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OVERVIEW NS12-1 PARCELS DATA LICENCE INFORMATION

Sediment Delivery Systems

Introduction
Introduction and Scope
On the Scotian Shelf, within the central portion of the Sable
Central Scotian Margin - Subbasin, reservoir quality sands are generally common
Parcels 1 & 2, 7-11 within the Jurassic Mic Mac and Cretaceous Missisauga
Formations. The Mic Mac Formation records this first phase
Regional Overview of delta progradation into these subbasins, represented by
distributary channel and delta front fluvial sands cyclically
Sediment Delivery Systems interfingering with prodelta and shelf marine shales. A series
of thick sand-rich deltaic, strandplain, carbonate shoals and
Parcel Prospectivity
shallow marine shelf successions (Missisauga Formation)
dominated sedimentation throughout the Early Cretaceous.
Western Scotian Margin - These Mic Mac and Missisauga sands are the producing
Parcels 3-6 reservoirs of the five (Venture, South Venture, Thebaud,
North Triumph and Alma) Sable Offshore Energy Project
Location and Coordinates (SOEP) gas fields. Including the above five gas fields there
are a total of 23 Significant Discoveries in the Sable Subbasin
Geoscience References and a considerable number of wells with gas shows. Given
the volume of sand present in the shelfal Sable delta
complexes, it was anticipated that significant amounts of
sand should have been deposited as turbidites basinward of
the Sable Subbasin. Subsequent deep water drilling did Figure 16: Depth to seafloor within
encounter sands (Annapolis G-24: 42 m net sand, Crimson the central Scotian Margin and
F-81: 20 m net sand, Newburn H-23: 40 m net sand and Parcels 1 and 2, 5-11. (Bathymetry
Tantallon M-41: 17 m net sand, see Figure 16 for well from OETRA, 2011)
locations) and in some cases these sands were gas charged.
However, the low net to gross in these wells relative to the high net to gross landward in the Sable
Subbasin is perplexing, and has created questions regarding the shelf to slope transition in the
central Scotian Margin. The following outlines the approach and results of a study undertaken by the
CNSOPB to better understand the connection between shelf and slope deposits.

Shelf margin canyoning has been identified throughout the


Cretaceous interval across most of the central Scotian Shelf.
Canyon systems on the western portion of the Sable
Subbasin (near the Alma wells) were previously identified in
the NS08-2 call for bids package. Since this call package in
2008 seismic mapping across the shelf has progressed and a
considerable number of new canyons have been identified.
The full suite of mapped shelf margin canyons and
paleographic shelf edge trajectories are shown in figure 17.

Also noted in figure 17 is the outline of a study corridor that


was chosen to link the canyons on the shelf to downdip
equivalent age depositional thicks. This corridor was chosen
because of the density of data, good imaging of fluvial
systems, density of canyoning and the deepwater well
control provided by the Annapolis and Crimson wells. The
following describes the fluvial systems and canyon systems,
within the study area, and provides an explanation for the
well results at Annapolis and Crimson.
Figure 17: Location of study area
and distribution of allochthonous
Sequence Correlation salt, canyon incisions and shelf
edges within the Cretaceous. Line
A composite seismic line drawing was developed to be used location for figure 18 is also noted.
as a type section for sequence correlation within the central
Sable Subbasin and to highlight the features indicative of the
shelf to slope transition ( Figure 18). To optimize the
seismic imaging, the route avoids shallow salt structures and
areas affected by extensive listric faulting caused by salt
expulsion and basin subsidence while remaining within Figure 18: Interpreted Seismic line
continuous 3D seismic coverage across the shelf and slope. drawing showing correlation of

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This line is tied to multiple wells on the shelf and slope, mapped seismic horizons from the
however, in order to intersect all the features of interest shelf to deep water, faulting
(i.e. canyon erosion and expanded growth sections on the related to basin subsidence and
slope) this line does not directly intersect all key wells. salt withdrawal and salt. Well
penetrations are also shown, some
The 160 km long profile begins at the Uniacke G-72 well on wells have been projected onto
the shelf and extends onto the Scotian Slope ending near the this line from distances of up to 15
3500 m bathymetric contour (Figure 16). Figure 19 is a km away in the strike direction.
stratigraphic column which links the key seismic horizons The interpretation of basement is
noted on the line drawing to the lithostratigraphy of the schematic as the seismic imaging
Scotian Margin. does not produce a strong
reflection at these burial depths.
The location of features interpreted to be shelf edges are
Seismic horizons T51-J158 are
noted on the line drawing by the circled letters A-E and a labeled, along with the locations
map view of their basinward progression is shown on figure of canyons A-E.
20. A description of the features used to delineate the shelf
break trajectories is discussed below.

