Publication Citation

USGS Series Scientific Investigations Report
Report Number 2008-5146
Title Geologic Model for Oil and Gas Assessment of the Kemik-Thomson Play, Central North Slope, Alaska
Edition - Online Only
Language ENGLISH
Author(s) Schenk, Christopher J.; Houseknecht, David W.
Year 2008
Originating office Central Energy Resources Team
USGS Library Call Number
Physical description iv, 28 p.
ISBN
Northernmost latitude 0720000
Southernmost latitude 0680000
Easternmost longitude -1390000
Westernmost longitude -1590000

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Abstract

A geologic model was developed to assess undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Kemik-Thomson Play of the Central North Slope, Alaska. In this model, regional erosion during the Early Cretaceous produced an incised valley system on the flanks and crest of the Mikkelsen High and formed the Lower Cretaceous unconformity. Locally derived, coarse-grained siliciclastic and carbonate detritus from eroded Franklinian-age basement rocks, Carboniferous Kekiktuk Conglomerate (of the Endicott Group), Lisburne Group, and Permian-Triassic Sadlerochit Group may have accumulated in the incised valleys during lowstand and transgression, forming potential reservoirs in the Lower Cretaceous Kemik Sandstone and Thomson sandstone (informal term). Continued transgression resulted in the deposition of the mudstones of the over-lying Cretaceous pebble shale unit and Hue Shale, which form top seals to the potential reservoirs. Petroleum from thermally mature facies of the Triassic Shublik Formation, Jurassic Kingak Shale, Hue Shale (and pebble shale unit), and the Cretaceous-Tertiary Canning Formation might have charged Thomson and Kemik sandstone reservoirs in this play during the Tertiary. The success of this play depends largely upon the presence of reservoir-quality units in the Kemik Sandstone and Thomson sandstone.