Thermochronologic approaches for fundamental energy exploration (TAFFEE)

Rocks, whether they originate as sediments laid in basins or granites formed at depth, usually undergo a unique evolution that involves heating and then cooling until they arrive where they are found today. Of particular importance is the final part of that path, where rocks cool below 350 C as this is the temperature range in which ore deposits form and hydrocarbons mature into oil and gas. Project TAFFEE fuses facilities and expertise from four universities from across Canada with scientists at the Geological Survey of Canada and industry partners in order to develop and improve our ability to measure the time-temperature histories of rocks. Our endeavour is heretofore one of the most difficult analyses to make, but one that is essential to understanding how today's Earth was shaped. To develop the new methods, the project will study sedimentary rocks from the Beaufort-Mackenzie River corridor of the Canadian Cordillera, an area of complex geology, containing crustalblocks separated by faults and each with discrete thermal histories. This complexity has been a major stumbling block in the exploration for new oil and gas reserves, as well as understanding the geological framework in this part of the Cordillera. Knowledge of these variables is critical to improve hydrocarbon exploration success, and will achieve the Geomapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) Program goal of increasing exploration effectiveness in northern Canada. Through the proposed project, at least two PhD, two MSc and several BSc students will gain valuable field experience as well as laboratory knowledge, and will close Canada's current capability gap in the understanding and application of time-temperature methods used in the exploration of natural resources.