Studies of two wells within the coastal swamp onshore Niger Delta were carried out in order to determine the chronology, biozonation, and establishment of sequence stratigraphic framework for the representative wells. A total of twenty-eight (28) cutting samples were recovered and analysed from Abigboro-1 and Olure-1 exploratory wells for their foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils and palynomorphs’ compositions. The results indicated the presence of diverse species within the wells, which include Lenticulina grandis, Florilus ex. gr. costiferum, Hanzawaia concentrica, Hopkinsina bononiensis, Marginulina costata and pseudonodosaria sp. , Bolivina mandoroveensis, Eponides eshira, Lenticulina grandis, Lenticulina grandis, Cibicorbis inflata, Heterolepa floridana, Florilus ex. gr scaphum, Poroeponides lateralis, Uvigerina sparsicostata, Uvigerina subperegrina, Bolivina ex. gr. scalptrata, Valvulineria sp. and Epistominella pacifica. An inner neritic (1694 m - 2161 m), coastal deltaic (1557 m - 1640 m) and shallow inner neritic (1347 m - 1554 m) palaeoenvironment was suggested for Olure-1 well while a broad grouping of the intervals as inner to middle neritic was suggested for Abigboro-1 well. The ratio of species abundance/diversity and integration of log suite data predicted two Maximum Flooding Surfaces (MFS) and one Sequence Boundary (SB) for Olure-1 well. The MFS were encountered at depths 2728 m (MFS 1) and 1797 m (MFS 2), while the SB was predicted at depth 2602 m (SB1). Diverse systems’ tracts were identified and delineated from wireline logs of Olure-1 well and the implication for petroleum exploration was discussed. Late Oligocene - early Miocene age has been assigned for the wells based on the recovered diagnostic species.
The Niger Delta is situated in the Gulf of Guinea and extends throughout the Niger Delta province [
surfaces and systems tracts within sequence(s) and comparison of results is made across diverse data sets for accuracy and precision.
The Niger Delta oil province of Nigeria is located on the southernmost end of Nigeria on the West African Continental margin. The study area is located onshore within OML 46. The basin lies between longitude 3˚E and 9˚E and latitude 4˚E and 5˚2'N (
The geology of Niger Delta in terms of age determination, depositional environment and biostratigraphic zonation has been discussed by many authors amongst which are Clement et al. [
Data used in this study include log suites data and cuttings from two exploratory wells (Olure-1 and Abigboro-1) in Niger Delta. Systematic logging and detailed analysis and interpretation of the well logs, preparation and analyses for the fauna and flora contents were carried out. These were integrated to generate a sequence stratigraphic framework for the selected wells. The biostratigraphic analysis was carried out while the other analyses were achieved using Petrel and STRATABUG softwares.
Biostratigraphy PreparationsThese cuttings were prepared for calcareous nannofosils, sporomorphs and foraminifera contents using standard preparatory techniques;
The calcareous nannofossil analysis involves the standard simple smear preparation technique of Perch-Nielsen [
For the foraminiferal preparation, about 25 g of the sample were soaked in NaOH solution for 24 hours to ensure proper disaggregation of the samples and the liberation of any foraminifera or micro-fauna accessories within the cuttings. The samples were then washed using a 63 micron sieve under a jet running water. The samples were then dried in an oven at 80˚C.
The palynomorph analysis entails the addition of Hydrofluoric acid (HF) and was then treated with 10% hydrochloric acid in a fume cupboard to remove carbonates. 10% HCl solution was then added and heated for 25 to 30 minutes. The samples were decanted thrice at an interval of 1 hour each through the Branson Sonifer, with the aid of 5 micron sieve to filter away the inorganic matter. The retrieved organic matter was stained with Safranin solution for easy identification of the dinocyst that are almost totally transparent. The Loctite impruv is used for permanent mounting of the slides. The slides were studied under a binocular light microscope and the identification was done via reference slides of Chevron and Shell albums.
The results showed that the biostratigraphy of Olure-1 and Abigboro-1 wells have fairly good microfossil recovery except for Abigboro-1 well which is barren in foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils (Figures 2-10 and Tables 1-5).
