HYDROCARBON PLAYS IN THE QUEBEC ST. LAWRENCE LOWLANDS : AN OVERVIEW OF THE JUNEX EXPLORATION EFFORT IN THE EARLY PALEOZOIC BASIN

摘要

The Quebec St. Lawrence Lowlands (QSLL) remains relatively unexplored as opposed to the US-Ontario Ordovician platform and the Michigan Basin. However, recent works and new hydrocarbon-exploration models proposed for this Ordovician platform are very promising for hydrocarbon exploration of the QSLL. Over the years, the major targets in the Quebec Province have been located at the Beekmantown and Postdam level. These Early Paleozoic units indicate an interesting potential for gas and brine production. The primary and secondary porosity of some prospective zones give a high potential for gas storage near the distribution network. Over the last three years, JUNEX discovered major shows in the Lower Trenton (Deschambault Formation) of the Becancour and Batiscan prospects. Our model is supported by recent discoveries in the Trenton Group of New York State, which proves high hydrocarbon-production potential. JUNEX approach is to integrate a large regional model involving secondary fracture porosity due to strike-slip faults and dolomitization created by the circulation of hydrothermal fluids. The use of 3D seismic, remote sensing data and magneto-telluric survey helped to constrain that model.