North Slope

Project Details

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• Project ID:

  329

• Nickname/Abbreviation:

  North Slope

• Parent Project:

  Energy Resources Section projects

• Status:

  Active

• Description:

  Ongoing program conducting stratigraphic, structural, and petroleum related studies in northern Alaska

• Project Date(s):

  1985 - present

• Primary Contact:

  Wartes, Marwan A.

• DGGS section:

  Energy Resources

• Alternate Url:

  Find out more...

• Project Participants:

  Paul L. Decker, David L. LePain, M. A. Wartes, Julie A. Dumoulin, Robert J. Gillis, Kenneth P. Helmold, Trystan M. Herriott, Peter P. Flaig, Dolores A. van der Kolk, Mandy L. Willingham

• Active Related Sub-Projects:

  • • Gilead Creek mapping - (2009)
  • • Northern Foothills - (2000)
  • • Big Bend - (2019)
  • • Happy Valley - (2018)
  • • Rooftop Ridge/Racetrack Basin - (2020)
  • • North Slope 2022 - (2022)
  • • North Slope 2024 - (2024)
  • • North Slope 2023 - (2023)

• Completed/Inactive Related Sub-Projects:

  • • Umiat-Gubik - (2010)
  • • Sagavanirktok River area, Sagavanirktok A-3, A-4, B-3 and B-4 quadrangles - (2008)
  • • Galbraith Lake - (2007)
  • • Kavik - (2006)
  • • Siksikpuk River - (2005)
  • • Siksikpuk River gravity survey - (2005)
  • • Siksikpuk River region, Tiglukpuk Creek - (2004)
  • • Kanayut - (2003)
  • • Cobblestone - (2002)
  • • Philip Smith Mountains - (2001)
  • • Sagavanirktok B-1 Quadrangle - (1999)
  • • Tingmerkpuk - (1993)
  • • ENSAP (Eastern North Slope Appraisal Project) - (1985)

• Stations/Samples:

  View list

Publications

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PIR 2024-3

LePain, D.L., and Kirkham, R.A., 2024, Measured stratigraphic section, upper Nanushuk Formation (Cenomanian), Ninuluk Bluff, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2024-3, 28 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/31150

RI 2021-4

LePain, D.L., and Helmold, K.P., eds., 2021, Sedimentology and reservoir quality of the Nanushuk Formation (Albian-Cenomanian) in cores from the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska and adjoining state lands to the south: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2021-4, 78 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30726

RI 2021-4A

LePain, D.L., and Helmold, K.P., 2021, Core descriptions, sedimentology and reservoir potential of the Nanushuk Formation (Albian-Cenomanian), eastern National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, in LePain, D.L., and Helmold, K.P., eds., Sedimentology and reservoir quality of the Nanushuk Formation (Albian-Cenomanian) in cores from the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska and adjoining state lands to the south: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2021-4A, 46 p., 6 sheets. https://doi.org/10.14509/30727

RI 2021-4B

Helmold, K.P., and LePain, D.L., 2021, Sedimentary petrology, reservoir quality, and provenance of Albian–Cenomanian Nanushuk Formation sandstone, NPRA test wells, Umiat 18, and measured outcrop sections, central North Slope, Alaska, in LePain, D.L., and Helmold, K.P., eds., Sedimentology and reservoir quality of the Nanushuk Formation (Albian-Cenomanian) in cores from the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska and adjoining state lands to the south: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2021-4B, 31 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30728

PIR 2021-6

LePain, D.L., Harun, N.T., and Kirkham, R.A., 2021, Measured stratigraphic section, lower Nanushuk Formation (Albian), Arc Mountain anticline, Nanushuk River, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2021-6, 15 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/30762

RDF 2021-13

Helmold, K.P., LePain, D.L., and Harun, N.T., 2021, Qualitative assessment of composition and reservoir quality of Albian-Cenomanian Nanushuk Formation sandstones, measured outcrop sections, central North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Raw Data File 2021-13, 8 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30746

PIR 2021-5

LePain, D.L., Kirkham, R.A., and Montayne, Simone, 2021, Measured stratigraphic section, Nanushuk Formation (Albian-Cenomanian), Nanushuk River (Rooftop Ridge), Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2021-5, 8 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/30744

MP 167

Gregersen, Laura, and Brown, Garrett, 2021, Map and database of exploration drilling targets categorized by play type, North Slope and offshore Arctic Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 167, 15 p., 4 sheets, scale 1:725,000. https://doi.org/10.14509/30579

