SpringerLink
Log in

Paleoenvironments and hydrocarbon reservoir potentials from the selected sedimentary basins in Nigeria using sedimentary facies and textural analyses

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Sedimentary Environments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sedimentary facies, petrographic, textural, and mineral analyses of sections of conglomerates/pebbles and sandstone facies of the Lokoja and Patti Formations in southern Bida Basin, Ajali and Abeokuta Formations in the Anambra and Dahomey Basins in Nigeria respectively were carried out. These analyses aimed at deciphering the paleo-environment and reservoir potential of the formations. The study entailed field observations, petrographic, mineralogical (using X-ray diffractogram), granulometric, and pebbles morphological analyses. The fifteen lithofacies were identified and grouped into three main facies associations. The petrological results revealed that the dominant minerals are quartz, feldspar, and clay. The mineral analysis (XRD) also shows that quartz is predominant; the granulometric result shows that the formations are characterized by poor to well-sorted, strongly coarse to strongly fine skewed, and mesokurtic to leptokurtic sandstone grains. Pebble morphometric indices indicate fluvial to shallow marine fields. The integration of the sedimentary facies and textural analyses is suggestive of the shallow marine subtidal channel, subtidal wave, and estuarine mudflat environments with strong fluvial influences. Based on textural statistical and mineral analyses, the sandstones are moderately matured to immature, and the reservoir quality of sandstone facies is classified as good to very good in Lokoja, Ajali, and Abeokuta Formations and very poor to poor in Patti Formation. The areas that are potential and non-potential hydrocarbon reservoirs have been identified which will be beneficial to petroleum industries.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig.9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

All the data were acquired by the authors and are available for publication.

References

  • Adegoke, O. S. (1969). The Eocene stratigraphy of southern Nigeria. Geology Mineral, Memoir, 6, 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akande, S. O., Hoffknecht, A., & Erdtmann, B. D. (1992). Rank and petrographic composition of selected Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary coals of Southern Nigeria. International Journal of Coal Geology, 20(3–4), 209–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. R. L. (1981a). Lower cretaceous tides revealed by cross-bedding with mud drapes (p. 593). Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. R. L. (1981b). Palaeotidal speeds and ranges estimated from cross-bedding sets with mud drapes. Nature, 293, 394–396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Billman, H. G. (1992). Offshore Stratigraphy and Paleontology of the Dahomey Embayment, West Africa. Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, 7, 121–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blatt, H. (1992). Sedimentary petrology (p. 514). Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boersma, J. R., & Terwindt, J. H. J. (1980). Neap-spring tide sequences of intertidal shoal deposits in a mesotidal estuary. Neap-The Netherlands International Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braide, S. P. (1992). Studies on the sedimentation and tectonics of the Yola arm of Benue Trough: Facies architecture and their tectonic significance. Journal of Mining and Geology, 28, 23–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, A. R., & Dalrymple, R. W. (2011). Principles of tidal Sedimentology. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, R. (1970). Interpreting detrital modes of greywacke and arkose. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 40, 695–707.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dim, C. I. P., Onuoha, K. M., Okeugo, C. G., & Ozumba, B. M. (2017). Petroleum system elements within the Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene sediments of Nigeria’s inland basins: an integrated sequence stratigraphic approach. Journal of Africa Earth Science, 130, 76–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dim, P. I. C., Mode, W. A., & Okwara, C. I. (2018). Signatures of key petroleum system elements: outcrop examples from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 9, 1615–1631. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-018-0589-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobkins, J. E., & Folk, R. L. (1970). Shape development in Tahiti Nui. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 40, 1167–1203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eriksson, K. A., & Simpson, E. (2011). Precambrian tidal facies. In R. A. Davis Jr. & R. W. Darlymple (Eds.), Principles of tidal sedimentology (p. 609). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ezike, E. C., Okonkwo, H. I., & Iyi, E. C. (2019). Paleoenvironmental deduction from pebble morphometry and textural studies of Sandstone Deposits Isuochi and Environs, Anambra Basin, South Eastern Nigeria. Global Journal of Geological Sciences, 18, 23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folk, R. L. (1974). Petrology of sedimentary (p. 182). Hemphillis Publication Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folk, R. L., & Ward, W. (1957). Brazos River bar: A study of significance of grain size parameters. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 31, 514–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, G. M. (1961). Distinction between dune, beach, and river sands from their textural characteristics. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 31, 514–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gazzi, P. (1996). Le arenarie del Flysch sopracretaceo dell Appennino modenese; correlazioni conil Flysch di monghidoro. Mineral et Petrographica Acta, 12, 69–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghazi, S., & Mountney, N. (2009). Facies and architectural element analysis of a meandering fluvial succession: The Permian Warchha Sandstone, Salt Range, Pakistan. Sedimentary Geology, 221, 99–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, H. A. (1958). The oolitic ironstones of Agbaja Plateau, Kabba province. Records of Geological Survey of Nigeria, 1955, 20–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, H. A., & Hockey, R. D. (1964). The geology of Southwestern Nigeria. Geological Survey of Nigeria Bulletin, 13, 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahle, M., Kleber, M., & Jahn, R. (2002). Review of XRD-based quantitative analyses of clay minerals in soils: The suitability of mineral intensity factors. Goederma, 109(3–4), 191–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7061(02)00175-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krumbein, W. C. (1941). Measurements and geological significance of shape and roundness of sedimentary particles. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 11, 64–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krumbein, W. C., & Monk, G. D. (1942). Permeability as a function of the size parameters of unconsolidated sand. AIME Tech. Publ. (ZDB-ID 2589 114) 1492, pp. 153–163.

