Abstract
The Termit Basin, located southeast of Niger, is an extensional asymmetric rift, belonging to the western part of the West and Central African Rift System. This study aims to predict the productive hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs of the Sokor1 Formation. Gas data acquired during the mud logging from three wells F-1-F-3 were used to conduct this study. The methodology implemented is based on the computation and analysis of the ratios of gas dryness coefficient, hydrocarbon wetness, hydrocarbon balance, hydrocarbon character, and Pixler ratio. Many reservoir units in the investigated wells revealed the presence of biogenic gas and mostly the lack of gas beyond methane, especially in well F-1, whereas reservoir unit E5-7 is indicated to be the gas-producing zone in well F-1, and two reservoir units, E5-4 and E5-5 in well F-3, proved to be oil-productive zones. In contrast, other reservoir units are characterized by negative slopes of curbs obtained from Pixler ratios, indicating water-bearing rather than hydrocarbons. Fluid characteristics and saturation were further corroborated by wireline logging data. The method, utilizing multiple gas ratios, necessitates careful mudlogging and regular monitoring to ensure reliable data and prevent contamination, identifying areas requiring further analysis. Numerous reservoir units in the analyzed wells indicated the presence of biogenic gas, suggesting that further investigation into its potential and valorization is required.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmed KS, Liu K, Paterne MA et al (2020) Anatomy of eastern Niger Rift Basin with specific references of its petroleum systems. Int J Geosci 11:305–324. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2020.115016
Amadou H, Ehirim CN, Dagogo T (2021) Well-based quantitative reservoir characterization of Eocene Sokor-1 Formation, Termit Basin Niger. Int J Geosci 12:159–169. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2021.122010
Bai S, Guo T, Zhao Y et al (2013) Mechanism enhancing gas sensing and first-principle calculations of Al-doped ZnO nanostructures. J Mater Chem A 1:11335–11342. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3TA11516J
Bang L, Jiao-Hua B, Lun-Kun M et al (2012) Polyphase rift evolution of the Termit Basin, eastern Niger: constraints from structural and sedimentary records. Geoscience 26:317–325
Barker C (1974) Pyrolysis techniques for source-rock evaluation. AAPG Bull (American Assoc Pet Geol 58:2349–2361. https://doi.org/10.1306/83d91baf-16c7-11d7-8645000102c1865d
Binks RM, Fairhead JD (1992) A plate tectonic setting for Mesozoic rifts of West and Central Africa. Tectonophysics 213:141–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90255-5
Bosworth W (1992) Mesozoic and early Tertiary rift tectonics in East Africa. Tectonophysics 209:115–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90014-W
Boyer C, Kieschnick J, Suarez-Rivera R et al (2006) Producing gas from its source. Oilf Rev 18:36–49
Brooks J, Welte D (1984) Advances in petroleum Geochemistry, Volume 1.