PIR 2021-3

LePain, D.L., Wartes, M.A., Kirkham, R.A., and Mongrain, J.R., 2021, Measured stratigraphic section in the upper Schrader Bluff Formation (Late Campanian-Maastrichtian?), Ivishak River, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2021-3, 11 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/30693

PIR 2020-4

Harun, N.T., and Wartes, M.A., 2020, Preliminary characterization of two coals from the upper Prince Creek Formation, Sagwon Bluffs, North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2020-4, 13 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30556

PIR 2020-3

LePain, D.L., and Helmold, K.P., 2020, Facies architecture of a slope incision, Canning Formation, Ivishak River, Alaska: Implications for sediment bypass and deepwater reservoir potential: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2020-3, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/30553

RDF 2020-1

Willingham, A.L., and Herriott, T.M., 2020, Photogrammetry-derived digital surface model and orthoimagery of Slope Mountain, North Slope, Alaska, June 2018: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Raw Data File 2020-1, 9 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30419

MP 166

LePain, D.L., Decker, P.L., and Helmold, K.P., 2018, Brookian core workshop: Depositional setting, potential reservoir facies, and reservoir quality in the Nanushuk Formation (Albian-Cenomanian), North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 166, 58 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30137

RI 2016-3-1

Decker, P.L., and LePain, D.L., 2016, Subsurface relationships of Albian-Cenomanian shallow marine to nonmarine topsets of the Nanushuk Formation, northwestern NPRA, northern Alaska, in LePain, D.L., Stratigraphic and reservoir quality studies of continuous core from the Wainwright #1 coalbed methane test well, Wainwright, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2016-3-1, p. 1-3, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/29655

RI 2016-3-2

LePain, D.L., and Decker, P.L., 2016, Lithofacies analysis of the Wainwright #1 continuous core, western Arctic Slope, Alaska: Transition from lower to upper delta plain environments in the Albian-Cenomanian Nanushuk Formation, in LePain, D.L., Stratigraphic and reservoir quality studies of continuous core from the Wainwright #1 coalbed methane test well, Wainwright, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2016-3-2, p. 5-35, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/29656

RI 2016-3-3

Helmold, K.P., 2016, Sedimentary petrology and reservoir quality of Albian-Cenomanian Nanushuk Formation sandstones, USGS Wainwright #1 test well, western North Slope, Alaska, in LePain, D.L., Stratigraphic and reservoir quality studies of continuous core from the Wainwright #1 coalbed methane test well, Wainwright, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2016-3-3, p. 37-57. https://doi.org/10.14509/29657

RDF 2016-2

Newberry, R.J., Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., Gillis, R.J., and Wypych, Alicja, 2016, Major-oxide and trace-element geochemistry of mafic rocks in the Carboniferous Lisburne Group, Ivishak River area, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Raw Data File 2016-2, 2 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29563

PIR 2015-4

Flaig, P.P., and van der Kolk, D.A., 2015, Depositional environments of the Prince Creek Formation along the east side of the Toolik River, Sagavanirktok Quadrangle, North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-4, 17 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/29407

PIR 2015-1

van der Kolk, D.A., Whalen, M.T., and Wartes, M.A., 2015, Source-rock potential of the Lower Cretaceous Pebble shale unit, northeastern Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-1, 37 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29401

PIR 2015-2

Dumoulin, J.A., and Whalen, M.T., 2015, Reconnaissance investigation of the Lisburne Group in the Cobblestone Creek area, Chandler Lake Quadrangle, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2015-2, 18 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29403

RI 2009-1 v. 2

LePain, D.L., McCarthy, P.J., and Kirkham, R.A., 2009, Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the middle Albian-Cenomanian Nanushuk Formation in outcrop, central North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2009-1 v. 2, 76 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/19761

RI 2007-1

Kelly, L.N., Whalen, M.T., McRoberts, C.A., Hopkin, E., and Tomsich, C.S., 2007, Sequence stratigraphy and geochemistry of the upper Lower through Upper Triassic of northern Alaska: Implications for paleoredox history, source rock accumulation, and paleoceanography: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 2007-1, 50 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/15773

PIR 2007-2

Decker, P.L., 2007, Brookian sequence stratigraphic correlations, Umiat Field to Milne Point Field, west-central North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2007-2, 19 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/15758

