Volatiles analysis of drill cuttings to evaluate the helium prospectivity of southwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 62F2, K3).

The helium prospectivity of southwestern Manitoba was evaluated using the Rock Volatiles Stratigraphy (RVS) system. Drill cuttings from three legacy oil wells (L.S. 9, Sec. 6, Twp. 2, Rge. 26, W 1st Mer. [abbreviated 9-6-2-26W1], 13-24-12-27W1 and 16-29-12-29W1) were analyzed for a wide range of volatile compounds, including C1-C10 hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, water and helium. The deepest portions of each well were sampled, from the Precambrian basement to the Dawson Bay Formation, at intervals defined by the drill cuttings recovered. All three wells show signs of helium accumulation with economic potential. Of particular note is the well at 9-6-2-26W1, it had the highest helium values ever measured by the RVS system to date in any legacy sample for which self-sourcing of the helium--formed by radioactive decay of in situ uranium- and thorium-bearing basement rocks or shale--was not possible. These values are higher than those measured in samples from Saskatchewan's producing helium plays. These high values indicate an active prolific helium system in southwestern Manitoba. Additionally, analysis of the RVS data indicates bypassed deep hydrocarbon system opportunities in Manitoba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]