Micropaleontology of Selected Wells and Seismic Shot Holes, Northern Alaska

By Michael B. Mickey1, Hideyo Haga1, and Kenneth J. Bird2 Open-File Report 2006-1055 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey ______________________________________________________________________ 1. Micropaleo Consultants, Encinitas, California 2. U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California

U.S. Department of the Interior Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, California 2006

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Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.

Contents Introduction and Summary Background Current Study Distribution Charts Data Sheets Diversity Graphs Reports Seismic Shot Hole Samples Acknowledgements References Cited Figures

1. Map showing locations of wells and correlation sections 2. Map showing seismic line and shot hole locations 3. Microfossil zonation scheme, stratigraphy, and ages Well folder: Charts of microfossil abundance for each of 49 wells Well folder: Graphs of microfossil diversity for each of 49 wells

Tables

1. Summary listing of wells and seismic lines 2. Conversion of microfossil relative abundance to numerical abundance Well folder: Microfossil data sheets for each of 49 wells 3. Table of seismic shot hole paleontology

Reports

Well folder: Interpretive report for each of 49 wells Plates

1. Correlation section B-1 of selected wells 2. Correlation section B-2 of selected wells 3. Correlation section B-3 of selected wells

Micropaleontology of Selected Wells and Seismic Shot Holes, Northern Alaska By Michael B. Mickey, Hideyo Haga, and Kenneth J. Bird Introduction and Summary

This report provides micropaleontologic data (foraminifera, pollen, spores, and microplankton) and interpretations of the rocks penetrated by 49 wells and 3,134 seismic shot holes distributed among 73 seismic lines (figs. 1, 2; table 1). All shot holes and 30 wells are located within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA); the remaining 19 wells are located adjacent to the NPRA. The biostratigraphic zonation scheme, stratigraphy, and geologic ages followed in this study are summarized in figure 3. This update brings paleontologic analyses performed at various times over several decades to a current, unified set of interpretations that benefit from the evolution of northern Alaska biostratigraphic understanding developed during the past 33-years by Mickey and Haga.

For each well, paleontologic information includes microfossil distribution charts, data spreadsheets, diversity graphs, and interpretive reports describing age and environments of deposition. Three biostratigraphic well-correlation sections that relate Chukchi Sea wells to onshore northwestern NPRA wells are also included. For all analyzed seismic shot hole samples, foraminiferal age and environmental interpretations are provided; palynological interpretations are provided only for those shot hole samples collected and analyzed after 1976, a little less than half of the total number of samples. Background

All wells in this report were analyzed and reported on in earlier times. Those wells in the NPRA, with the exception of the Brontosaurus well, were studied as part of the 1974-1981 government program (Gryc, 1988). Summaries of those interpretations are provided in tabular form by Witmer, Haga, and Mickey (1981) and Witmer, Mickey, and Haga (1981) and in graphical form by Magoon and others (1988). Wells outside of the NPRA were studied on an individual and sometimes proprietary basis; only some of the reports are available in the public well files available from the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Anchorage, or from the Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service, Anchorage.

Paleontologic reports of seismic shot hole samples collected during the 1974 to 1981 NPRA program were made publicly available in 1981 (Gibson and Bowsher, 1981). Analyses of shot hole samples from earlier surveys (1947–1949) have not previously been publicly available. Those samples were processed only for foraminifera and the slides are presently archived at the Alaska Geologic Materials Center in Eagle River.

ALASKA

TeshekpukLake

Plate 3

Plate 2

Plate 1

160°W 155°W 150°W

68°N

69°N

70°N

71°N

Nuiqsut

Umiat

Barrow

Wainwright

Atqasuk

Lisburne

Cabot

Diamond

Akulik

TungakCreek

Tunalik

Koluktak

Seabee

Burger

Klondike

Crackerjack

Popcorn

Antares 1 Orion

Mars

NechelikSouth Harrison Bay

North Kalikpik

East Teshekpuk

Ikpikpuk

South MeadeKugrua

Peard

North Inigok

Inigok

Bergschrund 1

Kookpuk

Fiord 1

ItkillikRiver

West Fish Creek

Atigaru Point

Drew Point

East Simpson 1East Simpson 2

South Simpson

Kuyanak

West DeaseTulageak

Iko Bay

Cape Halkett

W.T. Foran

Fireweed

J.W. DaltonTexaco Colville Delta 1/1A

Walakpa 1

South Barrow 1

Walakpa 2

Brontosaurus

Awuna

NPRA boundary

Correlation sections

BLM lease sale planning areasUpdated wells

50 km

50 mi

Figure 1. Location of wells with updated paleontology and well-correlation sections.