Chang LS, Zung E (2017) 3D reservoir characterization of field deta, Termit Basin Niger. Icipeg 2016:337–349. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3650-7
Davis JB, Squires RM (1954) Detection of microbially produced gaseous hydrocarbons other than methane. Science (80- ) 119:381–382. https://doi.org/10.1126/SCIENCE.119.3090.381
Evenick JC (2016) Evaluating source rock organofacies and paleodepositional environments using bulk rock compositional data and pristane/phytane ratios. Mar Pet Geol 78:507–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2016.10.008
Fairhead JD (1988) Mesozoic plate tectonic reconstructions of the central South Atlantic Ocean: the role of the West and Central African Rift System. Tectonophysics 155:181–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(88)90265-X
Fairhead JD, Green CM, Masterton SM, Guiraud R (2013) The role that plate tectonics, inferred stress changes and stratigraphic unconformities have on the evolution of the West and Central African Rift System and the Atlantic continental margins. Tectonophysics 594:118–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2013.03.021
Galimov EM (1980) A study of organic matter from deep oceanic boreholes, Deep Sea Drilling Project sites 415 and 416, in the Moroccan Basin. Initial reports Deep Sea Drill Proj Leg 50, Funchal, Madeira Islands, 1976, (U S GPO; U K Distrib IPOD Committee, NERC, Swindon) 575–603. https://doi.org/10.2973/dsdp.proc.50.120.1980
Genik GJ (1992) Regional framework, structural and petroleum aspects of rift basins in Niger, Chad and the Central African Republic (C.A.R.). Tectonophysics 213:169–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90257-7
Genik GJ (1993) Petroleum geology of Cretaceous-Tertiary Rift Basins in Niger, Chad, and Central African Republic. Am Assoc Pet Geol 77210–4778:30
Ghneej AA, Dashti J, Khan B, et al (2013) Fluid detection in carbonate reservoirs utilizing gas analysis-a case study *. Readings 41116:
Guiraud R, Bellion Y, Benkhelil J, Moreau C (1987) Post-Hercynian tectonics in Northern and Western Africa. Geol J 22:433–466. https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.3350220628
Guiraud R, Maurin JC (1992) Early Cretaceous rifts of Western and Central Africa: an overview. Tectonophysics 213:153–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(92)90256-6
Guiraud R, Bosworth W, Thierry J, Delplanque A (2005) Phanerozoic geological evolution of Northern and Central Africa: an overview. J African Earth Sci 43:83–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.07.017
Hamma AM, Harouna M (2019) Diagenesis and reservoir quality evolution of the Paleogene sokor1 sandstones in the Agadem Block, Termit Basin, eastern Niger. Int J Adv Geosci 7:147. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijag.v7i2.29562
Hamma AM, Bohari AD, Maharou HI, Ari AI (2023a) Effect of oil in place on sandstone reservoir quality of Dibeilla prospect, Termit Basin, Niger : insight from pre-stack seismic inversion and diagenesis. 11:. 10.21275/SR221227121605
Hamma M, Bohari AD, Ahmed KS, Harouna M (2023b) Thermal maturity evolution and hydrocarbon generation in the Dibeilla oil field, Termit Basin, eastern Niger: an organic geochemical and basin modeling approach. Arab J Geosci 16:. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11383-4
Harouna M, Philp RP (2012) Potential petroleum source rocks in the Termit Basin Niger. J Pet Geol 35:165–185. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.2012.00524.x
Harouna M, Pigott JD, Philp RP (2017) Burial history and thermal maturity evolution of the Termit Basin. Niger J Pet Geol 40:277–297. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpg.12676
Haworth JH, Sellens MP, Gurvis RL (1984) Reservoir characterization by analysis of light hydrocarbon shows. In: Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, (Paper) SPE. pp 199–204
Haworth JH, Sellens M, Whittaker A (1985) Interpretation of hydrocarbon shows using lighT (C//1-C//5) hydrocarbon gases from mud-log data. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 69:1305–1310. https://doi.org/10.1306/ad462bdc-16f7-11d7-8645000102c1865d
