See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/321423536

SEISMIC FACIES ANALYSIS AND DEPOSITIONAL PROCESS INTERPRETATION OF

'GEORGE FIELD', OFFSHORE NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

Article  in  Journal of Basic and Applied Research International · November 2016

CITATIONS READS

5 2,157

3 authors, including:

Olubola Abiola
Federal University of Technology, Akure
12 PUBLICATIONS   95 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Published article View project

"Transition Zones Analysis from Well Logs and 3D Seismic Data Using Empirical Capillary Pressure Model on ‘Stephs Field’, Niger Delta" View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Olubola Abiola on 01 December 2017.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Journal of Basic and Applied Research
International
13(4): 243-252, 2016
ISSN: 2395-3438 (P), ISSN: 2395-3446 (O)
International Knowledge Press
www.ikpress.org

SEISMIC FACIES ANALYSIS AND DEPOSITIONAL

PROCESS INTERPRETATION OF ‘GEORGE FIELD’,
OFFSHORE NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

ABIOLA OLUBOLA1* AND OLOWOKERE MARY TAIWO1

1
Department of Applied Geophysics, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS
This work was carried out in collaboration between both authors. Both authors designed the study, wrote the
protocol and interpreted the data. Author AO performed preliminary data analysis and both authors managed the
literature searches and produced the initial draft. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Received: 11th September 2015

Accepted: 14th October 2015
Published: 10th November 2015 Original Research Article
__________________________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT

Seismic Facies Analysis and Depositional Process Interpretation of ‘George Field’ offshore Niger Delta was
carried out with a view to determining the hydrocarbon potential of the area. Seismic facies were characterized
using seismic reflection amplitude and continuity, internal reflection geometry, and the nature of the bounding
surfaces. Four seismic facies types: I, II, III, and IV were identified and mapped. Seismic facies, coupled with
the identification of key basinwide unconformities, were used to separate the strata into four megasequences:
SQ_1, SQ_2, SQ_3 and SQ_4. The seismic facies maps of the sequences were generated.
Generally, the facies distribution for the sequences revealed that sequence SEQ_1 has low- moderate amplitude
continuous reflection facies (Type III facies) and high amplitude continuous and sub parallel reflection facies
(Type II facies) are the predominant facies type. In sequence SEQ_2 it could be seen to compose primarily of
low-moderate amplitude continuous reflection facies (Type III facies). The sequence SEQ_3 was observed to
consist of low amplitude continuous reflection facies (Type III facies), suggesting low energy turbidities the
high amplitude continuous and sub parallel reflection facies (Type II facies) and low amplitude discontinuous
sub parallel reflection facies (Type IV facies) suggesting possible mass movement deposit. And sequence
SEQ_4 composed mainly of high amplitude continuous and parallel reflection facies (Type I facies).
The direction of sediments supply within the study area could possibly be from the west to east as interpreted by
the variations in the seismic facies. Both high and low density turbidity current deposits were suggested as the
dominant depositional processes in this area. The environment of sediment deposition in this area is delta plain,
shelf, slope to toe of slope.

Keywords: Seismic facies; depositional process; well logs; unconformities; megasequences.

1. INTRODUCTION surfaces of unconformities and strata termination

within and between two unconformable sequence
Depositional processes and environment can best be boundaries [1]. Depositional processes and pattern of
interpreted based on two characteristic properties on some sequences can be observed and traced in
seismic sections, termination of reflection along correlation with global changes in the sea level.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Corresponding author: Email: abiola1703@gmail.com;


Seismic reflection is the major tool that could be used
in the stratigraphy interpretation, coupled with well
logs it can be used to interprete depositional processes
and environment.
Reflection configuration, reflection continuity,
interval velocity and internal geometry of the
reflection package exhibit combinations of physical
characteristics that distinguish them from adjacent
seismic facies. This assists in delineating the
depositional framework, which provides meaningful
analysis and interpretation of the reservoir potential
and characterization. The deep offshore of Niger
Delta basin is an oil rich depobelt or shelf that
consists of alternating stacked pattern of lowstand and
highstand slope fan, which delineated the reservoir
pattern and competency.
2. LOCATION AND GEOLOGY OF THE
STUDY AREA
The study area is situated on latitude 3º and 6ºN and
longitudes 5º and 8ºE, Niger Delta Nigeria (Figs. 1
and 2). The George field falls within the parasequence
of set of Agbada Formation and the structure consists
of a simple rollover anticline that is bounded to the
Fig. 1. Map of the Niger Delta showing the base map of the study area and the well locations
244
Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016
north by a major growth fault. The crest is flat/
elongated and runs parallel to the bounding fault. The
stratigraphic sequence in the field consists of marine
shales of Akata Formation which is about 6100 m
thick, the Agbada Formation which is 4500 m thick
and it is overlain by the Benin Formation which is
about 1820 m thick [2].
Deep offshore of Niger Delta of Nigeria is situated
over oceanic crust emplaced during Cretaceous
Paleogene first related spreading of the South
Atlantics. Initial sedimentation began within Upper
Cretaceous – Lower Oligocene hemipelagic
mudstones of the Akata Formation, late Oligocene
through recent progradation for the Niger Delta into
the slope rise environment allowed for turbidite
deposition of the more coarse grained siliclastics of
the Agbada Formation [2,3]. The latter contain the
lower and middle Miocene reservoir- seal couplets
responsible for the major deepwater hydrocarbon
accumulations discovered to date. The underlying
Akata Formation is believed to contain the main
source intervals. Tertiary extension on the Niger Delta
shelf was the driving process for gravity driven
structures of the deepwater [2,3].

