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The Eagle Plain basin, having proven hydrocarbon potential, is a relatively underexplored intermontane basin located in northern Yukon . Previous studies of the middle Albian-Cenomanian Parkin Formation and the Turonian Fishing Branch Formation are based on broad lithostratigraphic correlations. The primary goal of the study is to refine the sequence stratigraphic framework of the middle to Upper Cretaceous succession based on sedimentological observations. New findings from this study require subdivision of the stratigraphic nomenclature by defining new informal lithological members. Facies transitions, paleoflow indicators and isopach maps indicate overall westward deepening of the basin. Large-scale, sand-prone mass transport deposits observed in the upper part of the lower Parkin shale member in western Eagle Plain indicate the presence of shelf-to-basin floor relief of at least 100 m. Recognition of significant shelf-to-basin floor topography greatly increases the potential for hydrocarbon reservoirs (gas-dominated) in stratigraphic traps associated with the shelf edge.

The Eagle Plain basin and its environs is a potentially prospective petroleum province in Yukon. Extensive initial exploration in this area, focused on discovering crude oil, identified 83.7 Bcf of natural gas and 11.05 MMbbls of crude oil, throughout the succession and across the geographic extent of the basin. This study differs significantly from previous estimates of undiscovered potential, which were less optimistic. Intriguing plays exist associated with the stratigraphic opportunities for entrapment in Paleozoic carbonates against the Richardson Trough, but these appear to be higher risk/reward targets than the continued exploration of the uppermost Paleozoic succession. Additional conceptual play concepts, including those in the Devonian Imperial and Jurassic Porcupine River formations, which have indications of petroleum occurrence, were not quantitatively assessed.

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Yukon’s northern oil and gas basins remained unglaciated during the Pleistocene. The absence of coarse aggregate material generated by glaciation, coupled with continuous permafrost, has required expensive programs of crushing and hauling bedrock for road and infrastructure development. This study examines fluvial deposits associated with the late-Pleistocene Eagle River meltwater channel as potential sources of aggregate for regional development. In particular, it applies a process-depositional model of meltwater channel development to understand the distribution and potential quality of aggregate resources in the area. We identify three zones with meltwater channel development: (i) an upper erosional zone (~ 50 km) of scoured bedrock associated with initial development of the channel; (ii) a middle zone (~ 35 km) of coarse deposition on high terraces associated with initial channel incision; and (iii) a lower zone (~ 75 km) dominated by fine lacustrine and deltaic deposits that likely overlie coarse fluvial deposits with up to 30 m of clay, silt and sand.

In collaboration with the Yukon Geological Survey, the Geological Survey of Canada, and other project partners, Innovate Geothermal Ltd. performed an analysis of geoscience data in southwestern Yukon as part of an effort to better understand the potential for geothermal energy resources that, if present, could be utilized to help reduce fossil fuel use. The study area for this project is located in the vicinity of the Village of Haines Junction (Dakwäkäda) and lies between the Denali and Shakwak fault zones. The main aim of this project is to analyze and interpret a variety of pre-existing and newly acquired geological and geophysical datasets to evaluate where geothermal reservoirs may be present within the study area. A secondary aim is to propose favourable drilling locations, if warranted, for exploratory wells to collect information on subsurface temperature and permeability. The geoscience work accomplished here includes both 2D map interpretation as well as construction of a 3D geologic model that was guided by geophysical inversion modelling of gravity, magnetic and audio-magnetotelluric survey data. At a regional scale, multiple lines of evidence suggest that subsurface temperatures are above the crustal average. More importantly, a municipal water well drilled in 2002 in the Village of Haines Junction produce warm (~20 °C) water from a depth of ~350 m. This water well proves that at least one permeable sediment-hosted geothermal aquifer is present under Haines Junction. Additional geothermal aquifers within the pile of young sediment that sits atop the bedrock are likely present. However, due to a lack of deep drilling in the area, the exact location, temperature, thickness and permeability of such aquifers remains unknown. In this study, a depth-to-bedrock model has been generated to aid with the identification of favourable target areas for exploratory drilling of geothermal wells. The four areas where the top-of-bedrock is deepest have estimated depths in the range 650 to 1225 m below ground surface. Temperature data from two wells in the Haines Junction area suggests the temperature gradient is ~60 °C/km. Thus, geothermal aquifers located near the top-of-bedrock in the four areas identified could have temperatures in the range of 39–74 °C. Production of geothermal fluids from these areas requires permeability in the sediments that sit above the bedrock. Deeper drilling is needed to measure actual subsurface temperatures beneath the village and to identify permeable intervals. Geologic structures and faults that may control permeability in the bedrock remain poorly constrained.

Initiated by the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office, the project Regional Geoscience Studies and Petroleum Potential, Peel Plateau and Plain, Northwest Territories and Yukon (2005 to 2009) involved partners from the Yukon Geological Survey, Geological Suvey of Canada, as well as universities and industry. The research team coupled field-based studies with subsurface analytical techniques to evaluate the study area's hydrocarbon potential. Over 70 interim publications have been produced. This volume compiles chapters devoted to several stratigraphic petroleum plays, along with structural and petroleum systems elements and a digital geodatabase (or atlas) of spatially based data collected during the course of the project . The result is a comprehensive body of geoscience work for Peel area which will be useful too in oil and gas exploration and for regional land use and business planning endeavours.