3-dimensional modeling of the stratal architecture of the McMurray Formation, northeastern Alberta: Syncrude North Mine

The Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation of northeastern Alberta, Canada, is host to one of the richest hydrocarbon reserves on Earth. A dataset from the McMurray Formation, consisting of 2107 closely-spaced vertical well-bores, is used to generate a three-dimensional visualization of nine facies and respective stratal archtiecture of Syncrude's North Mine Area. Geostatistical analysis was used to define correlation ranges for the highly variable stratigraphy. The correlation ranges were subsequently applied to the modeling process to create a detailed sedimentologic and stratigraphic model from high-density well-bore data (commonly less than 100m spacing). The derived model provides an opportunity to assess the depositional system of the McMurray Formation. In the study area, the stratal architecture of the McMurray deposits is interpreted to represent a tide-dominated delta.