Shelf Margin Systems

The approach taken within this study to identify the position


of the shelf breaks was to locate either progradational
geometries of seismic reflectors or to identify shelf margin
canyon systems. Identifying Cretaceous and Jurassic age
progradational sequences was difficult within the study
corridor. The high density of shelf margin listric faults
inhibits the preservation of any prograding reflectors. One
progradational sequence was confidently identified, location
E. This Late Albian progradational system is noted on the
seismic line drawing ( Figure 18) and on the composite
shelf trajectory diagram (Figure 20). This set of clinoforms
represents the maximum regression of the margin and is
located in present day water depths of approximately 1000 Figure 19: Stratigraphic column
m (Figure 20). Identifying erosional canyon systems that are and corresponding key seismic
likely at or near the shelf edge proved to be more successful horizons. Modified after OETRA
for locating the older shelf trajectories and the following 2011.
four shelf margin canyon systems were identified (A-D).

Canyon system A is eroding a Late Jurassic (Oxfordian?)


carbonate ramp system (Figure 21). A structure map
showing the erosional character of this surface is shown in
figure 21 with the axis of the numerous canyons appearing in
white. This scarped edge with clear canyon erosion can be
mapped beyond the study area to the east and west. The
structure map is draped by an isochron of the overlying J158
to J150 interval which represents the total thickness of the
Mic Mac Formation. The isochron shows a dramatic
thickening of the Mic Mac Formation basinward of the
underlying canyon system. Biostratigraphic data from the
Arcadia J-16 well indicate these sediments were deposited
in a marine or marginal marine environment (Van Helden,
2004).

Canyon system B is an Early Cretaceous canyon system that


has been identified in multiple locations eroding sand prone
deltaic deposits of the lower Missisauga Formation (the K139 Figure 20: Reference/Summary
seismic horizon) (Figure 22). The flattened grayscale map for study area. This map
amplitude slice shown in figure 22 is eroded by this canyon summarises all the mapped shelf
system and in the eastern portion of the study area it erodes break locations for the study (A-E).
much farther landward then other canyons of equivalent Shelf break location E is a Late
age. The trajectory of this canyon suggests it may be Albian progradational package of
supplying sediments to slope areas southeast of this study seismic reflectors that can be
area. mapped across a large portion of
the Scotian margin. Aside from the
Canyon system C is another Early Cretaceous canyon but it seismic line drawing (Figure 18),
erodes deltaic sediments of the Upper Missisauga Formation shelf edge E is not referenced
(Figure 23). Canyons of this system erode the K130 marker elsewhere within this study. It is a
and in some cases cut as deep as the Lower Missisauga, the much more obvious shelf edge
K135 and K139 seismic horizons. This canyon has prograding location than the other four
units (bold black lines above dashed line) of Upper locations discussed. Since this
Missisauga sediments filling the eroded canyon head and study focused on documenting the
potentially transporting coarser grained material from the more obscure shelf edge
Upper Missisauga into deeper waters. trajectories a linked system figure
was not developed for this time
Canyon system D is one of the better imaged systems within
period. This figure also posts the
this study because of its shallow burial depth (Figure 24).
well names for reference when
This Late Aptian/Early Albian canyon system erodes the K
using the linked system figures
113 seismic horizon and in strike view removes at least 250
22-25.
ms (twt) of Aptian sediments in its upper section. There are
clearly imaged sand prone Cree member units prograding
into this canyon system. These prograding Albian sands are interpreted to be equivalent to the gas
charged reservoir intervals in the nearby Chebucto K-90 gas discovery.

These four canyon incisions provide good examples of the interpreted shelf edge erosional systems
within the study area. Other equivalent aged canyon systems have also been identified in other areas

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of the Scotian Shelf. An image of the projected shelf


trajectories and canyon systems across most of the central
Scotian Shelf is shown in figures 3 and 17.

Shelf to Slope Linked Systems

Multiple regional seismic horizons are mapped across the 3D


surveys throughout the shelf and deepwater (see Figure 21: (Above left) Time
stratigraphic column in figure 19). On the shelf, these structure grid of the J158 seismic
regional markers were used as either flattening datums for horizon interpreted to represent
producing flattened seismic volumes or used as a datum to an Oxfordian carbonate of the
extract windowed amplitude information. In deeper waters Baccaro Formation. This grid is
these horizons were used to create isochrons to locate draped by a J158 to J150 isochron,
anomalous thicks that are time equivalent to the periods of and is interpreted to represent the
canyon erosion on the shelf. The isochrons are limited to an time thickness of the Mic Mac
area that has been termed the 'Annapolis Basin' (Figure 20). Formation in this area. (Left) An
This deepwater basin is a zone which is constrained to the Oxfordian shelf edge trajectory is
west by strike-slip faults related to the Balvenie roho traced in the dashed white line,
system, to the east by a salt weld from a younger salt and potential canyon erosion into
detachment system of Aptian/Albian sediments and to the the carbonate is also noted (solid
south by contact with the allochthonous salt canopy. Within white lines). (Above) Seismic
the Annapolis Basin the seismic reflections are continuous section from Citnalta to Arcadia
and can be confidently correlated. They are also tied to two showing the shelf break location in
deep wells, Annapolis G-24 and Crimson F-81. This basin section view. Also noted is the
forms a study area for monitoring shifting depocenters isochron thick and pay intervals at
throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The isochrons of both Citnalta and Arcadia are
the four linked systems, presented in the following figures, schematically shown at their
only displays the shifting depocenters within the ‘Annapolis intersection with the borehole.
Basin’.

