Nine new locations for prospective light and medium oil development have been identified in Northeast B.C., according to a report released by Geoscience BC today.

The agency has been working to identify potential new plays in the region to address what it calls a "knowledge gap" in the potential for high value light and medium oil in the region, already rich in natural gas reserves.

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“This project has the potential to bring investment in light oil development to northeastern B.C.," project lead Brad Hayes said in a news release.

"This has significantly lower environmental impact than the heavier oils associated with Alberta’s oil sands, and could also help to diversify British Columbia’s economy.”

There were 27 locations identified in the agency's study, called Identification of New Resource Oil Plays in Northeast British Columbia's Portion of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.

Eight of them, however, were rejected for further study. The other 19 were graded from A to C.

The Halfway formation in the greater Peejay and Buick Creek areas, as well as the Chinkeh formation in the Maxhamish area were both identified as A grade targets, according to the report.

The Doig Formation sandstone play was graded A/B due to its existing production and the potential for further development. Six other sites were graded B, indicating real potential but lack evidence of extensive oil fairways, according to the report.

Ten other sites were graded C, or having little realistic prospectivity.

“Light oil is significantly more valuable than the heavier oils," said Carlos Salas, Geoscience BC chief scientific officer and executive vice president.

"Making this new data publicly available helps the energy sector to focus exploration activity and responsible development. It also makes independent data about the potential for unconventional oil development in the region available to communities, First Nations and government.”

Read the report by clicking here.

Project map, Identification of New Resource Oil Plays in Northeast British Columbia's Portion of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. - Geoscience BC



