British Columbia to collect seismic, geological data in two interior basins

Dec. 3, 2003
The ministry of energy and mines solicited proposals by Dec. 31 to conduct geophysical surveys in the onshore Bowser-Sustut basin northeast of Prince Rupert and the Nechako basin southwest of Prince George.


By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Dec. 3 -- The ministry of energy and mines solicited proposals by Dec. 31 to conduct geophysical surveys in the onshore Bowser-Sustut basin northeast of Prince Rupert and the Nechako basin southwest of Prince George.

The little-explored basins are the largest areas of Jura-Cretaceous clastics in the province's interior (see map, OGJ, June 26, 2000, p. 38).

The ministry sought to identify an industry partner to manage a project once adequate ministry and industry resources are available. A project would emphasize seismic surveys and could also take in high-resolution airborne gravity and magnetic surveys.

The ministry and the Geological Survey of Canada are expediting a 4-year, multimillion-dollar geological survey in the Bowser-Sustut basin and a multiyear study of subsurface data from the Nechako area to better refine the resource potential.

Mapping basin architecture through capture of modern, high-resolution geophysical data and its integration with the new geological data base, will ultimately facilitate basin modeling and help guide exploration, the ministry said.