The bitumen-bearing Paleozoic carbonate trend of northern Alberta

Huge quantities of bitumen are contained within the Devonian and Mississippian carbonate horizons that subcrop beneath the Cretaceous oil sands of northern Alberta. To date, however, a detailed evaluation of the economic potential of this resource has been confined primarily to the Upper Devonian Grosmont Formation. The production potential of this dolomitic reservoir, which contains approximately 50 X 109 m3 of bitumen, is currently being tested through a series of steam stimulation pilot projects.