Bluesky Formation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bluesky Formation | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: | |
 Bluesky Sandstone | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Unit of | Fort St. John Group |
| Underlies | Wilrich Member |
| Overlies | Gething Formation |
| Thickness | up to 46 metres (150 ft)[1] |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Sandstone |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 56°02′39″N 118°07′39″W / 56.0442°N 118.1274°W |
| Region | Western Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Type section | |
| Named for | Bluesky, Alberta |
| Named by | Peter C. Badgley, 1952 |
The Bluesky Formation is a stratigraphic unit of Lower Cretaceous age in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. It takes the name from the hamlet of Bluesky, and was first described in Shell's Bluesky No. 1 well by Badgley in 1952.[2]
The formation is composed of mudstones, conglomerates and sandstones which can be quartzose or contain chert grains.[1] Many of the Bluesky sandstones do not display bedding features although some low and moderate-angle large scale cross-bedding has been observed in some sections.[3] The sediments were deposited in both marginally marine nearshore and fully marine offshore settings following a transgression of the ancient Moosebar Sea.[4] Bluesky sediments are separated from Gething strata by a scoured or loaded contact and occasionally by a burrowed Glossifungites surface.[3] The Bluesky Formation can be very porous and produces hydrocarbons in many areas across Western Canada.[5] Heavy oil is produced from the Bluesky formation in the Peace River area.
Distribution
The Bluesky Formation reaches a thickness of 46 meters (151 ft) in the Pouce Coupe area, and thins out toward north and west. Thin sands can be found in the Peace River area.
