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

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.