NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, geological mapping, hydrocarbon exploration, Mackenzie Delta, fossil fuels

Objective(s): To close the knowledge gap created by age of the last field study and proprietary nature of other geological studies in the Mackenzie Delta.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5569. The objectives of the project and its importance are to close the knowledge gap created by age of the last field study and proprietary nature of other geological studies in the Mackenzie Delta. At each field station, the team of researchers will record field observation of the physical properties of rock formations (i.e., logs and photographs, spectral gamma-ray measurements). Field researchers will also collect rock samples (1kg/sample) for geochemical, mineralogical and paleontological analysis. Researchers and contractors will carry out laboratory analyses of field samples. Researcher will incorporate acquired data into updated maps, high-resolution structural and sequence stratigraphic frameworks. Hydrocarbon potential estimates would be reviewed. Both surface and subsurface data will be applied in analyzing potential for carbon sequestration within the subsurface of the Mackenzie Delta. At the conclusion of each year's study, detailed scientific reports will be published and available on the Northwest Territories Geological Survey website and presentations will be given annually at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum and other scientific conferences, as opportune. Additionally, at the conclusion of the main study (~2028), the results will be presented locally in communities, as appropriate or requested. Interim reports may be made available to community organizations upon request. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 13, 2023 to July 29, 2023.