Fig. 2. Base map of the study area covered by the seismic data and the well locations
According to [4,5,6], the Tertiary sequence consists of
alternations of clastic lithologies that occur in stacked
sections of (regressive) offlap cycles. These
lithologies comprise sandstones, silts and shales of
much similarity, whatever their age or situation in the
sequence. Thus, in a vertical sense, the sequence can
be subdivided into three lithofacies in ascending order
of Akata, Agbada and Benin Formations (Fig. 3). The
overall regressive clastic sequence reaches a
maximum thickness of 30,000-40,000 ft (9,000-
12,000 m) at the approximate depocenter in the
central part of the delta [3].
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The data sets used for this study comprises;
geophysical well logs (GR, Resistivity, Sonic) from
245
Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016
four wells A, B, C and D, checkshot data and 3-D
Seismic sections (496 Inlines and 780 Crosslines)
(Figure 4) covering a total area of about 85.8 km2.
Reflection terminations are the principal criteria used
for the recognition of the seismic sequence boundaries
on the seismic sections. The types of reflection
terminations identified are based on the types of strata
terminations that are defined. They can be broadly
divided into two: (i) top-discordant relations and; (ii)
base-discordant relations. These two terms have been
used in the literature to delineate the base and the top
of seismic sequences [6,7]. These seismic parameters
were interpreted to express gross lithologic,
stratification and depositional features of the
sediments generating them. These seismic parameters
were based on visual inspection of the seismic
sections. Reflection configurations that were

inspected included parallel, subparallel, divergent,
prograding clinoforms (sigmoid, oblique, complex
sigmoid to oblique, shingled hummocky), chaotic, and
reflection free or transparent (Figs. 5 and 6).
In addition, the configurations were described using
the modifying terms such as even, wavy, regular,
irregular, uniform, variable, hummocky, lenticular,
disrupted and contorted. The delineated
configurations were interpreted in terms of
environmental setting, depositional processes and
estimates of lithology following the approach of
[1,8,9,10].
There are four main steps that were followed in the
visual analysis of the reflection configuration and
preparation of seismic facies maps in the area of
study. These steps are: (i) recognition and
differentiation of seismic facies units; (ii) transfer of
seismic facies descriptions from the seismic sections
to location map; (iii) transferring of relevant
information such as reflection terminations into the
seismic facies map and dominant type of reflection
configuration; (iv) interpretation of seismic facies in
terms of environmental setting.
Fig. 3. Stratigraphjc column showing the three formations of the Niger Delta [5,6]
246
Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Seismic facies were characterized using seismic
reflection amplitude and continuity, internal reflection
geometry, and the nature of the bounding surfaces.
Seismic facies analysis subdivides the seismic section
into packages of concordant reflections, which are
separated by surfaces of discontinuity defined by
systematic reflection terminations. These packages of
concordant reflection are interpreted as depositional
sequences consisting of genetically related strata and
bounded at their top and base by unconformities or
their correlative conformities. Reflection terminations
interpreted as stratal terminations include erosional
truncation, toplap, onlap, and downlap [8]. The colour
of the seismic sections was changed to grayscale for
easy identification of the facies. In all, four seismic
facies were identified and mapped, which were
classified as Type I, II, III and IV as facies types.
Seismic facies coupled with the identification of key
basinwide unconformities, were used to separate the
strata into four megasequences: SEQ_1, SEQ_2,
SEQ_3 and SEQ_4 (Figs. 5 and 6).
 Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4):
1 243-252, 2016

(ms)

Fig. 4. Typical un-interpreted seismic section

(ms)