Albers projection

10 0 10 20 30 40 50 KILOMETERS

10 0 10 20 30 40 MILES

Seismic lineShot hole location68°30’

69°00’

69°30’

70°00’

70°30’

71°00’

162°

160°158° 156°

154° 152°

NPRA boundary

1A4843A

4-48-43

3-48-43

3-48-43

5-48-43

2-48-43

2-48-43

2A-4

8-43

6-48-43

14-48-47

20-48-46

16-48-46 6-48-46

12-48-46

1-48-43

10-48-468-48-46

4-48-46

18-48-46

21-4

8-47

22-48-46

24-48

-47

26-4

8-47

19-48-47

23-48-47

27-4

8-47

28-48-4730-48-47

2B-48-43

29-48-4714A-48-47

Figure 2. Map showing location of seismic lines and shot holes with micropaleontology.

51-7

5

51-7

5

1-49-44

29-7

7

37-77

37X-

75

37X-

75

37X-

78

45X-

78

45-7

7

46-7

7

51X-

78

35-4

9-47

35-4

9-47

34-49-47

32-49-47

33-49-47

2-47-46

1-47-43

2-47-43

2-47-43

3-47-433-47-43

3-47-434-47-46

5-47-46

6-47-46

7-47

-43

8-47-43

9-47-46

10-47-4611-47-46

12-47-46

13-47-46

14-47-46

15-47-46

16-47-43

18-47-43

19-4

7-43

20-47-46

Table 1. Summary listing of wells and seismic lines with shot hole paleontology considered in this report. See figures 1 and 2 for locations.

WELLS DISTRIBUTION CHARTS (.PDF)

DATA SHEETS (.XLS)

DIVERSITY GRAPHS

(.PDF)

REPORT (.PDF)

SEISMIC LINES

1 Akulik X X X X 1-47 26-48 2 Antares 1 (OCS 280-1) X X X X 2-47 27-48 3 Atigaru Point X X X X 3-47 28-48 4 Awuna X X X X 4-47 29-48 5 Bergschrund 1 X X X X 5-47 30-48 6 Brontosaurus X X X X 6-47 1-49 7 Burger (OCS 1413) X X X X 7-47 1X-1-49 8 Cabot (OCS 0742) X X X X 8-47 2X-1-49 9 Cape Halkett X X X X 9-47 3X-1-49

10 Colville Delta 1/1A X X X X 10-47 5X-1-49 11 Crackerjack (OCS 1320) X X X X 11-47 5W-R-1-49 12 Diamond (OCS 0996) X X X X 12-47 32-49 13 Drew Point X X X X 13-47 33-49 14 East Simpson 1 X X X X 14-47 34-39 15 East Simpson 2 X X X X 15-47 35-49 16 East Teshekpuk X X X X 16-47 29X-77 17 Fiord 1 X X X X 18-47 37-77 18 Fireweed (OCS 0267) X X X X 19-47 37X-75 19 Iko Bay X X X X 20-47 37X-78 20 Ikpikpuk X X X X R? 45-77 21 Inigok X X X X 1-A-48 45X-78 22 Itkillik River Unit X X X X 2A-B-48 46-77 23 J.W. Dalton X X X X 2A-C-48 51-75 24 Klondike (OCS 1482) X X X X 2A-D-48 51X-78 25 Koluktak X X X X 2A-2-48 26 Kookpuk X X X X 2B-48 27 Kugrua X X X X R-1-17-48 28 Kuyanak X X X X 1-48 29 Lisburne X X X X 2-48 30 Mars (OCS 0302) X X X X 3-48 31 Nechelik X X X X 4-48 32 North Inigok X X X X 5-48 33 North Kalikpik X X X X 6-48 34 Orion (OCS 0804) X X X X 8-48 35 Peard X X X X 10-48 36 Popcorn (OCS 1275) X X X X 11-48 37 Seabee X X X X 12-48 38 South Barrow 1 X X X X 13-48 39 South Harrison Bay X X X X 14-48 40 South Meade X X X X 14A-48 41 South Simpson X X X X 16-48 42 Tulageak X X X X 17-48 43 Tunalik X X X X 18-48 44 Tungak Creek X X X X 19-48 45 Walakpa 1 X X X X 20-48 46 Walakpa 2 X X X X 21-48 47 West Dease X X X X 22-48 48 West Fish Creek X X X X 23-48 49 W.T. Foran X X X X 24-48

