This data release contains hydraulic head data used to create a hydraulic head map of the Exshaw–Banff hydrostratigraphic unit (HSU). The data were acquired from publicly available pressure data from drillstem tests (DSTs) from oil and gas wells.
Data have been processed, relevant records selected, and outliers removed to compile this dataset.
The mid-point of the sampled interval is a calculated value and its accuracy is dependent on the accuracy of the measured depths and elevations provided in the well header. These values are somewhat inconsistent for the water wells because many of them are not surveyed. For the oil and gas wells, the well elevations and locations are surveyed, so precision will be to the same number of significant digits as provided by the data source, even though there may be considerable uncertainty as to where the sample actually came from.
The location of the sampled interval in oil and gas wells may be accurate to within millimetres in accordance with surveying standards at the time of drilling.
Process steps for selection of pressure data from DSTs:
1. Records containing depth of tested interval, recovery information, and recovered water were selected;
2. The tested interval was constrained to less than or equal to 50 m;
3. DSTs were allocated to the Exshaw– Banff HSU based on the depth information of the tested interval;
4. DSTs from intervals straddling the top or bottom of the Exshaw–Banff HSU were excluded, unless they were from wells in data-poor areas and it was verified that less than 30% of the tested interval extended into the formation directly above or below the HSU, but not into any other formation.
5. DST pressure values were considered potentially valid if there was evidence of a mechanically sound test (no misruns), pressures had stabilized or were close to stabilization (tests must have Pmax), and flow and shut-in times were reported.
DSTs were individually examined to remove any remaining non-representative fluid pressures. Outliers were manually removed during the mapping process based on the following conditions:
1. Final shut-in and final flow times less than 30 minutes
2. Final shut-in time less than the final flow time
3. Difference between final and initial shut-in pressures was more than 25% (may be indicative of supercharging)
4. Substantial gas flow or significant oil recovery
Regional potentiometric surfaces were created using static water levels from water wells and pressure data from DSTs. Pressure data were converted to equivalent freshwater hydraulic heads using the relationship: Hydraulic Head = Completion Mid Point Elevation + Pressure / ρg, where ρ = fluid density (1000 kg/m3 for freshwater), g = gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s2), pressure is measured in kPa (kg/ms2), and hydraulic head and mid point elevation are measured in metres above sea level (m asl).
This dataset includes only those wells that were used in the production of final potentiometric surfaces. Details about the screening process can be found in the following reference: Jensen, G.K.S., Rostron, B., Palombi, D. and Melnik, A. (2013): Saskatchewan Phanerozoic Fluids and Petroleum Systems project: hydrogeological mapping framework; in Summary of investigations 2013, Volume 1, Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Ministry of the Economy, Misc. Rep. 2013-4.1, Paper A5, 10 p., URL http://publications.gov.sk.ca/details.cfm?p=80100 [October 2014].