Fig. 5. Typical interpreted seismic facies section

247

(ms)
Fig. 6. Typical interpreted seismic facies section
4.1 Sequence SEQ_1
Fig. 7 is the seismic facies map of SEQ_1, it is the
deepest sequence and it is composed of predominantly
low-moderate amplitude continuous reflection facies
(Type III facies) occupying most of the central part
and extending to the northern segment of the
sequence, the sediments were deposited under
uniform energy environment. Low- moderate
amplitude discontinuous reflection pattern (Type IV
facies) occur at the northwestern and in isolation
within the high continuous parallel reflection at the
southeastern part of the area, the sediments were
deposited under variable energy environment. The
high amplitude continuous and sub parallel reflection
facies (Type II facies) occur at the southeastern and
also at the central part of the study area which suggest
that the strata were deposited in a relatively
widespread and uniform environment. The lithology
could be interbedding of shale with relatively thick
sandstones deposited in a low-energy environment.
The sediments in this sequence might have been
deposited within the slope/toe of slope environment.
A cross section through the upper and lower surfaces
of sequence SEQ_1 (Fig. 7) reveals that the facies
units were thinning from east to west direction.
4.2 Sequence SEQ_2
The seismic facies map of SEQ_2 is as shown
in Fig. 8. The facies map shows large areas of
248
Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016
low-moderate amplitude continuous reflection pattern
(Type III facies) covering the central, northeastern,
northwestern and extending to part of the southern
part of the sequence, the sediments could have been
deposited under uniform energy environment.
Low-moderate amplitude discontinuous reflection
pattern (Type IV facies) occurs at the southern,
northwestern and the southeastern segment of the
sequence, the sediments could also have been
deposited under variable energy environment. The
high amplitude continuous and sub parallel reflection
facies (Type II facies) occur at the western, which
suggest that the strata were deposited in a relatively
widespread and uniform environment. The lithology
could also be interbedding of shale with relatively
thick sandstones deposited in a low-energy
environment. The sediments in this sequence might
have been deposited within the slope/toe of slope
environment. A cross section through the upper and
lower surfaces of sequence SEQ_2 reveals that the
facies units were relatively thickens from east to west.
4.3 Sequence SEQ_3
The seismic facies map of SEQ_3 is as shown in
Fig. 9. The low-moderated amplitude continuous
reflection pattern (Type III facies) occurs at the
central and extends to the northern, and in isolation at
the eastern part within the low-moderate amplitude
discontinuous reflection segment segments of the

sequence; the sediments could have been deposited
under uniform energy environment. Low-moderate
amplitude discontinuous reflection pattern (Type IV
facies) occurs at the southeastern and in isolation at
the northcentral part within the low-moderate
amplitude continuous reflection segment of the
sequence; the sediments were deposited under
variable energy environment. The high amplitude
continuous, sub parallel reflection pattern (Type II
facies) could be seen at the southern, western and at
the extreme north eastern part of the sequence, this
suggest that the strata were deposited in a relatively
widespread and uniform energy environment. The
sediments in this sequence might have been deposited
within the shelf environment. A cross section through
the upper and lower surfaces of sequence SEQ_3
(Figure 9) reveals that the facies units were relatively
thickens from east to west.
Fig. 7. Seismic facies map of sequence SEQ_1
249
Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016
4.4 Sequence SEQ_4
Fig. 10 is the seismic facies map of SEQ_4, it is the
youngest sequence and it is characterized mainly by
high amplitude continuous and parallel reflection
facies (Type I facies) occupying the entire sequence.
High continuity of reflections in this facies suggest
continuous strata deposited in a relatively widespread
and uniform environment, and high reflection
amplitudes are interpreted to indicate interbedding of
shales with relatively thick sandstones. The sediments
in this sequence might have been deposited within the
delta plain environment.
Table 1 shows the summary of the seismic and the
stratigraphic interpretation of the depositional
environments.
 Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016

Fig. 8. Seismic facies map of sequence SEQ_2

Fig. 9. Seismic facies map of sequence SEQ_3

250
 Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016

Fig. 10. Seismic facies map of sequence SEQ_4

Table 1. Seismic and stratigraphic interpretation of depositional environments

5. CONCLUSION major fault can be interpreted as the active fault, while

the other faults (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F7) which are
Seven faults labeled as F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6 and F7 both synthetic and antithetic faults are minor faults.
were delineated and mapped. The fault F1 which is a Seismic sequence analysis using reflection

