Geochemical and Sedimentological Investigation of the Colorado Group for Shale Gas Potential: Initial Results

ERCB/AGS has embarked on a project to quantify shale gas resources in the province. We collected 74 outcrop samples and 203 samples from core from the Colorado Group. A series of ten analyses were run on selective samples, including isotherm, Rock-Eval 6, TOC, organic petrology, bulk mineralogy, clay mineralogy, permeameter, helium and mercury porosimetry, scanning electron microscope, environmental scanning electron microscope, and thin sections. Gas capacity has been calculated on a BCF/Sq. mile basis assuming a base case of 100% desorption and also a case assuming 25% free gas. A few thin sections and electron microscope descriptions are included with the remainder available when descriptions are complete.