Mackenzie Delta and Corridor: Mapping for Energy (MADACOR)

“Mackenzie Delta and Corridor: Mapping for Energy” (MADACOR) will encompass most of the GEM-Energy hydrocarbon-related activities in the mainland Northwest Territories. The Mackenzie Corridor and Mackenzie Delta contain large discovered hydrocarbon. Recent discoveries in both areas suggest that there remain substantial, undiscovered reserves. The region includes the right-of-way for the proposed Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, which is expected to encourage further exploration.

Although the Mackenzie Corridor is relatively well studied from an oil-and-gas perspective when compared to other northern regions, it is definitely still a frontier area. A comprehensive summary of existing data is needed, and publicly available bedrock geology maps for much of the region are preliminary, black-and-white products. This project will complete the first-ever petroleum resource assessment for the Mackenzie Corridor, update bedrock geology maps for key areas, and generate new data to aid in future oil and gas exploration.

New data acquisition began during 2008-2009, with completion of an Airborne Gravity Survey of the central Mackenzie Valley (jointly funded with the NWT Government). Bedrock mapping will focus on the Mackenzie Plain and Franklin Mountains around Norman Wells, a region where there have been recent new oil and gas discoveries. At the same time, a suite of subsurface geology maps based on reflection-seismic data will be completed for the central Mackenzie Corridor. Thematic studies on stratigraphy and hydrocarbon potential will be done jointly with the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office (NTGO) and will lead to a basin analysis for the region. 

Work in the Beaufort-Mackenzie basin will build upon the extensive datasets generated by previous GSC projects, resulting in new data syntheses and refined oil and gas assessments for the basin. New studies in the Beaufort-Mackenzie Basin will include biostratigraphy, mapping of petroleum-migration fairways based on organic geochemistry, and reflection-seismic studies in the Beaufort Sea. In addition to these activities, thematic studies of source rocks, thermal history, petrophysics, and related subjects will span both of the project’s study areas.

NTGO will be a key collaborator on work in the Mackenzie Corridor. Collaborations with university partners and the private sector are being explored. Proposed reflection-seismic work in the Beaufort Sea will involve collaboration with other GSC programs and industry.

For more information, please contact:
Rob MacNaughton, GSC-Calgary, romacnau@nrcan.gc.ca
(403) 292-7157