Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria
Abstract Although several works have proved the existence of oil and gas in the Campanian to Maastrichtian strata of the Anambra Basin, it is still considered a frontier basin due to the challenges associated with interpretation of stratigraphy and structure arising from non-availability of subsurfa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2018-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13202-018-0589-2 |
| _version_ | 1818018250688036864 |
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| author | Chidozie Izuchukwu Princeton Dim Ayonma Wilfred Mode Ikenna Christopher Okwara |
| author_facet | Chidozie Izuchukwu Princeton Dim Ayonma Wilfred Mode Ikenna Christopher Okwara |
| author_sort | Chidozie Izuchukwu Princeton Dim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Although several works have proved the existence of oil and gas in the Campanian to Maastrichtian strata of the Anambra Basin, it is still considered a frontier basin due to the challenges associated with interpretation of stratigraphy and structure arising from non-availability of subsurface data. This has led to poor understanding of the petroleum system and hindered exploration activity within the basin. This research paper aims to discuss the signatures of essential petroleum system elements, based on the study of high-quality outcrop examples. Detailed field studies reveal the presence of source, reservoir and seal rocks, and traps exposed within the four lithostratigraphic units outcropping in the basin, across the southeastern part of Nigeria. The shales of Enugu Formation, offer good source rocks. The shales, coals, coaly shales and sandstones with repeated occurrence of shale–silt–sand heteroliths of the Mamu Formation provide possible source and reservoir rocks. Thick extensive sandstones with clay laminae of the Ajali Formation offer potential reservoir that are partly compartmentalized. The shales with interstratified sandstone of the Nsukka Formation provide potential cap and overburden rocks. The presence of anastomosing fracture bands, extensional joints and faults, small-scale growth faults, and rollover anticlinal structures are good evidence of structural and stratigraphic configuration that could allow for possible migration, accumulation and entrapment of hydrocarbon. These recognized signatures of the key elements of a petroleum system and oil seeps encountered in the basin are an indication of the presence of an active petroleum system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T07:36:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2fd1e908625946018355217146e9e028 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2190-0558 2190-0566 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T07:36:32Z |
| publishDate | 2018-12-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2fd1e908625946018355217146e9e0282022-12-22T02:05:39ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology2190-05582190-05662018-12-01931615163110.1007/s13202-018-0589-2Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern NigeriaChidozie Izuchukwu Princeton Dim0Ayonma Wilfred Mode1Ikenna Christopher Okwara2Department of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of NigeriaDepartment of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of NigeriaDepartment of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of NigeriaAbstract Although several works have proved the existence of oil and gas in the Campanian to Maastrichtian strata of the Anambra Basin, it is still considered a frontier basin due to the challenges associated with interpretation of stratigraphy and structure arising from non-availability of subsurface data. This has led to poor understanding of the petroleum system and hindered exploration activity within the basin. This research paper aims to discuss the signatures of essential petroleum system elements, based on the study of high-quality outcrop examples. Detailed field studies reveal the presence of source, reservoir and seal rocks, and traps exposed within the four lithostratigraphic units outcropping in the basin, across the southeastern part of Nigeria. The shales of Enugu Formation, offer good source rocks. The shales, coals, coaly shales and sandstones with repeated occurrence of shale–silt–sand heteroliths of the Mamu Formation provide possible source and reservoir rocks. Thick extensive sandstones with clay laminae of the Ajali Formation offer potential reservoir that are partly compartmentalized. The shales with interstratified sandstone of the Nsukka Formation provide potential cap and overburden rocks. The presence of anastomosing fracture bands, extensional joints and faults, small-scale growth faults, and rollover anticlinal structures are good evidence of structural and stratigraphic configuration that could allow for possible migration, accumulation and entrapment of hydrocarbon. These recognized signatures of the key elements of a petroleum system and oil seeps encountered in the basin are an indication of the presence of an active petroleum system.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13202-018-0589-2Anambra BasinOutcropReservoir rockSource and seal rocksStructural trap |
| spellingShingle | Chidozie Izuchukwu Princeton Dim Ayonma Wilfred Mode Ikenna Christopher Okwara Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology Anambra Basin Outcrop Reservoir rock Source and seal rocks Structural trap |
| title | Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_full | Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_short | Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria |
| title_sort | signatures of key petroleum system elements outcrop examples from the anambra basin southeastern nigeria |
| topic | Anambra Basin Outcrop Reservoir rock Source and seal rocks Structural trap |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13202-018-0589-2 |
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