Geography of Shale and Tight Resources

There is significant potential for shale and tight resource development in various regions of Canada.

Shale and Tight Gas

Shale and tight gas resources are found in almost all provinces and territories. Most of the current production activities are occurring in the Montney formation in northeast British Columbia.

Principal shale and tight gas formations in Canada:

• Muskwa, Otter Park and Evie (Horn River Basin) (BC)
• Evie, Muskwa and Otter Park (Cordova Embayment) (BC)
• Muskwa and Besa River (Liard Basin) (BC and YT)
• Montney (BC and AB)
• Duvernay (AB)
• Kettle Point (ON)
• Utica (QC)
• Frederick Brook (NB)
• Horton Bluff (NS)
• Canol (YT)

Tight Oil

Tight oil resources are found in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec (Anticosti Island), Newfoundland and Labrador (western Newfoundland) and the Northwest Territories. Most of the current production activities are occurring in the Bakken, Viking and Cardium formations in Western Canada.

Principal tight oil formations in Canada:

• Bakken/Exshaw (BC, AB, SK and MB)
• Montney/Doig (BC and AB)
• Duvernay/Muskwa (AB)
• Cardium and Beaverhill Lake Group (AB)
• Viking (AB and SK)
• Lower Shaunavon (SK)
• Lower Amaranth (MB)
• Macasty (Anticosti) (QC)
• Green Point (NL)
• Canol (NT)