  • Krumbein, W. C., & Monk, G. D. (1945). Reservoir parameters evaluations classification range and interpretation. Nigerian Association of Petroleum Exploration, 29, 81–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladipo, K. O. (1986). Tidal shelf depositional model for the Ajali Sandstone, Anambra Basin, southern Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Science, 5(2), 177–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ladipo, K. O. (1988). Paleogeography, sedimentation and tectonics of the upper Cretaceous Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Africa Earth Science, 7(5–6), 865–871.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ladipo, K. O., Akande, D. O., & Mueke, A. (1994). Genesis of ironstone from middle Niger Sedimentary basin, evidence from sedimentological, ore microscope and geochemical studies. Journal of Mining and Geology, 30, 161–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levell, B. K. (1980). A late Precambrian tidal shelf deposit, the lower Sandfjord formation, Finnmark, North Norway. Sedimentology, 27, 539–557.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levorsen, I. (1967). Geology of Petroleum (p. 724). W. H. Freeman and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miall, A. D. (1996). The geology of fluvial deposits: Sedimentary facies, basin analysis and petroleum geology. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, D. M., & Reynolds, R. C., Jr. (1997). X-ray diffraction and the identification and analysis of clay minerals (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nayak, G. N. (2018). Estuarine mudflat and mangrove sedimentary environments along Central West Coast of India. Journal of Environmental Earth Sciences, 1(1), 1013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nton, M. E., & Adamolekun, O. J. (2016). Sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of outcrop sediments of Southern Bida Basin, Central Nigeria: implications for provenance, paleoenvironment and tectonic history. Ife Journal of Science, 18, 345–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwajide, C. S. (2005). Anambra Basin of Nigeria: synoptic basin analysis as a basis for evaluating its hydrocarbon prospectivity. In C. O. Okogbue (Ed.), Hydrocarbon potentials of the Anambra Basin: geology, geochemistry and geohistory perspectives. Proceedings of the first seminar organized by the petroleum technology development fund (PTDF) chair in geology (pp. 1–46). University of Nigeria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nwajide, C. S., & Reijers, T. J. A. (1996). Geology of the southern Anambra Basin. In T. J. A. Reijers (Ed.), Selected chapters on geology (pp. 133–148). Warri: Shelf Petroleum Development Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obaje, N. G. (2009). Geology and mineral resources of Nigeria. Heidelberg: Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Obaje, N. G., Moumouni, A., Goki, N. G., & Chaanda, M. S. (2011). Stratigraphy, paleogeography and hydrocarbon resource potentials of the Bida Basin in North-Central Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology, 47(2), 97–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odumodu, C. F. R., & Ugwuona, E. N. (2013). A regional evaluation of the paleodepositional environment of the Ajali Formation in the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 4, 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ocheli, A., Okoro, A. U., Ogbe, O. B., & Aigbadon, G. O. (2018). Granulometric and pebble morphometric applications to Benin Flank sediments in Western Anambra Basin, Nigeria: Proxies for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment., 190(5), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odumodu, C. F. R. (2013). Facies and granulometric analysis as proxies for the paleodepositional environment of the Imo formation, Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 3(14), 55–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odumodu, C. F. R. (2014). Pebble form indices as signatures of the depositional environment of the Ajali Sandstone. Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 8(2), 132–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odumodu, C. F. R., & Ephraim, B. E. (2007a). Paleoenvironmental analysis of the Nsukka formation, using pebble morphology. Natural and Applied Sciences Journal, 8(1), 73–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odumodu, C. F. R., & Ephraim, B. E. (2007b). Pebble Morphometry as an indicator of the depositional environment of the Ajali Sandstone. Natural and Applied Sciences Journal, 8(2), 132–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odumodu, C. F., & Ugwuona, E. N. (2013). A regional evaluation of the paleodepositional environment of the Ajali formation in the Anambra, Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research., 4(12), 2185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odunze, S. O., & Obi, G. C. (2013). Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the Nkporo Group (Campanian–Maastrichtian), Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Journal of Palaeogeography, 2(2), 192–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogala, J. E., Adaikpoh, E. O., Omo-Irabor, O. O., & Onotu, R. O. (2010). Granulometric analysis and pebble morphometric studies as indicators of depositional environments of sandstone facies around Okanyan and Environs in the Benin Formation Southwestern Nigeria. World Applied Sciences Journal, 11(3), 245–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ojo, J. O., & Akande, O. S. (2019). A revised stratigraphy of the Bida basin, Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Science, 172, 103983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afreaarsci.2020.103983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ojo, O. J., & Akande, S. O. (2003). Facies relationships and depositional environments of the Upper Cretaceous Lokoja formation in the Bida Basin< Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology, 39(1), 39–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ojo, O. J., & Akande, S. O. (2008). Microfloral assemblage, age and paleoenvironment of the Upper Cretaceous Patti Formation, southeastern Bida Basin, Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology, 44, 71–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ojo, O. J., & Akande, S. O. (2009). Sedimentology and depositional environments of the Maastrichtian Patti Formation, Southeastern Bida Basin, Nigeria. Cretaceous Research, 30, 1415–1425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2009.08.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okolo, C. G., Emedo, C. O., Obumselu, C. A., Madukwe, C. F., & Ulasi, N. A. (2020). Lithofacies, particle size analysis and paleodepositional environment of the Eze-Aku Group (Cenomanian Turonian) in the Itigidi-Ediba area, Afikpo Synclinorium, southeastern Nigeria. Journal Sedimentary Environments, 5, 375–398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-020-00012-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okoro, A. U., Igwe, E. O., & Umo, I. A. (2020). Sedimentary facies, paleoenvironments and reservoir potential of the Afikpo Sandstone on Macgregor Hill area in the Afikpo Sub Basin, southeastern Nigeria. SN Applied Sciences, 2, 1862. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-020-03601-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okosun, E. A. (1990). A review of the cretaceous stratigraphy of the Dahomey Embayment, West Africa. Cretaceous Research, 11, 17–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omatsola, M. E., & Adegoke, O. S. (1981). Tectonic evolution and cretaceous stratigraphy of the Dahomey Basin. Journal of Mining and Geology, 18(1), 130–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Onuigbo, E. N., Okoro, A. U., Obiadi, I. I., & Okoyeh, E. I. (2016). Sedimentary facies characterization and depositional settings of the Ajali Sandstone, Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria. Scholars Research Library Archives of Applied Science Research, 8(10), 10–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petters, S. W. (1996). Terminal Cretaceous regressions in Nigeria basins. Geologic De I’ Atlantic Sud Actes Colloqnes Angers El’f Aquitaine Memoir, 16, 166–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettijohn, F. J. (1975). Sedimentary rock (3rd ed., p. 628). Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman, M. A. O., Fadiya, S. L., Adekola, S. A., Coker, S. J., Bale, R. B., Olawoki, O. A., Omada, I. J., Obaje, N. G., Akinsanpe, O. T., Ojo, G. A., & Akande, W. G. (2019). A revised stratigraphy of the Bida Basin, Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 15, 67–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afrearsci.2018.11.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reyment, R. A. (1965). Aspects of the Geology of Nigeria (p. 145p). University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahu, K. B. (1964). Depositional mechanism for size analysis of clastic sediments. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 34(1), 73–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sames, C. W. (1966). Morphometric data of some recent pebble associations and their application to ancient deposits. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 36, 125–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sneed, E. D., & Folk, R. L. (1958). Pebbles in the lower Colorado River, Texas: A study in particles morphogenesis. Journal of Mining and Geology, 66, 114–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stratten, T. (1974). Notes on the application of shape parameters to differentiate between beach and river deposits in southern Africa. Transactions Geological Society of South Africa, 77, 59–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taiwo, O. B., Adeyemi, A. B., & Ademeso, O. A. (2015). Provenance Analysis of Sediments in ILU-TITUN and Environs, Eastern Dahomey Basin, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences., 7(3), 60–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todd, D. K. (1960). Groundwater hydrology. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, S., & Riddle, B. (2001) Estuarine sedimentation and vegetation-management issues and monitoring priorities. Environment Waikato Internal Series 2001/05. Document #: 686944.