MP 136 v. 1.0.2

Hudson, T.L., Nelson, P.H., Bird, K.J., and Huckabay, A., 2006, Exploration history (1964-2000) of the Colville High, North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 136 v. 1.0.2, 32 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/14597

PIR 2005-3

White, J.G., 2005, Preliminary investigation of the Lisburne Group, upper Nanushuk River region, central Brooks Range, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2005-3, 23 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/7164

PIR 2005-2

Finzel, E.S., and McCarthy, P.J., 2005, Architectural analysis of fluvial conglomerate in the Nanushuk Formation, Brooks Range Foothills, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2005-2, 18 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/7021

PIR 2004-5

Reifenstuhl, R.R., and Loveland, Andrea, 2004, Reservoir characterization study: porosity and permeability of 148 Tertiary to Mississippian age outcrop samples, east-central Brooks Range Foothills and North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2004-5, 21 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/3312

PIR 2004-2

Elder, W.P., and Loveland, Andrea, 2004, 2003 Megafossil report from the Chandler Lake Quadrangle, North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Preliminary Interpretive Report 2004-2, 5 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/3235

PR 120F

Reifenstuhl, R.R., and Reifenstuhl, A.E., 2003, Preliminary petrographic study of 11 Mississippian to Tertiary age sandstones, Sagavanirktok Quadrangle, Brooks Range foothills and North Slope, Alaska, in Clautice, K.H., and Davis, P.K., eds., Short Notes on Alaska Geology 2003: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Professional Report 120F, p. 71-81. https://doi.org/10.14509/2913

NL 2002-3

DGGS Staff, and Reifenstuhl, R.R., 2002, Alaska GeoSurvey News - Reservoir characterization studies in Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Newsletter 2002-3, 7 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/14591

MP 39

Pinney, D.S., and Combellick, R.A., 2000, Geologic hazards in and near proposed State of Alaska oil and gas sale, North Slope Foothills: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 39, 7 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2663

PR 119C

Hanks, C.L., Parker, M., and Jemison, E.B., 2000, Borehole breakouts and implications for regional in situ stress patterns of the northeastern North Slope, Alaska, in Pinney, D.S., and Davis, P.K., eds., Short Notes on Alaska Geology 1999: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Professional Report 119C, p. 33-43. https://doi.org/10.14509/2685

NL 1999-2

DGGS Staff, LePain, D.L., and Mull, C.G., 1999, Alaska GeoSurvey News - Upcoming strategic studies and mapping in the Brooks Range Foothills of the central North Slope: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Newsletter 1999-2, 6 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/14581

RI 99-8

Haga, Hideyo, and Mickey, M.B., 1999, Reworked palynomorph trends in Late-Jurassic to Neocomian strata of the Colville Delta Region, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigation 99-8, 14 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/2598

PR 104

Dillon, J.T., Reifenstuhl, R.R., and Harris, G.W., 1996, Geologic map of the Chandalar C-5 Quadrangle, southeastern Brooks Range, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Professional Report 104, 2 sheets, scale 1:63,360. https://doi.org/10.14509/2285

Posters and Presentations

Helmold, K.P., 2020

Helmold, K.P., 2020, Reservoir quality of Brookian sandstones, North Slope, Alaska (presentation): DGGS/DOG videoconference, Anchorage, Alaska, June 25, 2020: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 26 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/30529

Wartes, M.A. and others, 2014

Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Gillis, R.J., Herriott, T.M., and LePain, D.L., 2014, Predicting deep-water reservoirs in the Brookian Sequence: Underexplored plays on the North Slope, Alaska (presentation): Alaska Geological Society Technical Conference, Anchorage, Alaska, May 15, 2014: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 46 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29545

Wartes, M.A. and others, 2011

Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Houseknecht, D.W., Gillis, R.J., and LePain, D.L., 2011, Foreland basin response to Paleocene rejuvenation in the Brooks Range, northern Alaska (presentation): AAPG 3P Arctic, The Polar Petroleum Potential Conference & Exhibition, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, August 30 - September 2, 2011: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 37 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29547

Herriott, T.M. and others, 2011

Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., Newberry, R.J., Wallace, W.K., and Gillis, R.J., 2011, Geology, geochemistry, and regional implications of mafic igneous rocks in the Carboniferous Lisburne Group, Ivishak River area, northeastern Brooks Range, Alaska (poster): The Sixth International Conference on Arctic Margins, 31 May-2 June 2011, Fairbanks, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/29562