Hood. A, C.C.M. GJ, R.L. H (1975) Organic metamorphism and the generation of petroleum.pdf. Am Assoc Pet Geol 59:986–996
Kandel D, Quagliaroli R, Segalini G, Barraud B (2000) Improved integrated reservoir interpretation using the gas while drilling (GWD) data. In: Proceedings of the European Petroleum Conference. pp 547–563
Kandel D, Quagliaroli R, Segalini G, Barraud B (2001) Improved integrated reservoir interpretation using gas while drilling data. SPE Reserv Eval Eng 4:489–501. https://doi.org/10.2118/75307-pa
Lai H, Li M, Liu J et al (2018) Organic geochemical characteristics and depositional models of Upper Cretaceous marine source rocks in the Termit Basin Niger. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 495:292–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2018.01.024
Lai H, Wang Z, Yang L et al (2019) Source rock assessment within a sequence stratigraphic framework of the Yogou Formation in the Termit Basin Niger. Geol J 55:2473–2494. https://doi.org/10.1002/gj.3523
Lai H, Li M, Mao F et al (2020) Source rock types, distribution and their hydrocarbon generative potential within the Paleogene Sokor-1 and LV formations in Termit Basin Niger. Energy Explor Exploit 38:2143–2168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144598720915534
Lihong Z, Junqing SU, Xiaowei D et al (2017) Controlling factors of hydrocarbon accumulation in Termit rift superimposed basin Niger. Pet Explor Dev 44:358–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1876-3804(17)30042-3
Liss PS, Slater PG (1974) Carbon isotopic fractionations in natural gases. Nature 251:2
Liu B, Wan L, Mao F et al (2015) Hydrocarbon potential of upper cretaceous marine source rocks in the Termit Basin Niger. J Pet Geol 38:157–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpg.12604
Liu B, Zhang G, Mao F et al (2017a) The petroleum system of the tenere basin: oil geochemistry from the SH-1 wildcat well in eastern Niger. Pet Geosci 23:427–439. https://doi.org/10.1144/petgeo2015-067
Liu B, Zhang G, Mao F et al (2017b) Geochemistry and origin of Upper Cretaceous oils from the Termit Basin Niger. J Pet Geol 40:195–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpg.12672
Lorant F, Prinzhofer A, Behar F, Huc AY (1998) Carbon isotopic and molecular constraints on the formation and the expulsion of thermogenic hydrocarbon gases. Chem Geol 147:249–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(98)00017-5
Lui et al (2012) Polyphase Rift Evolution of the termit basin, eastern Niger: Constraints from structural and sedimentary records. Geoscience 317–325:9
Mao F, Liu J, Jiang H et al (2020) Diagenesis of Cretaceous sandstone and prediction of favorable reservoir development area in the Termit Basin of the West African Rift System. China Pet Explor 25:86–94. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672-7703.2020.04.009
McCarthy K, Rojas K, Niemann M et al (2011) Basic petroleum geochemistry for source rock evaluation. Oilf Rev 23:32–43
Murchison D (1969) Organic geochemistry
Nasaruddin MN, Zung LS, Md Rafek AG (2017) Petrophysical analysis of E5 sand group of Sokor Formation, Termit Basin, Niger. In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. p 9
Neino AG, Yao KA, Harouna M, Fea I (2020) Petrographic characterization of Campanian sandstones in the Termit Basin (Niger): diagenetic implication on the reservoir quality. 30:162–173
Novitasari BL (2018) Integrated gas while drilling analysis to optimize reservoir fluid characterization: an example from Plover Formation in eastern Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.29118/ipa.50.17.378.e
Peters KE (1986) Guidelines for evaluating petroleum source rock using programmed pyrolysis. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 70:318–329. https://doi.org/10.1306/94885688-1704-11D7-8645000102C1865D
Peters KE, Cassa MR (1994) Applied source rock geochemistry. Pet Syst - from source to trap 93–120
Peters KE, Moldowan JM (2017) Biomarkers: assessment of source rock thermal maturity. 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02330-4_10-1
Philip J (1993) Paléoenvironnements cénomaniens tardifs (94–92 Ma). Atlas Tethys palaeoenvironmental maps, Explic.
