Canadian Arctic Petroleum Systems - East (CAPSE) Project

The Canadian Arctic Petroleum Systems - East (CAPSE) Project will focus on the frontier basins of the Eastern Arctic, including the Saglek Basin, Cumberland Basin, Baffin Shelf, Lancaster Basin, Jones Sound, and southern Ellesmere Island.

The 2-TCF natural gas discovery in the northern Saglek Basin, at the mouth of Frobisher Bay, represents the only established petroleum resource in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. However, active oil seeps have been identified at Scott Inlet along the Baffin Shelf and in Barrow Strait along the North-West Passage. Further, RadarSat images have identified many sea-surface slick features interpreted to be the result of undiscovered seeps, and imply additional broadly distributed petroleum systems.

CAPSE is a multi-thematic activity to develop a regional synthesis of geological and geophysical studies to broadly address issues regarding potential petroleum source and seal rocks, identification of structural traps, improve the understanding of the formation and evolution of these frontier basins, and provide a framework to guide future petroleum exploration.

An aggressive 4-year field component is planned for CAPSE, including: airborne magnetic and gravity surveying; ship-borne multibeam bathymetry and dredge-sampling for geochemical analysis; and marine reflection and refraction seismic acquisition. Satellite radar imagery will be used to identify seep locations for the targeted site-survey work. A reconnaissance activity on southern Bylot Island will acquire samples for palynological analysis to establish stratigraphic ages and geochemical analysis to define source rock potential for the Lancaster Basin to the north. Digital compilations will be assembled into a comprehensive GIS framework for analysis and distribution.

CAPSE will also be used to identify environmental concerns for the responsible development and stewardship of these resources in the fragile environments of the Canadian Arctic.

Partners will include the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS), the National Energy Board (NEB), the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office (C-NGO), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Danish Surveys and mapping (KMS), the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), and the German Institute of Geoscience (BGR).

For more information, please contact:
Gordi Oakey, GSC-Atlantic, goakey@nrcan.gc.ca
(902) 426-3549