Herriott, T.M. and others, 2011

Herriott, T.M., Wartes, M.A., Decker, P.L., Wallace, W.K., Gillis, R.J., Reifenstuhl, R.R., and Speeter, G.G., 2011, Structural and stratigraphic implications of detailed geologic mapping of Ellesmerian and Brookian units in the Echooka and Ivishak rivers region, east-central North Slope, Alaska (poster): AAPG Pacific Section Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, May 10, 2011: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/22802

Decker, P.L., 2010

Decker, P.L., 2010, Brookian sequence stratigraphic framework of the northern Colville foreland basin, central North Slope, Alaska (poster and presentation): DNR Spring Technical Review Meeting, Anchorage, April 21-22, 2010: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 30 p., 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.14509/21861

Helmold, K.P., 2010

Helmold, K.P., 2010, Petrology of North Slope outcrop samples: progress report (presentation): DNR Spring Technical Review Meeting, Anchorage, April 21-22, 2010: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 21 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29522

Decker, P.L. and others, 2009

Decker, P.L., LePain, D.L., Wartes, M.A., Gillis, R.J., Mongrain, J.R., Kirkham, R.A., and Shellenbaum, D.P., 2009, Sedimentology, stratigraphy, and subsurface expression of upper Cretaceous strata in the Sagavanirktok River area, east-central North Slope, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 3 sheets. https://doi.org/10.14509/30156

Decker, P.L. and others, 2008

Decker, P.L., LePain, D.L., and Wartes, M.A., 2008, Surface - subsurface relationships, 2007-08 projects, Sagavanirktok River area, east-central North Slope (presentation): DNR Spring Technical Review Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, March 26-27, 2008: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 35 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/21822

Decker, P.L. and Wartes, M.A., 2008

Decker, P.L., and Wartes, M.A., 2008, Overview of recent North Slope energy studies, part 1, north-central foothills, Sagavanirktok River area (presentation): DNR Spring Technical Review Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, March 26-27, 2008: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 39 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/21824

Decker, P.L. and others, 2008

Decker, P.L., Wartes, M.A., Wallace, W.K., Houseknecht, D.W., Schenk, C.J., Gillis, R.J., and Mongrain, J.R., 2008, Structural and stratigraphic investigations, Gilead Sandstone and associated units, Albian - Turonian strata, Ivishak River - Gilead Creek area, progress during 2007 (presentation): DNR Spring Technical Review Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, March 26-27, 2008: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 30 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/21825

Wartes, M.A. and Decker, P.L., 2008

Wartes, M.A., and Decker, P.L., 2008, North Slope program overview (presentation): DNR Spring Technical Review Meeting, Anchorage, March 26-27, 2008: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 19 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/21828

Wartes, M.A., 2008

Wartes, M.A., 2008, Overview of recent North Slope energy studies, part 2: south-central foothills, southern Colville basin (presentation): DNR Spring Technical Review Meeting, Anchorage, March 26-27, 2008: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 32 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/21830

Helmold, K.P. and others, 2006

Helmold, K.P., Campaign, W.J., Morris, W.R., Hastings, D.S., and Moothart, S.R., 2006, Reservoir quality and petrophysical model of the Tarn deep-water slope-apron system, North Slope, Alaska (presentation): AAPG Pacific Section Meeting, Anchorage, Alaska, May 8, 2006: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, 31 p. https://doi.org/10.14509/29671

Annual Reports

AR 2014-A

DGGS Staff, 2015, Energy Resources FY15 project descriptions, in DGGS Staff, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2014: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2014-A, p. 32-38. https://doi.org/10.14509/29180

AR 2013-A

DGGS Staff, 2014, Energy Resources FY14 project descriptions, in DGGS Staff, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2013: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2013-A, p. 34-40. https://doi.org/10.14509/27001

AR 2012-A

DGGS Staff, 2013, Energy Resources FY13 project descriptions, in DGGS Staff, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2012: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2012-A, p. 28-33. https://doi.org/10.14509/24785

AR 2011-A

LePain, D.L., Wartes, M.A., Gillis, R.J., Herriott, T.M., and Clough, J.G., 2012, Energy Resources FY12 project descriptions, in DGGS Staff, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2011: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2011-A, p. 30-36. https://doi.org/10.14509/23303

AR 2010-A

LePain, D.L., Clough, J.G., Gillis, R.J., Herriott, T.M., and Wartes, M.A., 2011, Energy Resources FY11 project descriptions, in DGGS Staff, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2010: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Annual Report 2010-A, p. 34-41. https://doi.org/10.14509/22181