This digital data release includes adsorption isotherm and proximate analysis results of selected samples for shale- and siltstone-hosted hydrocarbons. The strata evaluated include the:
- basal Banff Formation,
- Colorado Group,
- Duvernay Formation,
- Exshaw Formation,
- Montney Formation,
- Muskwa Formation,
- Wilrich Member,
- Nordegg Member, and
- Rierdon Formation.
Lithologies are generalized and based on visual description.
Allocation of stratigraphic unit names was based on available stratigraphic information at the time of sampling. No attempt was made to reallocate samples within a consistent regional stratigraphic framework. In some cases, stratigraphic unit allocation may be incorrect.
We compiled the data into a single dataset for ease of use. A combination of Sample_ID, Site_ID and Point_Sequence will result in unique records. A site may have multiple samples, and each sample may have multiple analyses performed on it.
Fields with blank analysis values indicates that the specified test was not run on that sample. The number of significant digits of the sample results is provided by the laboratory. Trailing zeros may have been dropped by Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access.
All attributes have well defined domains and were found to be valid within the domains.
The term shale describes a fine-grained, organic-rich rock and may not imply fissility.
Adsorption Isotherm indicates gas storage capacity of organic matter in a sample.
We collected representative core samples based on available core for the target formations in order to get a reasonable spatial distribution of data. The core did not always cover the entire target interval. Sampling was focused at a higher density in the shale targets and fine-grained rocks. Lower density sampling was done in other lithologies and bounding formations. Outcrop sampling was performed on target formations where accessible. If Date_Collected is 01-Jan-20xx, we collected the sample during the year indicated, but the exact date is unknown.
In some cases samples were combined to get enough material for an isotherm analysis (sample_type = "combined"). If there was no Total Organic Carbon (TOC) run on the combined sample then we have included the orginal sample TOC data (TOC will not be null).
All samples that have adsorption isotherm analyses are included in the dataset. Images consisting of pressure vs. adsorbed gas and Langmuir parameters are included and referenced in the Image_Filename field. Not all samples include images.
We collected outcrop samples from various outcrop sites during fieldwork excursions from 2007 to 2011. Core samples were collected at the Alberta Energy Regulator’s Core Research Centre.
Geologists recorded the sample and site information, such as location, depth, formation, and a brief lithological description at the time of collection. Representative splits of the samples were made and sent to the labs for adsorption isotherm analysis.