock potential and the timing of hydrocarbon generation and migration from the Exshaw, Montney, Phosphate Zone, Pardonet, Baldonnel, Gordondale and Wilrich formations in northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta.;The amount of Tertiary erosion increases dramatically from 900 to 1900 meters from east to west, with concomitant increase in thermal maturity towards the west to the foredeep part of the basin. The Exshaw Formation has peak hydrocarbon generation at 99-91 Ma. The Triassic Montney, Phosphate Zone, and Pardonet Formations have good, excellent and good source rock potential, respectively, with peak generation at 92-57 Ma. The Gordondale Member has excellent source rock potential and has peak generation at 83-61 Ma. The gas-prone Wilrich Shale has good source rock potential and is thermally mature in the west and suggested to have shale gas play potential in northeastern British Columbia. |