251

termination patterns such as toplap, onlap, downlap
and erosional truncation were used for the
identification and mapping of the sequences which lie
between 1.0 second and 2.3 seconds two way travel
times, the reflections below 2.2 seconds is generally
poor. The internal reflection geometry of the
sequences varies laterally.
Seismic facies were characterized using seismic 5.
reflection amplitude and continuity, internal reflection
geometry, and the nature of the bounding surfaces. In
all, four seismic facies were identified and mapped,
which were classified as Type I, II, III and IV as 6.
facies types. Seismic facies coupled with the
identification of key basinwide unconformities, were
used to separate the strata into four megasequences:
SEQ_1, SEQ_2, SEQ_3 and SEQ_4.
The depositional environments within the study area
could be interpreted as been controlled by these
factors, the amount and type of sediments input,
fluctuations in relative sea level, tectonic activity and
regional growth faulting. These depositional and
structural controls partly influence and augment each
other. Sea level changes cause the varying amounts
and types of materials transported into a basin [11].
This has resulted in the varying amounts and types of
materials to be transported to upper slope within the
study area. Both high and low density turbidity
current deposits were suggested as the dominant
depositional processes in this area of the slope. This
flow can be initiated at the shelf edge where unstable
deltas are located during the times of lower sea level.
Transport by this mechanism onto slope results in
thick parallel layers that fill bathymetric lows. The
environment of sediment deposition in this area is
delta plain, shelf, slope to toe of slope.
COMPETING INTERESTS
Authors have declared that no competing interests
exist.
REFERENCES
1. Vail PR, Mitchum RM, Todd RG, Widmier
JM, Thompson S, Sangree JB, Bubb JN,
Hatlelid WG. Seismic stratigraphy and global 11. Mann GR, Bryant RW, Rabinowitz DP.
changes in sea level, in Payton CE, ed. Seismic
Stratigraphy– Applications to Hyrocarbon
Exploration: American Association of
Petroleum Geologists Memoirs. 1977;26:
49-212.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
© Copyright International Knowledge Press. All rights reserved.
View publication stats
Olubola and Taiwo; JOBARI, 13(4): 243-252, 2016
2.
Short KC, Stauble J. Outline geology of niger
delta. AAPG Bulletin. 1967;5:761-779.
3. Avbovbo AA. Tertiary lithostratigraphy of
Niger Delta. AAPG Bulletin. 1978;62:295-300.
4. Kulke H. Nigeria, in Kulke H, ed. Regional
Petroleum Geology of the World, Part II:
Africa, America, Australia and Antarctica:
Berlin, Gebruder Borntraeger. 1995;143-172.
Shannon PM, Naylor N. Petroleun Basin
Studies, London, Graham and Trotman
Limited. Academic Publishers, Netherlands.
1989;153-169.
Doust H, Omatsola E. Niger Delta in Edwards
JD, Santogrossi PA. Divergent/Passive Margin
Basins, American Association of Petroleum
Geologists Memoir 48: Tulsa. 1990;239-248.
7. Sangree JB, Widmier JM. Seismic stratigraphy
and global changes in sea level Part 9: Seismic
interpretation of clastic depositional facies, in:
Payton edited seismic stratigraphy: Application
to hydrocarbon exploration, American
Association of Petroleum Geologists Memoir
26, AAPG Tulsa. 1977;165-184.
8. Mitchum RM, Vail PR, Thompson S. Seismic
stratigraphy and global changes in sealevel,
part 2: The depositional sequence as a basic
unit for stratigraphic analysis. In: Payton (Ed.),
Seismic Stratigraphy: Application to
Hydrocarbon Exploration. Association of
Petroleum Geologists Memoir No. 26, AAPG,
Tulsa. 1977;53–62.
9. Catuneanu O, Abreu V, Bhattacharya JP, Blum
MD, Dalrymple RW, Eriksson PG, Fisher WL,
Galloway WE, Gibling MR, Giles KA,
Holbrook JM, Jordan R, Macurda B, Martinsen
OJ, Miall AD, Neal JE, Nummedal D, Pomar
L, Fielding CR, St. C, Kendall CG,
Posamentier HW, Pratt BR, Sarg JF, Shanley
KW, Steel RJ, Strasser A, Tucker ME, Winker
C. Towards the standardization of sequence
stratigraphy. 2009;1-33.
DOI: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2008.10.003
10. Mitchum RM, Vail PR. Seismic stratigraphy
and global changes in sea level, part 7: Seismic
stratigraphic interpretation procedure, in
Payton CE, ed. Seismic stratigraphy-
Applications to hydrocarbon exploration:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Memoir. 1977;26:135-144.
Seismic facies interpretation of the Northern
Green Cayon Area, Gulf of Mexico, in:
Geology and Geophysics of Continental
Margins: American Association of Petroleum
Geologists Memoir. 1992;53:343-360.
252