Depth (m) | Spores | Pollen | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Abundance | Diversity | Abundance | Diversity | |
1664 | 20 | 3 | 35 | 3 |
1756 | 16 | 6 | 20 | 3 |
1975 | 30 | 4 | 48 | 9 |
2304 | 38 | 5 | 51 | 12 |
2487 | 45 | 4 | 51 | 10 |
2633 | 14 | 5 | 22 | 8 |
2652 | 18 | 5 | 28 | 8 |
2761 | 11 | 2 | 19 | 10 |
2981 | 30 | 5 | 24 | 6 |
3182 | 37 | 5 | 37 | 10 |
Depth (m) | Planktonic foraminifera | Calcareous foraminifera | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Abundance | Diversity | Abundance | Diversity | |
1664 | - | - | - | - |
1756 | - | - | 1 | 1 |
1975 | - | - | 29 | 7 |
2304 | - | - | 52 | 10 |
2487 | - | - | 47 | 9 |
2633 | 2 | 2 | 42 | 8 |
2652 | 1 | 1 | 174 | 12 |
2761 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
2981 | - | - | 1 | 1 |
3182 | - | - | 3 | 2 |
Depth (m) | Abundance | Diversity |
---|---|---|
1664 | - | - |
1756 | - | - |
1975 | 8 | 6 |
2304 | 1 | 1 |
2487 | - | |
2633 | 1 | 1 |
2652 | 4 | 2 |
2761 | - | - |
2981 | - | - |
3182 | - | - |
Depth (m) | Abundance of spores | Abundance of pollen | Total | Abundance of planktonic foraminifera | Abundance of calcareous foraminifera | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1664 | 20 | 35 | 55 | - | - | 0 |
1756 | 16 | 20 | 36 | - | 1 | 1 |
1975 | 30 | 48 | 78 | - | 29 | 29 |
2304 | 38 | 51 | 89 | - | 52 | 52 |
2487 | 45 | 51 | 96 | - | 47 | 47 |
2633 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 2 | 42 | 44 |
2652 | 18 | 28 | 46 | 1 | 174 | 175 |
2761 | 11 | 19 | 30 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
2981 | 30 | 24 | 54 | - | 1 | 1 |
3182 | 37 | 37 | 74 | - | 3 | 3 |
Depth (m) | Diversity of spores | Diversity of pollen | Total | Diversity of planktonic foraminifera | Diversity of calcareous foraminifera | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1664 | 3 | 3 | 6 | - | - | 0 |
1756 | 6 | 3 | 9 | - | 1 | 1 |
1975 | 4 | 9 | 13 | - | 7 | 7 |
2304 | 5 | 12 | 17 | - | 10 | 10 |
2487 | 4 | 10 | 14 | - | 9 | 9 |
2633 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
2652 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 12 | 13 |
2761 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
2981 | 5 | 6 | 11 | - | 1 | 1 |
3182 | 5 | 10 | 15 | - | 2 | 2 |
Depth (m) | Spores | Pollen | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Abundance | Diversity | Abundance | Diversity | |
1356 | 29 | 5 | 22 | 7 |
1676 | 261 | 8 | 242 | 16 |
1713 | 283 | 7 | 271 | 14 |
1722 | 275 | 5 | 33 | 17 |
1731 | 244 | 6 | 19 | 15 |
1750 | 269 | 6 | 19 | 14 |
1788 | 371 | 6 | 183 | 16 |
1850 | 152 | 4 | 79 | 5 |
1923 | 119 | 3 | 118 | 9 |
1942 | 289 | 4 | 113 | 15 |
1960 | 22 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
1996 | 25 | 4 | 34 | 7 |
2033 | 22 | 3 | 10 | 6 |
2070 | 17 | 4 | 28 | 5 |
2115 | 298 | 3 | 132 | 14 |
2134 | 296 | 6 | 261 | 14 |
2143 | 268 | 5 | 98 | 9 |
2161 | 89 | 3 | 77 | 10 |
Base on the available well log (gamma ray) and cutting samples, the Olure-1 and Abigboro-1 wells penetrated a total depth of 3182 m (10,440 ft) and 2161 m (7090 ft) depth respectively. The lithology constitutes a mixture of sand and shale units, with the shale occurring in significant amounts in an environment that is wholly marine and in variable proportion for a paralic depositional set-
ting. This was simulated by the gamma ray log signature. A coarsening upward or fining upward unit within a forestepping or backstepping successions of the log pattern defines stacking patterns of genetic units. This aided the prediction of the positioning of maximum flooding surfaces, and the identification of the systems tracts when integrated with biostratigraphic data (
Foraminifera study of the wells
The biostratigraphic studies of the wells involved a total of eighteen (18) representative samples from 1347 m - 2161 m intervals (Abigboro-1 well) and ten (10) representative samples from 1920 m - 3182 m intervals (Olure-1 well) which
were prepared and analysed for their microfossils. The foraminiferal recoveries in Abigboro-1 well within the studied sections are poor and the absence of planktic species precludes a refined zonal delineation for the analysed interval using the Blow planktic scheme [
The zonation of these study wells are based on the comparison of the recovered assemblages with that of the SPDC Niger Delta Faunal Zone;
Abigboro-1 Well
Interval: 2161 m - 1347 m
Zone: (N3 - N4)-Bolli and Saunders (1985)
Age: Late Oligocene to early Miocene
Correlation: F7800 - F9300 (SPDC Faunal Zone)
Top: Placed at the first sample analysed at 1347 m
Base: Placed at the base of the analysed section at 2161 m
Description:
These intervals are characterized by rare and sporadic occurrences of foraminifera within 2060 m - 2069 m depths. The presence of Lenticulina grandis, Hopkinsina bononiensis and Bolivina mandoroveensis defined the assigned zones and ages. Other foraminifera found within the interval include Florilus ex. gr costiferum, Hanzawaia concetrica, Pseudonodosaria sp., Rotalia sp. and Marginulina costata.