MICROPALEOCONSULTANTS

BIOSTRATIGRAPHY CHARTALASKAN - CANADIAN ARCTIC

Prepared By:MICHAEL B. MICKEY - FORAMINIFERA

HIDEYO HAGA - PALYNOMORPHSJanuary, 2006

329 Chapalita DriveEncinitas, CA 92024(760) 942-6082email: micropaleo@cox.net

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11.61

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85.8

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93.5

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145.5

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164.7

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171.6

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216.5

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253.8

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265.8

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306.5

311.7

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345.3

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112

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83.5

85.8

89.3

93.5

99.6

125

130

136.4

140.2

145.5

150.8

155

161.2

164.7

167.7

171.6

175.6

183

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196.5

199.6

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216.5

228

237

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249.7

253.8

260.4

265.8

268

270.6

275.6

284.4

294.6

299

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F - 3A (2)

F - 3A (3)

F - 3A (4)

F - 3B (1)

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F - 3B (3)

F - 3B (4)

F - 4 (1)

F - 4 (2)

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~~~

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~~~~

~~~~

~~~~~~

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70

75

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

125

135

130

140

145

150

155

160

165

170

175

180

185

190

195

200

205

210

215

220

225

230

235

240

245

250

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

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Drafted by: Ed Padilla1Modified from Molenaar, Bird & Kirk, 1987Absolute Ages from Gradstein, Ogg, Smith, et al. (2004)

251

Color Code according to the United States Geological Survey

CE

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PA

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33.9

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48.6

55.8

58.7

61.7

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0.126

1.806

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~~~~~~~~~

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~~~~~~~~~

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.

255

260

265

270

275

280

285

290

295

300

305

310

315

320

325

330

335

340

345

350

355

360

365

370

F-20b

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MAMET’SZONES

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|

M22

M21

M20

M19

M18

M17

M16

M15

M14

M13

M12

M11

M10

M9

M8

M7

M6

M5

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~~~

UNNAMED SHALEEC

HO

OK

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“JOE CREEKLIMESTONE”

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“UP

PE

R L

IME

ST

ON

E U

NIT

”

“LO

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UN

IT”

“DOLOMITE UNIT”

KA

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K F

M.

ITK

ILY

AR

IAK

FM

.

KEKIKTUK FM.

Basement, Argillite, Quartzite& Schist

No Pattern

Nonmarine Conglomerate or Sandstone

Marginal Marine Sandstone or Silstone

Sandstone

Shale or Mudstone

Slightly Organic Shale

Moderately Organic Shale

Highly Organic Shale

Shelly Calcarenite

Limestone

Dolomite

Conglomerate

Sandstone

Siltstone & Shale or Mudstone

STRATIGRAPHY LEGEND

Colors Patterns

Current Study

In the current study, no new well samples were processed or analyzed. Data from existing paper copy records were transcribed and age interpretations were reviewed and, in some cases, reinterpreted. Three types of displays were created from the transcribed data: distribution charts, data sheets, and diversity graphs. Distribution charts show relative microfossil abundances plotted against depth. Data sheets show relative abundances converted to numerical abundances according to the scheme in table 2 and plotted against depth. Diversity graphs show total microfossil abundance and number of species (diversity). A narrative report for each well provides interpreted ages and environments of deposition. Also, for the five wells located in the Chukchi Sea, biostratigraphic correlation charts (plates 1-3) were created that tie those wells to selected onshore wells in northwestern NPRA.

Data from existing paper copy records of seismic shot hole samples collected

from 1975 to 1978 were also transcribed. Foraminiferal slides from seismic shot hole samples collected from 1947 to 1949 were newly analyzed and interpreted at the Eagle River Geologic Materials Center, Alaska.

The data and results of this study are organized in the following way. For each of

the 49 wells, a separate folder is provided, within which relevant files of distribution charts, data sheets, diversity graphs, and reports are located. All seismic shot hole information is provided in a single Excel file (table 3) with multiple worksheets. Table 2. Explanation of conversion of microfossil relative abundances to numerical mid-point values necessary for creating diversity plots. Foraminifera

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE NUMERICAL ABUNDANCE Symbol Descriptor Range Mid-Point* Mid-Point Formula

X Very Rare 1 1 (1 + 1)/2 R Rare 2 – 4 3 (2 + 4)/2 F Frequent 5 – 25 15 (5 + 25)/2 C Common 26 – 100 63 (26 + 100)/2 A Abundant 101 – 1000 550 (101 +1000)/2 P Prolific 1001 - 5000 3000 (1001 + 5000)/2

Palynology (spore, pollen, microplankton)

RELATIVE ABUNDANCE NUMERICAL ABUNDANCE Symbol Descriptor Range Mid-Point* Mid-Point Formula

X Very Rare 1 1 (1 + 1)/2 R Rare 2 – 5 3 (2 + 5)/2 F Frequent 6 – 15 10 (6 + 15)/2 C Common 16 – 30 23 (16 + 30)/2 A Abundant 31 – 500 265 (31 +500)/2 P Prolific 501 - 5000 2750 (501 + 5000)/2

* Values rounded down to nearest integer.

