Origin and evolution of formation waters, Alberta Basin, Western Canada sedimentary Basin. I. Chemistry

Abstract

Inorganic chemical analyses and short-chain aliphatic acid content are used to interpret the origin and compositional evolution of formation waters in the Alberta portion of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. Forty-three formation water samples were obtained covering a stratigraphic interval from Devonian to Cretaceous. The data show that: (1) there is a subaerially evaporated brine component that shows no apparent contribution of waters derived from evaporite dissolution; and (2) formation waters have maintained characteristics indicative of subaerially evaporated waters, despite subsequent flushing by gravity-driven meteoric waters in the basin. Formation waters are predominantly Na Cl brines that contain 4–235g/l total dissolved solids (TDS). Short-chain aliphatic acids (SCA) range up to 932 mg/l, with the following abundance: acetate ≫propionate>butyrate. Their number varies randomly with subsurface temperature, depth, geological age and salinity. Instead, SCA distributions appear related to proximity to Jurassic and Mississippian source rocks and to zones of active bacterial SO 4 reduction. Based on chemical composition, the formation waters can be divided into three groups. Group I waters are from dominantly carbonate reservoirs and Group II from clastics. Groups I and II are differentiated from Group III in that they are composed of a brine end member, formed by evaporation of sea water beyond the point of halite saturation, that has been subsequently diluted 50–80% by a meteoric water end member. Group III waters are from clastic reservoirs and are dilute, meteoric waters that are decoupled from the more saline, stratigraphically lower, waters of Groups I and II. Group I waters have been influenced by clay mineral transformations in shales surrounding the carbonate reservoirs, ankeritization reactions of reservoir dolomites and calcites, and possible decar☐ylation reactions. Group II waters indicate significant leaching reactions, particularly of feldspar and clay minerals. Group I and Group II waters both indicate ion exchange reactions were also possible. The waters are near equilibrium with respect to quartz, calcite, dolomite and barite, but are undersaturated with respect to evaporite minerals (halite, anhydrite). Occurrence of feldspar (predominantly albite) and kaolinite seems to control the population of the water cations. Post-Laramide invasion of meteoric waters provided an impetus for many of the diagenetic reactions in both carbonate, but especially in clastic reservoirs. Subsequent hydrochemical isolation of Group I and II waters from further meteoric influences occurred, resulting in pronounced mixing relations and cross-formational fluid flow replacing the once dominant lateral flow.