Regional Organic Metamorphism in the Mesozoic Strata of the Sverdrup Basin

ABSTRACT Interpretation has been made of the level of organic metamorphism and the nature of the associated hydrocarbons at three stratigraphic levels of the Mesozoic section of the Sverdrup Basin in the Canadian Arctic Islands. The organically mature zone or oil window, as determined by cuttings-gas analyses, falls between 6,500 ft and 11,000 ft of maximum burial below the base of the Tertiary. Potential reservoir rocks including the Isachsen, Heiberg, and Bjorne sandstones lie in juxtaposition to mature shales in different areas of the basin.