The images shown in this Shelf to Slope Linked Systems


section of the study represent four separate time periods:
Late Jurassic – Oxfordian/Tithonian, Early Cretaceous -
Valanginian, Early Cretaceous- Hauterivian/Barremian and
Early Cretaceous – Aptian/Albian (Figures 25, 26, 27, 28).
These figures are a compilation of deepwater isochrons,
shelf margin canyons and line drawings of seismic amplitude
slices from the shelf interpreted to represent paleo-
depositional environments. Figure 22: 3D seismic volume
flattened on the K130 seismic
The Late Jurassic figure combines a Tithonian fluvial system, horizon and sliced through an
an older Oxfordian shelf edge (A) and an isochron from the interpreted Lower Missisauga
J158 to J150 seismic marker (Figure 25). The isochron canyon head (above).
represents the time thickness of a Late Jurassic depocenter Corresponding interpreted and
which is dominantly filled with Mic Mac clastics. There are uninterpreted seismic transects
two possible interpretations of this Mic Mac thick that trends A-A’ also flattened on the K130
NNE-SSW a) the Mic Mac clastics are filling a marker (right).
paleobathymetric low basinward of an Oxfordian shelf edge
and therefore are being deposited in a marine/marginal
marine environment or b) this is an area of subsidence due
to salt withdrawal. The most likely interpretation is a
combination of the two; the interpretation of a marine
environment is supported by biostratigraphic data from the
Arcadia well (Van Helden, 2004). Jurassic sediments are also
deposited basinward of this isochron, however a lack of
Jurassic well control prevents the construction of a
confident isochron map. The channel systems updip of the Figure 23: Uninterpreted and
isochron were traced over eight time slices 4 ms apart. One interpreted strike (right) and dip
slice taken 72 ms above the J150 seismic horizon is shown in (left) seismic profiles of an Upper
inset box A where channels 1-4 are labelled. Channels 1 and Missisauga canyon head (C)
2 are separate fluvial systems with very minor amounts of adjacent to a salt cored high near
sinuosity. Channels 3 and 4 are incisions within a broader Chebucto K-90. A shallower canyon
system that corresponds to gas sand/zone 3 of the Citnalta eroding the Naskapi Formation is
I-59 significant discovery (CNSOPB, 2000). The accompanying also visible on this line.
flattened seismic line labels the channels in section view
that appear as strong negative amplitude anomalies.

The Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) figure is a compilation of


Valanginian Canyon heads (B), an isochron from the
J150-K131 seismic marker and Valanginian fluvial systems of
the shelf (Figure 26). The orange line drawings on the shelf
were interpreted from one average trough amplitude
extraction that is 192-236 ms below the K130 seismic
marker. Inset box A is an example of the amplitude
extraction and the geomorphological detail it provides. Of Figure 24: Uninterpreted and
note in the inset box is the meandering system, on the left interpreted dip (left) and strike
hand portion of the image, and also a large (up to ~6 km (right) seismic profiles of
wide) braided river in the upper right hand corner of the lowermost Cree member
image. Within this braided system it is possible to identify progradation into a late
some of the internal architecture and bars and islands of Aptian/early Albian canyon head.
varying sizes appear to be present. This braided system A deeper Upper Missisauga canyon
closely corresponds to one of the canyon heads and erodes head (Canyon system C) is also
far back onto the paleoshelf. Although this fluvial system is noted.
slightly younger than the canyon head it likely supplied

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sediments that were transported basinward through the


canyon and into deep water southeast of the figure’s
extents. Within this figure there is a slight discrepancy
between the identified canyons and the deep water
isochron. The depositional thick is situated west of all the
identified canyon incisions, this implies that this thick
deposit was sourced from other canyon systems. The
isochron shown represents an interval below the TD of the
Annapolis and Crimson wells, suggesting that if the wells had
been deepened they would have encountered thick deposits
of the Lower Missisauga Formation.

The Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian/Barremian) figure


combines elements of the depositional environment during
the Upper Missisauga (Figure 27). Line drawing of the shelfal
fluvial systems are shown in dark blue and coincide with
shelf margin canyon (C), shown in transparent dark blue Figure 25: (left) Jurassic
with an isochron thick lying directly outboard the (Oxfordian) Carbonate bank shelf
interpreted canyon incision. The channels are interpreted to edge, eroded by canyons (which
be dominantly fluvial systems with examples of meanders are clearly visible on the isochron
and points bars illustrated by the amplitude slice shown in see figure 4), overlain by a
inset box A. There are some smaller diameter channels as younger (Tithonian) fluvial system
well (~160 m wide) with very low sinuosity and could be with channel features digitised
interpreted to have been formed in a lower energy tidal from a flattened and sliced seismic
environment. Of note within this figure are the two wells volume. The channels are
targeting the deepwater equivalent of the sandy Missisauga cumulative and digitised from 8
interval on the shelf which penetrate an area where the slices (460-488 ms below the K130
Hautervian/Barremian isochron is thin. Isochron values less marker). The isochron on the shelf
than 500 ms (twt) have been clipped from the grid in deep represents the time thickness from
water to highlight the locations of thicker deposits. It is Tithonian- Oxfordian and is
interpreted that isochron thicks, northeast of the current interpreted to represent the
wells, will contain greater volumes of coarse clastics which thickness of the Mic Mac Formation
should significantly increase the possibility of encountering (Above top) Box A contains a
thick reservoir quality Upper Missisauga sands. seismic slice from a flattened
amplitude volume taken 72 ms
The Early Cretaceous (Aptian/Albian) figure displays two
above the J150 seismic horizon.
shelf systems (Figure 25). The underlying green system is a
Citnalta I-59 is a significant gas
meandering, high energy system with well defined scroll
discovery, and the amplitude slice
bars and bar expansion zones (see Inset box A-top). The
shown above corresponds to one of
overlying and younger yellow system is interpreted to be a
the pay intervals from the well.
tidally influenced system. The channel morphology is
(Above) B-B' corresponding seismic
drastically different than the systems 30 ms below. The
line showing horizon slice location
channels are narrow (60-200 m) and show no evidence of
with channel features labelled.
channel migration, and only have minor amounts of
sinuosity. This drastic change in channel geomorphology
across 30 ms of data (~ 75 m) may represent a transgression
in the system. The isochron in deepwater is slightly offset to
the west from the canyon head. Directly outboard the
canyon system at this time is a salt based detachment which
is accommodating a large amount of sediment passing
though this canyon system. This thickness is not represented
on the figure due to a lack of well control within the
detachment and complicated correlation of seismic markers.

Conclusions

Shelf edge canyon incisions and progradational packages


are present on the central Scotian margin, they can be used
to delineate shelf edge trajectories

Seismic geomorphology studies of amplitude information


from 3D seismic surveys on the shelf can be used to
Figure 26: (left) Early Cretaceous
interpret depositional settings and aid in mapping the extent
Lower Missisauga (Valanginian)
of fluvio-deltaic systems
canyon heads and a younger fluvial
Isochron grids generated outboard the Sable Subbasin that system. The outboard isochron
are time equivalent to the fluvio-deltaic systems on the represents a time equivalent
shelf show that there are thick deepwater deposits that are upper slope depocenter.
not penetrated by wells (Above-top) Average trough
amplitude extraction 192-236 ms
Although Annapolis G-24 and Crimson F-81 did encounter below the K130 marker, dark black
sands, they did not test the thickest deposits of Cretaceous indicates high trough values.
sediments outboard the Sable Subbasin. Channels 1, 2 and 3 are
interpreted to represent migrating
fluvial meander bends. (Above)
Seismic line B-B' flattened on the
K130 seismic horizon, highlighting
amplitude extraction window and
the amplitude anomalies related
to the fluvial system shown in the
above amplitude extraction.

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Figure 27: (left) Early Cretaceous


(Hauterivian/Barremian), Upper
Missisauga shelf edge, overlain by
a younger (Barremian) fluvial
system. The channels are digitised
from a single flattened seismic
slice 160 ms above the K130
marker. The isochron represents
the time equivalent interval in
deep water. (Above top) Box A
contains a seismic slice from a
flattened amplitude volume 160
ms above the K130 seismic
horizon, dark black represents a
high trough amplitude value.
(Above) B-B' corresponding seismic
line with fluvial channel features 1
and 2 labelled.

Figure 28: (Left) Lowermost Cree


member canyon heads, high
energy fluvial system (green) and
younger tidal influenced (?) system
(yellow). Equivalent upper slope
depocenter where time thickness
exceeds 600ms.(Above- top)
Average trough amplitude
extraction capturing an interval
4-30ms below K113, black
indicates a high average trough
value. (Above) A seismic time slice
24ms above the K113 horizon
displaying interpreted tidal
channel systems.

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