Olure-1 Well
Interval: 1920 m - 2651 m
Zone: (N4)?Bolli and Saunders [
Age: Early Miocene
Correlation: F9300 (SPDC Faunal Zone)
Top: Placed at the first sample analysed at 1347 m
Base: Placed at the base of Globigerinoides primordius at 2651 m.
Description:
This interval is characterized by rare and sporadic occurrences of foraminifera except at 2651 m depth. This lower interval was delineated based on the Last Downhole Occurrence of Globigerinoides primordius at 2651 m depth and it is taken as the zonal boundary marker between N4 and N3 Zones and conse- quently the late Oligocene/early Miocene boundary. The benthic assemblages present within the interval include Bolivina mandoroveensis, Eponides eshira, Hopkinsina bononiensis and Lenticulina grandis. Other foraminifera found within the interval include Bolivina ex. gr. scalptrata, Buliminella sp., Cibicorbis inflata, Heterolepa floridana, Florilus ex. gr scaphum, Poroeponides lateralis, Uvigerina peregrina, Uvigerina sparsicostata, Uvigerina subperegrina, Valvulineria sp. and Epistominella pacifica.
Interval: 2633 m - 3182 m
Zone: (N3)―Bolli and Saunders [
Age: Late Oligocene
Correlation: F7800 (SPDC Faunal Zone)
Top: Placed at the Last Downhole Occurrence of Globigerinoides primordius at 2633 m.
Base: Placed at the last analysed sample at 3182 m.
Description:
This interval is characterized by fairly abundant and diverse foraminifera. The interval was delineated based on the presence of the Last Downhole Occurrence (LDO) of Globigerinoides primordius at depth 2651 m. The taxon’s LDO has been consistently used to indicate the boundary between the N4 and N3 Zones and consequently the late Oligocene/early Miocene boundary. The benthic assemblages present within the interval include Bolivina mandoroveensis, Eponides eshira, Lenticulina grandis and Lenticulina grandis. Other foraminifera found within the interval include Bolivina ex. gr. scalptrata, Cibicorbis inflata, Heterolepa floridana, Florilus ex. gr scaphum, Poroeponides lateralis, Uvigerina sparsicostata, Uvigerina subperegrina, Valvulineria sp. and Epistominella pacifica.
Palynological study of the wells
A detailed palynological study was carried out on systematically selected eighteen (18) cutting samples from Abigboro-1 well at different intervals. The analysed intervals contain well preserved and abundant pollen, spores, fungal spores and dinoflagellate cysts. The recovered palynomorphs include abundant land derived forms such as Retibrevitricolporites protrudens, Retitricolporites irregularies, racemonocolpites hians, Arecipites exilimuratus, Psilatricolporites crassus, Praedapollis flexibilis, Gemmamonoporites sp., Laerigatosporites sp, Verrucatosporites usmansis, Verrucatosporites sp., Pteris sp., and Acrostictrum aureum. Moderate numbers of dinoflagellate cysts particularly Lingulodinium machaerophorum, Spiniferites sp., Homotryblium sp., Homotryblium pallidum, Polysphaeridium zoharyi, Leposphaeridia and Hystricholcolpona sp. which are indicative of a marine depositional environment were also recovered (
This well falls within the broad Pan Tropical Magnastriatites howardi Zone of Germeraad et al. [
Zone P500
Subzone P560
Interval: 1347 m - 1749 m
Age: Middle Oligocene
Description
The top of this subzone is placed at 1347 m and the base is defined by the increased occurrence of Retibrevitricolporites protrudens at 1749 m. This subzone corroborated with the abundant records of R. protrudens, Verrucatosporites usmensis, Praedapollis flexibilis, and Pteris sp.
