An examination of the source rock potential of the Deadwood and Winnipeg formations of southern Saskatchewan

Since the 1960's, sporadic amounts of hydrocarbons have been detected and produced from the Middle Cambrian to Late Ordovician Deadwood and Middle Ordovician Winnipeg formations of southern Saskatchewan. The hydrocarbons within the Deadwood and Winnipeg formations exhibit a range of compositional states from medium crude to condensate to gas. However, little is understood about the nature and stratigraphic origin of these hydrocarbons, and it has not been the focus of a systematic study. Therefore, the primary object of this study is to identify and if possible characterize potential sources to the hydrocarbons found in the Deadwood and Winnipeg formations of southern Saskatchewan. This was done by geochemically and petrographically analyzing samples of core and drill cuttings from the Deadwood and Winnipeg formations.; Samples of the shales from the Deadwood Formation are associated with very low source potential and appear organically barren during petrographic examination.; The Winnipeg Formation of southern Saskatchewan is comprised of two members the Black Island and Icebox. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...