Origin, Mode of Emplacement, and Trace Element Geochemistry of Albertite at the Type Locality, Albert Mines, Southeastern New Brunswick, Canada

Fracturing of oil shale was coeval with albertite vein formation at Albert Mines early in the (Oogenetic history of the Lower Carboniferous Tournasian) Albert Formation. Albertite of this type locality is a pre-oil bitumenn produced as a result of overpres-suring due to a high rate of hydrocarbon generation and, as such, is largely preserved in an immature source rock. Dolomite precipitated in albertite during emplacement of the latter, and was sourced from an accompanying C02-rich fluid phase. Trace element contents of albertite are within the range of selected other major bitumen occurrences and, except for nickel, are lower than those of the host rock. Ratios of Ni/V are elevated in comparison with the host oil shale and with other bitumen occurrences. Carbon isotope values for albertite range from 27.92 to 30.80% o, S l3C, within the range of most conventional crudes.