Subzone P540
Interval: 1749 m - 2161 m
Age: Middle Oligocene
Description
The top of this subzone is placed at 1749 m and it is defined by the increased occurrence of Retibrevitricolporites protrudens. The base is placed at the depth of 2161 m. This subzone is further characterized by the presence of Cicatricosisporites dorogensis, Gemmatriporites sp., Striamonocolpites rectostriatus, Arecipites exilimuratus and Grimsdalea poligonalis.
Calcareous nannofossil study of the wells
This entails a total of ten (10) cuttings from interval 1920 m - 3182 m (Olure-1 well) and total of eighteen (18) cuttings selected from interval 1347 m - 2161 m (Abigboro-1 well) were prepared and analysed for nannofossils at various intervals. The study revealed rare to few and scattered occurrences of nanno-fossils in Olure-1 well while intervals have been found to be barren of nannofossil occurrences in Abigboro-1 well. The occurrence of few index markers within the analysed section of Olure-1 well facilitated the subdivision of the well sections into zones based on the zonation scheme of Martini [
The zonation scheme of Martini [
Interval: 1920 m - 2633 m
Zone: NN4 - NN2
Top: Placed at the first sample analysed at 1920 m
Base: Top Helicosphaera truempyi
Age: Early Miocene
Description:
This interval is characterized by rare to sparse occurrence of nannofossils. This interval has been delineated based on the presence of characteristic early Miocene (NN4 - NN2) taxa including Discoaster deflandrei, Coccolithus miopelagicus and Helicosphaera ampliaperta.
Interval: 2651 m - 3182 m
Zone: NN1 - NP24
Top: Top Helicosphaera truempyi
Base: Tentatively placed at the last analysed sample at 3182 m
Age: Early Miocene to late Oligocene
Description:
This interval is characterized by very rare and sporadic occurrences of nannofossils. The occurrence of Helicosphaera truempyi at 2633 m depth is an indication that the well is not younger than the early Miocene NN1 Zone, while the other intervals stands for the total range (NN1 - NP24) of Helicosphaera truempyi Zonal marker.
This was based on the gamma ray and resistivity log signatures of the well. The key surfaces and systems tract were identified (
Sequence Boundary (SB) and Maximum Flooding Surface (MFS)
Three Maximum Flooding Surface (MFS) and Sequence Boundaries (SB) were identified respectively. These points corresponds to depths of 2728 m (MFS 1), 1797 (MFS 2), and 971 (MFS 3) for the Maximum Flooding Surfaces and 2602 m (SB 1), 1661 (SB 2), and 825 (SB 3) for Sequence Boundary (
Lowstand Systems Tract (LST)
From the log signatures, the LST is bounded at the base by SB 1, SB 2, and SB 3 and at the top by TS 1, TS 2, and TS 3, showing the coarsening upward log motif. These system tracts represent sand packages that signify the basin floor fan, which is overlain by slope fan and capped by shaly lowstand wedge. The biostratigraphic study also showed progressive decrease in abundance and diversity of biofauna due to fall in water level and shallowing of the shore.
Transgressive Systems Tract (TST)
In Olure-1 well, the TST is bounded at the top by MFS 1, MFS 2, and MFS 3 and at the base by TS 1, TS 2, and TS 3. The stacking pattern showed a finning upwards log motif. Also the parasequences within the TST backstep in a retrogradational parasequence set. The progressive increase in biofauna indicated progressive increase in water level and that the systems tract progressively deepens upward as successively younger parasequences step farther landward.