PIXLER BO (1969) Formation evaluation by analysis of hydrocarbon ratios. J Pet Technol 21:665–670 https://doi.org/10.2118/2254-pa
Price LC, Schoell M (1995) Constraints on the origins of hydrocarbon gas from compositions of gases at their site of origin. Nat 3786555(378):368–371. https://doi.org/10.1038/378368a0
Prinzhofer AA, Huc AY (1995) Genetic and post-genetic molecular and isotopic fractionations in natural gases. Chem Geol 126:281–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(95)00123-9
Rice DD, Claypool GE (1981) Generation, accumulation, and resource potential of biogenic gas. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 65:5–25. https://doi.org/10.1306/2f919765-16ce-11d7-8645000102c1865d
Rider M. (1986) The geological interpretation of well logs
Sahu A (2018) Application of integrated compositional gas ratio analysis to understand reservoir hydrocarbon potential and enhance the confidence of testing and reservoir lateral drilling: with examples from Krishna Godavari Basin, India. In: Offshore Technology Conference Asia 2018, OTCA 2018. p 13
Schoell M (1980) The hydrogen and carbon isotopic composition of methane from natural gases of various origins. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 44:649–661. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(80)90155-6
Schoell M (1983) Genetic characterization of natural gases. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 67:2225–2238. https://doi.org/10.1306/ad46094a-16f7-11d7-8645000102c1865d
Schull TJ (1988) Rift basins of interior Sudan: petroleum exploration and discovery. Am Assoc Pet Geol Bull 72:1128–1142. https://doi.org/10.1306/703c9965-1707-11d7-8645000102c1865d
Stahl WJ, Carey BD (1975) Source-rock identification by isotope analyses of natural gases from fields in the Val Verde and Delaware basins, west Texas. Chem Geol 16:257–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(75)90065-0
Taufani L (2017) Integrated gas while drilling analysis to optimize reservoir fluid characterization : an example from Plover Formation in eastern Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.29118/IPA.50.17.378.E
Tiab D, Donaldson EC (2004) Theory and Practice of Measuring Reservoir Rock and Fluid Transport Properties
Tissot BP, Welte DH (1978) Geochemical fossils in crude oils and sediments as indicators of depositional environment and geological history. In: Petroleum formation and occurrence. pp 378–389
Tissot BP, Welte DH (1984) Petroleum formation and occurrence, second revised and enlarged edition
Wan L, Liu J, Mao F et al (2014) The petroleum geochemistry of the Termit Basin, Eastern Niger. Mar Pet Geol 51:167–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARPETGEO.2013.11.006
Wang YH, Mao FJ, Wang ZY (2018) Tectonic characteristics and control effect of hydrocarbon accumulation in Termit Basin. In: Complex Hydrocarb. Reserv. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Tec%02tonic+characteristics+and+control+effect+of+hydrocarbon++accumulation+in+Termit+Basin.&btnG=. Accessed 25 May 2023
Wang GC, Sun MZ, Gao SF, Tang L (2018b) The origin, type, and hydrocarbon generation potential of organic matter in a marine-continental transitional facies shale succession (Qaidam Basin, China). Sci Rep 8:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-25051-1
Wang X, Wan L, Jiang Z et al (2017) Controlling factors and accumulation model of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Upper Cretaceous Yogou Formation, Koulele Area, Termit Basin Niger. J Earth Sci 28:1126–1134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-016-0936-5
Wang T, Yuan S, Li C et al (2022) Geological structure and dynamic mechanism of the Termit rift basin in West African rift system. Pet Explor Dev 49:1339–1350. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1876-3804(23)60353-2
Worden RH, Smalley PC, Oxtoby NH (1996) The effects of thermochemical sulfate reduction upon formation water salinity and oxygen isotopes in carbonate gas reservoirs. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:3925–3931. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(96)00216-5
Xiao H, Wang TG, Li M et al (2019) Geochemical characteristics of Cretaceous Yogou Formation source rocks and oil-source correlation within a sequence stratigraphic framework in the Termit Basin Niger. J Pet Sci Eng 172:360–372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.09.082
Zanguina M, Bruneton A, Gonnard R (1998) An introduction to the petroleum potential of Niger. J Pet Geol 21:83–103. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1998.tb00647.x
Zhao N, Zhang G, Gao X, Huang J (2020) Sedimentary characteristics and reservoir model of distant braided delta deposits: a case on upper Cretaceous Yogou Formation of Termit Basin, Niger. In: Springer Series in Geomechanics and Geoengineering. Springer Singapore, pp 2252–2269
Acknowledgements
We express our gratitude to the African Union for supporting this research through a Ph.D. scholarship and a research grant to the first author. The authors would also express their gratitude to the Nigerien Ministry of Petroleum, Niamey, for providing the data and permission to publish this article.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Santanu Banerjee
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Ari, M.A.I., Nton, M.E., Harouna, M. et al. Reservoir fluid characterization of the Sokor1 Formation, Fana tectonic unit, Termit Basin, southeastern Niger Republic. Arab J Geosci 17, 147 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-024-11918-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-024-11918-3