Distribution Charts

Typically for each well there is one palynology distribution chart (P) and one to as many as four foraminiferal distribution charts (F), depending on number of samples analyzed. All are in Adobe Acrobat® pdf-format and are identified in the well folder by the label “C-(well name).pdf”. These charts show microfossil occurrence and relative abundance by well depth in feet. The foraminiferal charts also include observed occurrences of radiolaria (RADS.), miscellaneous other microfossils, shell fragments, and distinctive rock, mineral, and hydrocarbon occurrences. Also included on the plots are interpreted age, stage, zone and environment of deposition and faunal statistics.

Data Sheets

Data sheets show numerical (mid-point) abundance converted from relative

abundance according to the scheme shown in table 2. Data sheets are in Microsoft Excel® format and are identified in the well folder by the label “S-(well name).xls”. All of the microfossil and other components recorded on the distribution charts are incorporated here. For selected wells, a brief description of the lithology observed in the processed foraminiferal sample is included.

Diversity Graphs

Using the numerical values reported in the data sheets, graphs were created

showing diversity (number of species) and total abundance of foraminifera, spore-pollen, and microplankton, respectively, for each well. These plots, labeled High Resolution Biostratigraphy Plots, Foraminifera/Palynomorphs, are identified in the well folder by the label “DV-(well name).pdf”.

Reports

For each well, a narrative report in is included. This report typically provides a

brief description of the number of samples analyzed, the processing and reporting procedures, and the results of the analysis. Results are presented in both abbreviated form—just depth and age—and more detailed form consisting of microfossil zone, a listing of distinctive microfossils, the interpreted environment of deposition, and a brief discussion. These reports are identified in the well folder by the label “R-(well name).pdf”. Seismic Shot Hole Samples

Analyzed NPRA seismic shot hole samples (total 3,134) are from the exploration program of 1946-1953 conducted by the U.S. Navy and from the program of 1974-1981, initially conducted by the U.S. Navy and later, by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Shot hole samples, typically collected at depths of about 100 ft but some from as deep as 290 ft, provide information on near-surface geologic units where exposures are poor to

nonexistent. The older set of shot hole samples (1,710) consists only of foraminiferal slides on file at the Alaska Geologic Materials Center in Eagle River, Alaska. Those slides were analyzed by Mickey in 2001 and 2002 at Eagle River. No comparable palynologic slides for those samples exist. The newer set of shot hole samples (1,424) includes both foraminiferal and palynologic analyses performed on contract to the U.S. Geological Survey during the exploration program of 1974-1981 (Gibson and Bowsher, 1981). Fossil checklists of these samples were reviewed and reinterpreted for this study. Shot hole details (seismic line and shot hole number, sample depth if available, and latitude-longitude location) and paleontologic interpretations are presented in table 52; seismic lines are located in figure 2. Location information has been lost for a number of the older U.S. Navy shot holes and has been left blank on table 3. Acknowledgements This compilation was facilitated by behind-the-scene data retrieval, plotting, drafting, and general organizational efforts of Megan Simpson, Zenon Valin, and Nick Zihlman of the U.S. Geological Survey, and Edward Padilla of Miropaleo Consultants. This report has benefited from the reviews of Mary McGann and Margaret Keller. References Cited Gibson, H.A., and Bowsher, A.L., 1981, Availability of foraminifera and palynomorph

reports from shot hole samples of National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 81-1340, 3 p.

Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., and Smith, A.G., eds., 2004, A geologic time scale 2004,

Cambridge University Press, 589 p.

Gryc, G., ed., 1988, Geology and exploration of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, 1974 to 1982, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1399, 940 p.

Magoon, L.B., Bird, K.J., Claypool, G.E., Weitzman, D.E., and Thompson, R.H., 1988,

Organic geochemistry, hydrocarbon occurrence, and stratigraphy of government-drilled wells, North Slope, Alaska, in Gryc, G., ed., Geology and exploration of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, 1974 to 1982, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1399, p. 483–487.

Witmer, R.J., Haga, H., and Mickey, M.B., 1981, Biostratigraphic report of thirty-three

wells drilled from 1975 to 1981 in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 81-1166, 50 p.

Witmer, R.J., Mickey, M.B., and Haga, H., 1981, Biostratigraphic correlations of selected

test wells of National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 81-1165, 89 p.