Initial analysis of the Jurassic 'Nordegg Member', Fernie Formation: using paleomagnetism to date source rock thermal maturation

摘要

Paleomagnetic analysis demonstrates that the mean inclination, and therefore the age of the magnetization, in the organic-rich shales of the "Nordegg Member" of the Jurassic Fernie Formation correlates with thermal maturity indices. In the immature wells, the magnetization is probably Early to Middle Jurassic (I = 60 °± 5 °), in the mature wells, Late Jurassic (I = 70 ° ± 3 °) and in the overmature wells, Late Cretaceous (I = 77 ° + 7/-5 °). The change in inclination with time, which reflects varying ages of magnetization, also allows the possibility that the inclination can be used as a proxy for the maturity level in the "Nordegg Member" and thereby aid in petroleum exploration.