Abstract
Lower Cretaceous oils in southern Alberta have been assessed using column chromatography, sulphur analysis, gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These oils can be divided into four oil families, E, Q, EQ and F, on the basis of biomarker characteristics. Family E oils are characterized by low pristane/phytane ratios and a C 35 homohopane prominence. Family Q oils are identified by the presence of so-called “Q compounds” (Q/R ratio > 0.5) and have high C 27 diasterane to regular sterane ratios. Family EQ oils are a mixture of Family E and Family Q oils, with biomarker characteristics intermediate between these two families and low abundance of “Q compounds” (Q/R ratio < 0.5). Family F oils have high saturate/aromatic ratios, high pristane/phytane ratios (> 1.2) and no C 35 homohopane prominence. Oil-source rock correlation to available source rock data suggest that Family E oils are derived from the Upper Devonian-Mississippian Exshaw Formation and Family Q oils correlate to the Lower Cretaceous Ostracode Zone. Family F oils are likely derived from shales of the Upper Jurassic Rierdon Formation, however additional geochemistry data from this potential source rock are required to confirm this interpretation.
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