Post-Elk Point Givetian and Frasnian Devonian strata of Alberta and north eastern BC consist of up to approximately 800 metres of reefal and platform carbonates and basin-filling shales and lime mudstones.  These strata record the large scale inundation of late Devonian seas onto the craton (transgressive phase) and their gradual withdrawal (regressive phase).  Major hydrocarbon reserves are associated with areally extensive platform carbonates and isolate reef complexes of the transgressive phase.

This study provides an understanding of the Upper Devonian section between the Beaverhill Lake Group and the top of the Wabamun Group.  The study area encompasses the Obed, Obed East buildups, as well as a number of other Leduc reef complexes such as Dalehurst, Medlod, East Sundance, Groat, Nosehill, Pine Creek and Marlboro.  Particular emphasis is placed on defining "Marlboro Member" sedimentation and its occurrence in the area.

The study area is located in west central Alberta from Townships 52 to 56 between Ranges 16W5 and 24W5.  At the time of the study, a total of 140 wells penetrated to the Upper Devonian Wabamun Group within the study area.

Click globe for map of study area.

The study area covers 45 townships (4,195 square kilometres) in the Obed, Marlboro, Pine Creek, Groat, Sundance, Dalehurst and Medlod reef complexes:

• fully illustrated text (49 pages, 22 figures, 9 plates) documenting stratigraphy, depositional setting, geologic evolution, play types and exploration potential, core descriptions, and database;
• 7 regional stratigraphic cross sections;
• 2 field stratigraphic cross sections;
• 4 maps at 1:100,000 including Top Wabamun structure, Top Wabamun to top Carbonate isopach, Top Leduc to base Beaverhill Lake isopach, and Leduc paleogeography with lines of cross section
• 8 stratigraphic picks from Top Wabamun Grp. to Top Elk Point Fm., including Wabamun Grp., Winterburn Gp., Z Marker, Leduc Fm. (including Terrace 1 and Terrace 2 Units), Beaverhill Lake, and Elk Point.
• 140 well database available in digital and hardcopy formats
• 1300 metres of core described from 39 wells with internally consistent correlations