2. Produce several 1-D burial models across the
extent of the Cheshire Basin.
Model a series of alternate scenarios for the
burial history of the Northern Cheshire Basin.
Develop the models utilising Novva software.
3. Sedimentary fill is
of Permian-
Jurassic age
Vast erosion
leads to removal
of younger
sediments
Thicknesses are
variable within
the basin
Source
Units
Blacon East – Input Stratigraphy
8. Basin models
generated using
Novva software
Data used in the
modelling process
was taken from
publicly available
sources
Kerogen kinetics
information was
available for all
source units
11. Reduced Original Increased
Variscan Inversion 150m 300m 600m
Cimmerian Inversion 125m 250m 500m
Tertiary Inversion 400m 800m 1600m
Cimmerian Inversion
controls final
maturity
Re-generation is
unlikely in the
Tertiary
Difference of 15% in
the transformation
ratios of the
Bowland-Hodder
Shales
Increased
Reduced
13. Maximum
generation in the
Cretaceous
Partial desorption
possible during
the Tertiary
igneous event
Overall there is
good evidence for
adsorption
through time
14. More aesthetic
outputs
More accurate heat-flow
reconstruction
User-defined
kerogen input
Accessibility
Requires addition of
more features
15. Most prominent area for exploration is on the
northern basin slope, at a depth of around:1500-
2000m.
Peak maturity is achieved around 180Ma (Cimmerian
inversion).
Understanding the maximum burial and amount of
erosion during this event is paramount to identifying
the most prospective areas for shale-gas exploration.
Re-triggering of generation in the Tertiary was unlikely
with the Carboniferous source rocks partially matured.
16. Future exploration work should be targeted on the
basin slope – at depths of around 1750m to top
Permo-Trias.
A technical evaluation of the source units; to
determine the effectiveness of artificial fracturing.
-No public domain data
-Common analogues are not applicable (Waters et al.
2009).
Novva software needs to continue being developed,
improving reliability and adding functionality.
17. Supervisors – James Armstrong and Kevin Taylor
Software – Sirius Exploration Geochemistry
Kerogen Kinetics data – Petroleum Systems ltd.
18. Andrews, I. J. 2013. The Carboniferous Bowland Shale gas study: geology and resource
estimation. British Geological Survey for Department of Energy and Climate Change,
London.
Armstrong, J. P., Smith, J., D’Elia, V. A. A., & Trueblood, S.P. 1997. The occurrence and
correlation of oils and Namurian source rocks in the Liverpool Bay-North Wales area. In:
Meadows, N. S., Trueblood, S.P., Hardman, M. & Cowan, G. (eds.) Petroleum Geology of
the Irish Sea and Adjacent Areas. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 124,
195-211.
Igas Energy (Ltd.) 2012. Results Presentation & Shale Update. June 2012. Energy
Institute, London.
Mikkelsen, P. W. & Floodpage, J. B. 1997. The hydrocarbon potential of the Cheshire
Basin. In: Meadows, N. S., Trueblood, S. P., Hardman, M. & Cowan, G. (eds.) Petroleum
Geology of the Irish Sea and Adjacent Areas. Geological Society, London, Special
Publications, 124, 161-183.
Plant, J. A., Jones, D. G. & Haslam, H. W. (eds.) 1999. The Cheshire Basin: Basin
evolution, fluid movement and mineral resources in a Permo-Triassic rift setting. British
Geological Survey for Department of Energy and Climate Change, London.
Waters, C. N., Waters, R. A., Barclay, W. J. & Davies, J. R. 2009. A lithostratigraphical
framework for the Carboniferous successions of southern Great Britain (Onshore).
British Geological Survey Report, Nottingham.
21. Figure - Early Carboniferous basins and
platforms of northern England. (Modified from
Andrews 2013) *CLH = Central Lancashire High;
HH = Holme High
22.
23.
24. Input Reason
TOC Evaluate present and assess original organic
richness
Depths/thicknesses of stratigraphic units Assess present day overburden
Eroded thicknesses Restore previously removed overburden
Lithology Aid in assessment of thermal conductivity,
enabling estimation of heat-flow through
history
Vitrinite Reflectance Calibrate the models heat-flow history
Geothermal Gradient Calibrate the post-depositional thermal
regime
As well as the key data, additional information was also gathered in order to produce
more precise models:
Present day surface temperature
Palaeo-surface temperature
Well location
Well datum
Downhole temperature
Sea level fluctuations through time (Palaeoelevation/palaeobathymetry)
Tectonic history
Kerogen information
25. Event/Unit Start age (Ma) Reference
Glacial 1 Aitkenhead et al. 2002
Tertiary unconformity 54 Kirby et al. 2000
Mesozoic deposition 176 Kirby et al. 2000
Mercia Mudstone Group 235 Aitkenhead et al. 2002
Sherwood Sandstone Group 245 Aitkenhead et al. 2002
Manchester Marl 251 Aitkenhead et al. 2002
Collyhurst Sandstone 260 Pearson and Russell2000
Variscan unconformity 277 Kirby et al. 2000
Westphalian deposition 312.5 Aitkenhead et al. 2002
Upper Namurian Limestone 316 Aitkenhead et al. 2002
Holywell Shales (Upper and Lower) 320 Fraser and Gawthorpe 1990
Lower Namurian Limestone 324 Pearson and Russell 2000
Upper Bowland Shale 328 Fraser and Gawthorpe 1990
Upper Dinantian Limestone Group 330 Fraser and Gawthorpe 1990
Lower Bowland Shale 334 Fraser and Gawthorpe 1990
Lower Dinantian Limestone Group 335 Fraser and Gawthorpe 1990
Hodder Shale 339 Fraser and Gawthorpe 1990