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Depositional model for mud-diapir controlled intra-slope basins, deepwater Niger delta, Nigeria

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Abstract

The study investigated depositional model for mud-diapir controlled intra-slope basins, deepwater Niger delta, Nigeria using conventional 3D seismic data and an enhanced detection of geologic events volume. The results of the study revealed three types of seismic facies namely accretionary channel, distributary channel and lobe and drape complexes. Channels varied in both morphology and associated depositional elements and their sinuosity was found to generally reduce with decreasing age of occurrence. Six different types of reservoir elements were identified in the study area. Three reservoir elements were associated with the channel axis and the other three elements were associated with sheet deposits. Knowledge of these variations as well as identification of the different elements is necessary to a successful exploration and development plan. The depositional model generated for the study area showed repeatable and cyclic depositional processes involved in sedimentation in this type of basin. The ideal major depositional cycle was made up of mass transport deposits at the base, overlain by a distributary channel and lobe complex, overlain by an amalgamated channel complex, and capped by a drape complex. A modified depositional model referred to as the deflect-model applies to shale-diapir sub-basins in Nigeria.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the management of Kumasi Polytechnic, Kumasi headed by the Rector Prof. N.N.N. Nsowah-Nuamah, for providing financial assistance to undertake this study. Special thanks to oil & gas resource and digital Geo-Processes, Yangtze University and Research Institute of China National Offshore Oil Corporation for providing data to undertake the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geosciences, Yangtze University, No.1 University Road, Caidian Wuhan, 430100, Hubei, China

    E. K. Nyantakyi, Tao Li, Wangshui Hu & J. K. Borkloe

  2. Civil Engineering Department, Kumasi Polytechnic, P.O. Box 854, Kumasi, 00233-03220, Ghana

    E. K. Nyantakyi & J. K. Borkloe

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  1. E. K. Nyantakyi
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  2. Tao Li
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Correspondence to Wangshui Hu.

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Nyantakyi, E.K., Li, T., Hu, W. et al. Depositional model for mud-diapir controlled intra-slope basins, deepwater Niger delta, Nigeria. Acta Geod Geophys 51, 207–225 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-015-0121-9

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