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Interpretation of Airborne Magnetic and Geo-electric Data: Resource Potential and Basement Morphology of the Ikom–Mamfe Embayment and Environs, Southeastern Nigeria

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Abstract

The Ikom–Mamfe Embayment, which cuts across southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon, is a bifurcation of the Benue Trough and the NW–SE splay component of the NE–SW trending trough. The Nigerian sector of the embayment, a sedimentary province bounded to the north and south by basement terrains, is considered a relatively frontier basin with little information about its resource potential. Here, airborne magnetic, resistivity and self-potential (SP) data were integrated in studying the Nigerian sector of the embayment and its surrounding localities. This study aimed to delineate (possible) mineral-bearing lineament structures and their corresponding trend orientations, to evaluate their relationship to tectonic fabric, to estimate depth of perturbing causative sources, to map ore bodies, and to identify probable locations for detailed petroleum system analysis. For the first time, 2D electrical resistivity and SP methods were deployed in the sub-surface characterization of the embayment. Results of aero-magnetic data analysis revealed the presence of high magnetic intensities predominantly in the western and northeastern parts of the study area. The high intensities observed at the western part are due to mineral ore bodies present within a sedimentary host. In addition to the presence of mineral ores, the noticeable high magnetic signatures at the northeastern part are associated with the presence of outcropping units of basement complex rocks that comprise mainly of migmatitic metasediments. The large variation in magnetic intensities within the embayment is attributed to the combined effect of igneous intrusives and mineral-bearing lineaments emplaced within the overlying sediments. Analysis of structural lineaments depicts E–W and ENE–WSW as the dominant orientations with minor NW–SE, NE–SW and NNE–SSW trends. The NE–SW and ENE–WSW structures are aligned parallel to the Benue Trough and the Cameroon Volcanic Ranges, and are genetically related. These lineaments occur in the form of faults, fractures and veins, and they are densely distributed within some areas of moderate to high intensities and analytical amplitudes. This suggests a possible relationship between structural lineaments and metalliferous deposits. These lineaments were marked for ground geophysical surveys. The geophysical traces derived from these areas reveal numerous underlying mineral bodies of contrasting resistivity and potential with their host formation. These bodies are shallow magnetic sources exposed in the first and second vertical derivative images. These show remarkable agreement between the geo-electric data and the aero-magnetic data. The results of quantitative assessment show shallow basement depth and, hence, thin sedimentary layer (0.2–2.4 km) within and around the embayment, which is insufficient for the concealment of hydrocarbon resource. In addition, the presence of numerous intrusive rocks implies a high temperature environment favorable for “cooking” of potential source rocks beyond the hydrocarbon generating window. This renders the area disadvantageous for hydrocarbon exploration. However, we discover that the sedimentary thickness (ranging between 3 and 4 km) mapped at the southwestern part of the area could favor the formation and accumulation of hydrocarbon fluids. This area, characterized by moderate igneous intrusion, lies approximately northeast of the prolific Niger Delta oil province and shows fair to good sub-surface structural conditions required for hydrocarbon entrapment. The basement morphology, sedimentary thickness and structural disposition call for a detailed petroleum system analysis within this area.

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(Modified after Benkhelil 1989)

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(Adopted from Yasukawa et al. 2003; Biswas and Sharma 2017)

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(Adopted from Yasukawa et al. 2003; Biswas and Sharma 2017)

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(Adopted from Yasukawa et al. 2003; Biswas and Sharma 2017)

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the Local Scholarship Scheme of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). The authors are grateful to the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) for providing aero-magnetic data used in this study. Thanks are due to Dr. I.A Oha for graciously accepting to prepare the rose diagram. The useful comments and suggestions by the Editor and two anonymous reviewers, which greatly helped to improve the manuscript, are gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Applied Geophysics Unit, Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria

    Charles Chibueze Ugbor, Chidubem Okwudiri Emedo & Innocent John Arinze

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  1. Charles Chibueze Ugbor
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Correspondence to Chidubem Okwudiri Emedo.

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Ugbor, C.C., Emedo, C.O. & Arinze, I.J. Interpretation of Airborne Magnetic and Geo-electric Data: Resource Potential and Basement Morphology of the Ikom–Mamfe Embayment and Environs, Southeastern Nigeria. Nat Resour Res 30, 153–174 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-020-09725-0

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