Open Data

Compilation of In Situ Stress Data from Alberta and Northeastern British Columbia (tabular data, tab delimited)

Description

This digital dataset is the compilation of an analysis of the in situ stress regime in several regions of Alberta and northeastern British Columbia conducted by Dr. Sebastian Bell under a contract with the Alberta Geological Survey from 1999 to 2004. The dataset includes both new and previously published estimates for vertical stress gradients, minimum horizontal stress gradients, and stress orientation. Understanding the state of stress in the subsurface has always been important in the development of energy resources. The recent development of unconventional oil sand and low permeability hydrocarbon deposits, waste fluid disposal, greenhouse gas sequestration, and potential geothermal energy extraction all require knowledge of the state of stress to operate safely and economically. A lack of understanding of the state of stress in a given project area has the potential to negatively affect the economics of such projects and may expose operators to increased liabilities. Regional-scale studies of the stress regime indicate that in southern and central Alberta the vertical stress (Sv) is the largest principal stress. The Sv magnitude is determined from the overburdened load and is calculated by integrating the bulk density log from ground surface to the depth of interest. This dataset contains 724 vertical stress gradient measurements from 126 wells in Alberta. The minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) can be evaluated using a variety of tests. While leak-off tests and fracture breakdown pressures have been used in the past for estimating the magnitude of the Shmin, mini-fracture tests (also known as DFITS) are currently considered a more accurate and consistent method. This dataset includes only mini-fracture test data, consisting of 106 minimum horizontal stress gradient measurements in 83 wells. Alberta was one of the first regions in the world where stress mapping began, originating in the pioneering 'borehole breakout' developments of Dr. Bell from the Geological Survey of Canada in Calgary and Dr. Gough from the University of Alberta. The Shmin orientations can be determined from borehole breakouts, which are spalled cavities that occur on opposite walls of a borehole. This dataset contains 214 stress orientation measurements from 133 wells.

Updated

August 9, 2016

Tags
72E 72L 72M 73D 73E 73L 73M 74D 74E 74L 74M 82G 82H 82I 82J 82N 82O 82P 83A 83B 83C 83D 83E 83F 83G 83H 83I 83J 83K 83L 83M 83N 83O 83P 84A 84B 84C 84D 84E 84F 84G 84H 84I 84J 84K 84L 84M 84N 84O 84P ALBERTA BRITISH-COLUMBIA CANADA GEOLOGY GEOSCIENTIFICINFORMATION HORIZONTAL-STRESSES MINIFRAC STRESS-ORIENTATION STRESSES VERTICAL-GRADIENT VERTICAL-STRESSES

Title and Dataset Information

Alternative Title

Compilation of In Situ Stress Data from Alberta and Northeastern British Columbia (tabular data, tab delimited)

Date Modified

2016-08-09

Update Frequency

Every 2 months

Publisher / Creator Information

Publisher

Alberta Energy Regulator

Subject Information

Start Date

2015-09-15

End Date

2016-06-30

Resource Dates

Date Created

2016-08-01

Date Added to catalogue

2020-04-30T04:11:54.712665

Date Issued

2016-08-01

Date Modified

2016-08-09

Identifiers

Usage / Licence

Contact

Contact Name

Alberta Geological Survey

Contact Email

AGS-Info@aer.ca