  • Visher, G. S. (1969). Grain-size distributions and depositional processes. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 39(3), 1074–1106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman, A. (1982). Nigeria: its petroleum geology, resource, and potentials (p. 394). Graham and Trotman.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Zingg, T. H. (1935). Beitrage zur Schotteranalyse, Schweizer, Mineralogy, U, Petrog, Mitt. (vol. 15, pp. 39–140).

Download references

Acknowledgements

Our thanks sincerely go to the editors and anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments/criticism, which have helped in improving the manuscript.

Funding

No funding of any form was received for this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Federal University Lokoja, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

    Godwin Okumagbe Aigbadon, Ernest Orji Akudo, Simon Dalom Christopher, Ogaga Esharive & Joseph Amobi Francis

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

    Azuka Ocheli

  3. Department of Geology, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

    Obinna Chigoziem Akakuru

Authors
  1. Godwin Okumagbe Aigbadon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Azuka Ocheli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Obinna Chigoziem Akakuru
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ernest Orji Akudo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Simon Dalom Christopher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ogaga Esharive
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Joseph Amobi Francis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Godwin Okumagbe Aigbadon.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Communicated by M. V. Alves Martins

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aigbadon, G.O., Ocheli, A., Akakuru, O.C. et al. Paleoenvironments and hydrocarbon reservoir potentials from the selected sedimentary basins in Nigeria using sedimentary facies and textural analyses. J. Sediment. Environ. 7, 371–401 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-022-00101-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-022-00101-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation