The Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit is hosted by the Cretaceous (Aptian/Albian) McMurray Formation and Wabiskaw Member of the Clearwater Formation. This study focuses on the Albian Sands Muskeg River Mine and Husky Sunrise Thermal Project. Bitumen migrated into these reservoirs prior to lithification, therefore hydrocarbon occurrence is directly related to the distribution of primary facies.

Core-based sedimentologic and ichnologic analysis, supported by wireline logs, delineates six stratigraphic successions comprised of fifteen facies. This synergistic approach provides the geological interpretation required for the challenging task of modeling this substantial and complex reservoir in order to improve exploration and exploitation strategies.

As a consequence, three previously poorly understood units are examined in detail, including the coal-bearing unit's stratigraphic significance in relation to 'lower' McMurray classification. In addition, oil sand karst reservoirs are identified as potentially economically viable in the future. The formation and economic significance of bank collapse breccia is also assessed.