This dataset contains two 3D property models of the Upper Devonian Duvernay Formation in central Alberta. We modelled the West Shale Basin (WSB) and East Shale Basin (ESB) separately due to the differences in depositional and petrophysical properties of each basin. The modelled properties include total porosity (PHIT), total organic carbon (TOC), and carbonate fraction from petrophysical analysis of oil and gas well data; and temperature and pressure gradients, condensate-gas ratio (CGR), and gas-oil ratio (GOR) from production data.
The WSB and ESB property models cover an area of approximately 86 532 km2 and 34 984 km2 respectively, and include the entire thickness of the Duvernay Formation. The modelling was focused on the Duvernay Formation and excluded the Leduc Formation platforms and reefs. The skeleton of the two 3D property models builds on the 3D Provincial Geological Framework Model of Alberta, Version 1, and was supplemented with more detailed internal architecture.
This model is available for download in the following packages;
• the Petrel project file
• a deconstructed model dataset composed of discrete and continuous model horizons as Esri format grids, and zone model extent shapefiles,
• populated model properties as point data in ASCII format,
• an iMOD model dataset package, and
• all of the above data.
All of the standard format digital datasets can be viewed in iMOD, an open source software, and Petrel, enabling users to visualize rotate, slice, explode, and toggle data on and off in 3D. The iMOD software provides users with an interactive geospatial environment where end users can manipulate 3D geological models and into which they can import their own geospatially referenced subsurface and surface data.
The Upper Devonian Duvernay Formation is present in the subsurface of most of central Alberta except where the stratigraphically equivalent Leduc Formation carbonate platforms and reefs are located, defining two distinct regional areas of Duvernay Formation deposition: the West Shale Basin and the East Shale Basin. The organic-rich shales and carbonate, and silicious mudstones of the Duvernay Formation have long been considered an important source rock for hydrocarbon accumulations in Alberta and, more recently, have become a major target for unconventional oil and gas exploration and development.
Data are contiguous, topologically correct polygons as built and enforced using Petrel software.
Grid cells with no data are assigned the value of -9999.
Spatial locations were checked for uniqueness; all spatial locations are unique.
For information about the selection and management of data in the models see AER/AGS Open File Report 2018-11: Three-Dimensional Property Modelling of the Duvernay Formation in Alberta.
Descriptions of the field names used in the tabular data are included with the dataset in Tabular_data_field_descriptions.txt
The Duvernay Formation was represented by two separate property models, the West Shale Basin (WSB) and East Shale Basin (ESB). The frameworks of the models are based on the 3D PGF model v1. The top and base of Duvernay Formation surfaces were modified where necessary to ensure a minimum thickness for the property modelling. The WSB model has a middle carbonate zone that is not in the 3D PGF model v1. The top and base surfaces for this zone were modelled using geological picks.
The carbonate fraction, porosity, and TOC properties were simulated at a grid cell size of 500 x 500 x 1.5 m. The pressure gradient, temperature gradient, gas-oil ratio, and condensate-gas ratio were simulated in a 2D grid at a cell size of 500 x 500 m and upscaled to the 3D grid. All properties were simulated using Gaussian Random Function Simulation in Petrel 2015.