Highstand Systems Tract (HST)
The HST is bounded at the base by MFS 1, MFS 2, and MFS 3 and at the top by SB 1, SB 2, and SB 3. The early highstand consists of an aggradational parase- quence set as evidenced on the log signatures. However, the late highstand is composed of one or more progradational parasequence sets (
The depositional milieu of the study wells were determined based on the sedimentological and biostratigrapical inferences (
The recovered palynomorphs suggested a marine depositional environment with fresh water influx based on the occurrence of abundant land derived forms such as Racemonocolporites hians, Psilatricolporites crassus, Pachydermites diederixi, Retitricolporites irregularies, Laevigatosporites sp., Verrugatosporites sp., Acrostichum aureum and Pteris sp., as well as moderate numbers of dinoflagellate cysts which include Leiophaeridia sp., Lingulodinium Machaero- phorum, Polysphaeridium zoharyi, Operculodinium centocarpum, spiniferites sp. Few marine indicators microforaminiferal wall linings with sparse occurrences of dinoflagellate cysts and fresh water algae Botryococcus brauni suggested a littoral-marine depositional environment. However, the benthic foraminifera distribution suggest a broad grouping of the intervals as inner to middle neritic based on characteristic depth indicator foraminfera recorded within the intervals. This include Bolivina mandoroveensis, Eponides eshira, Lenticulina grandis, Lenticulina grandis, Cibicorbis inflata, Heterolepa floridana, Florilus ex. gr scaphum, Poroeponides lateralis, Uvigerina sparsicostata, Uvigerina subperegrina, Bolivina ex. gr. scalptrata, Valvulineria sp. and Epistominella pacifica.
The application of sequence stratigraphic framework in the study wells have made prediction possible, the positioning of the key chronostratigraphic surfaces, such as flooding and erosional surfaces as well as the System Tracts (ST) and their parasequences stacking patterns. This allows for the identification of plays and potential prospect evaluations in exploration for oil and gas. The sequence stratigraphic study of the two wells indicated that the lowstand consist of sand packages that can serve as hydrocarbon reservoirs. It is suggested that during periods of lowering of the sea level, when the rate of sediment input far exceeded the subsidence rate (progradation), deposition of sandstone reservoir occurred in the form of incised valley fills, slope fan complexes and prograding complex within the lowstand wedges. As the sea level began to rise, the earlier formed reservoirs were sealed by the deposition of relatively organically rich shale prone sediments of the Transgressive Systems Tract (TST). This model produces a reservoir/seal relationship whereby hydrocarbon expelled by the organically rich lithofacies, upon maturation may be trapped within the sealed reservoir rocks either by structural, and/or stratigraphic trapping mechanism.
The integration of biostratigraphic data with wireline log data exemplified a sequence stratigraphic model to be generated for Olure-1 and Abigboro-1 wells. Lithologic description from logs and cutting samples indicated a mixture of sand and shale units. The various biostratigraphic plots for Olure-1 well show the presence of Maximum Flooding Surfaces at depth intervals 2304 m - 2487 m and 2652 m - 2730 m, while Abigboro-1 well shows the presence of Maximum Flooding Surfaces at depth range between 1750 m - 1788 m and 2115 m - 2134 m. This was corroborated by the composite plot from biostratigraphical data and wireline log signatures which also indicated the presence of Maximum Flooding Surface at about 2728 m (MFS 1) and 1797 m (MFS 2) depths (Olure-1 well). The presence of a Sequence Boundary at depth of 2602 m (SB 1) was also identified which also corroborated with the depth interval where there appeared to be the least abundance and diversity of species as shown in the biostratigraphic data of the well. The deposition environmental studies suggested an inner neritic to coastal deltaic setting for Olure-1 and Abigboro-1 wells. The presence of some diagnostic species such as Lenticulina grandis, Florilus ex. gr. costiferum, Hanzawaia concentrica, Hopkinsina bononiensis, Marginulina costata and Pseudonodosaria sp. (Olure-1 well) and Bolivina mandoroveensis, Eponides eshira, Lenticulina grandis, Lenticulina grandis, Cibicorbis inflata, Heterolepa floridana, Florilus ex. gr scaphum, Poroeponides lateralis, Uvigerina sparsicostata, Uvigeri- na subperegrina, Bolivina ex. gr. scalptrata, Valvulineria sp. and Epistominella pacifica (Abigboro-1 well) suggests late Oligocene - early Miocene age. A sequence stratigraphic model generated for exploration suggest the sand packages of the Lowstand Systems Tract can serve as reservoir rock while the fossiliferous shale units of the Transgressive Systems Tract could serve as the seals and source rock for hydrocarbon.
Boboye, O.A., Oladayo, A.S. and Okon, E.E. (2017) An Integrated Wireline-Log and Biostratigraphic Appraisal of Olure-1 and Abigboro-1 Wells, Onshore Niger Delta. Open Journal of Geology, 7, 1140-1159. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2017.78076