The Saskatchewan Bakken: Unconventional, Conventional or All of the Above Dan Kohlruss, Erik Nickel and Jeff Coolican Saskatchewan Geological Survey and PTRC

Why the Bakken? Study Area Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Reservoir Differences : Conventional vs “Unconventional” Mapping and Depositional Model Trapping models Conclusions

2500 Wells This slide illustrates the explosive growth in Bakken production from Southeast Sask over the last five years. As of September 11, 2009, there were 1,506 wells capable of producing Bakken oil in southeast Saskatchewan, of which 1,429 were drilled since January 1, 2004. Bakken oil production in southeast Saskatchewan has increased from 600 barrels per day in January 2004 to a peak of just over 58,000 barrels per day in March 2009. The recent drop in Bakken production is certainly due to the economic downturn as producers wait for a rebound in stable prices prior to resuming their Bakken development activities.   3

Bakken in SE Sask The contribution of the Bakken production to the stream coming out of SE Sask is becoming quite significant, forming close to one-third of total output from the region compared to relatively nothing not that long ago.

Bakken in SE Sask The Bakken Formation can be found in a broad region within a geological feature known as the Williston Basin. This basin extends over 200,000 square miles and lies beneath most of North Dakota and stretches to South Dakota, Montana, southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba. At least 25% of the basin lies beneath southeast Saskatchewan. The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan at http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/williston_basin.html

Late Devonian (Famenian) Paleogeography ≈360 Ma From Blakey, NAU Geology 2006 Study Area Late Devonian (Famenian) Paleogeography ≈360 Ma Old Red Sandstone Continent Antler Orogeny Prophet Trough Equator SGA Antler Foreland Basin Swiftcurrent Platform Williston Basin Appalachian Foreland Basin 30 s

Early Mississippian Paleogeography Old Red Sandstone Continent Antler Orogeny Prophet Trough SGA Antler Foreland Basin Williston Basin Appalachian Foreland Basin From Blakey, NAU Geology 2006

Brockton-Froid Lineament

Mississippian Three Forks Group Bakken Fm This sequence lies immediately beneath the Mississippian limestone and dolomites that have been the dominant producing zones of the Williston Basin for over fifty years. Development of shallower Mississippian and Jurassic formations of the region has taken place due to greater producibility and less drilling required to access the reserves. This activity has resulted in the development of such well-known pools as Weyburn, Midale and Steelman to name a few.

Bakken Stratigraphy Nickel and Kohlruss 2010

Higher porosity in general more consistent Core Analysis Approx 105 analyzed core Over 1000 total data points Unit B Higher porosity in general more consistent Direct correlation between porosity and permeability Conventional traps Unit A considerably lower porosity and permeability More highly variable Many data points on lower limits of detection Unconventional Nickel et al 2011

Modified from Kohlruss and Nickel 2009

Unit B Isopach Modified from Kohlruss and Nickel 2009

Bakken Depositional Model: Prograding Delta: Forced or Normal Regression? 1.) Unit A deposited in a prograding, regressive setting 2.) Continued regression and erosion of Unit ‘A’ proximal prodelta deposits, and deposition of the unit ‘B’ delta-front sediments. 3.) Unit C deposited in a transgressive setting

From Kohlruss and Nickel 2009 (modified after Plint 1988)

Hydrogeological Implications and Trapping Modified from Khan and Rostron, 2002

Viewfield Trapping Model Modified after Kohlruss and Nickel 2009

Modified from Kohlruss and Nickel 2009

Unit B Isopach Modified from Kohlruss and Nickel 2009

Modified from Kohlruss and Nickel 2009

Kreis et al, 2006

? Kohlruss and Nickel 2009

Modified from Khan and Rostron, 2002

Maryfield Bakken-Torquay Sub-crop Play Christopher 1961

Hummingbird area trapping model Modified from Smith and Pullen, 1967

Modified from Khan and Rostron, 2002

Dome et al Hummingbird 14-1-2-19W2 2260.4m Imperial Constance 8-36-3-29W2 2054.9m “Flaser Bedded Facies”

Imperial Constance 8-36-3-29W2 Dull yellow fluorescence Immediate green cut

Bakken Future Activity Potential Legend: Crown Leases Freehold (private) Rights Bakken Wells Other Oil Wells ? This map shows the availability of oil and gas rights in SE Sask. The white areas have rights available. 39

12m OCM Constance area 341m G+OCM Land availability OC in Core 6m ocm Crown Land Disposed Free Hold 12m OCM Constance area Land availability 341m G+OCM OC in Core 6m ocm

Bakken Friendly Royalty Regime Bakken horizontal wells qualify for a very favorable Royalty Incentive Volume For the first 40,000 to 100,000 barrels produced, the royalty rate is 2.5% or less!

Conclusions Bakken drilling outside of Viewfield but currently widespread Viewfield is a combination of a stratigraphic and permeability trap aided by a strong hydrogeological component. Outside of Viewfield, structure plays an important role Combination of facies pinch-out and possibly associated heat flow anomaly at Pinto/Bienfait? Salt tectonics at Hummingbird/Roncott/Constance The future of the Bakken play is likely in structural and Stratigraphic traps like seen in Hummingbird pool and Pinto-Bienfait area

My colleagues at the Saskatchewan Geological Survey ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Erik Nickel Jeff Coolican Kim Kreis My colleagues at the Saskatchewan Geological Survey