1. Geology of the Alberta Oil Sands Eric Timmer Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta Photo Courtesy of M. Gingras

2. Outline Oil sand deposits of Alberta Elements of the oil sands petroleum system: – Hydrocarbon source – Hydrocarbon migration – Reservoir – Trap/Seal – Microbial degradation Geological Challenges

3. Images Courtesy of M. Gingras

4. FigureCourtesy of M. Gingras

6. Elements of the Petroleum System From Adams et al. 2015

7. Hydrocarbon Source Rock From Adams et al. 2015

9. Migration From Adams et al. 2015

10. Image courtesy of M. Ranger

11. From Adams et al. 2015 From Adams et al. 2004

12. Reservoir From Adams et al. 2015

14. Image Courtesy of M. Gingras

16. Versus Fluvial Channels Tidal Channels Schematics Courtesy of M. Gingras

17. Importance of Tidal Point Bars It is important to be able to predict the distribution of sedimentary facies to aid in the assessment of resource quality and quantity. A key marginal-marine facies is interbedded mud and sand deposited in tidally influenced point bars. The point-bar deposits are deleterious to resource value, as they are commonly mud-rich. However, they are predictable in their distribution and are, therefore, key indicators of paleogeographic position. Photo Courtesy of M. Gingras

18. Estuaries and deltas may contain meander-form through to straight channel geometries with complex local bar behaviour and sediment distribution. Bars coarsen rapidly laterally. Bars may coarsen upwards. Different scales of bars are imposed on each other by tidal maintainance. Photo Courtesy of M. Gingras

19. Tributaries may display very complex interactions with the main body of the estuary. Photo Courtesy of M. Gingras

20. Lettley, 2003

21. Salinity stressing leads to a very predictable distribution of trace fossils (ichnofossils), which are the tracks and trails of sediment- dwelling animals. Landward decrease in diversity. Landward shift to infaunal living into the brackish-water reach. Minimum abundance in association with greatest fluctuation in salinity. Images Courtesy of M. Gingras

22. Good Resource Poor Resource Best Resource Images Courtesy of M. Gingras

24. Trap/Seal From Adams et al. 2015

25. From Fustic et al. 2012

26. Microbial Degradation From Adams et al. 2015

28. Biodegradation Fundamentals Biodegradation occurs where anaerobic, methanogenic, microbes interact with hydrocarbons in zones where there are sufficient water-born nutrients and temperatures are < 80 C. Lighter-end saturated hydrocarbons are consumed preferentially—we are subsequently left with heavy oil/bitumen

29. Main Geological Challenges Reservoir Heterogeneity!!! Cap rock integrity/Overburden Thickness Groundwater Interaction

30. Reservoir Heterogeneity From Timmer et al. 2013

31. Cap rock/overburden thickness Clearwater Formation

32. Cap rock/overburden thickness Glacial Erosion

33. Ground Water Interactions From Timmer et al. 2013