INSIGHTS FROM NEW GEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK AND ENERGY RESOURCE STUDIES OF THE FRONTIER BOWSER AND SUSTUT BASINS, NORTH-CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

New research on energy resource potential of the frontier Bowser and Sustut basins of the Canadian Cordillera includes geological mapping and a suite of energy resource related thematic studies. The new data and interpretations of thematic studies provide advances on a number of fronts. For example, new apatite fission track thermochronology data are consistent with the regional levels of thermal maturation as defined by vitrinite reflectance studies. The latter indicate highly variable thermal maturity. The northern Bowser Basin and western Sustut Basin are in the early oil to condensate-dry gas generation stage of thermal maturation, making these areas the most prospective for petroleum generation and preservation. Fieldwork and analysis of molecular crude oil samples has led to identification of at least 4 effective petroleum systems in the Bowser and Sustut basins, and has identified sub-Bowser strata as one of the sources. Interpretation of regional potential field data and measurements of density and magnetic susceptibility of rocks from the region provide new information on the depth to basement and possible basement structures. New geological mapping has significantly revised the distribution of lithofacies assemblages of the Bowser Lake Group, and has elucidated structural geometries. Analysis of detrital zircons from sandstone samples from Bowser Basin strata add an additional facet to interpretation of the depositional history of the region. Samples chosen for analysis have depositional ages constrained by previous paleontological studies, and are from diverse geography, map units, and ages. The results, based on over 700 U-Pb SHRIMP analyses of detrital zircons from 13 sandstone samples of Bowser Lake Group show that Bowser Basin was receiving detritus from sources of Early Triassic age to as young as the depositional age of the rock.