A major feature of the habitat of petroleum in the Niger Delta Basin is the association of petroleum traps with growth faults. A good understanding of the timing of fault motion has now been shown to be vital for successful exploration of fault-bounded prospects.
A major feature of the habitat of petroleum in the Niger Delta Basin is the association of petroleum traps with growth faults. A good understanding of the timing of fault motion has now been shown to be vital for successful exploration of fault-bounded prospects.
A major feature of the habitat of petroleum in the Niger Delta Basin is the association of petroleum traps with growth faults. A good understanding of the timing of fault motion has now been shown to be vital for successful exploration of fault-bounded prospects.
S P E C I A L S E C T I O N : A f r i c a 6HLVPLFLQWHUSUHWDWLRQVWUXFWXUDODQDO\VLVDQGIUDFWDOVWXG\RIWKH *UHDWHU8JKHOOL'HSREHOW1LJHU'HOWD%DVLQ1LJHULD A major feature of the habitat of petroleum in the Niger Delta Basin is the association of petroleum traps with growth faults. Because of the signifcant role of these faults in hydrocarbon accumulation and redistribution in the basin, a good understanding of the timing of fault motion has now been shown to be vital for successful exploration of fault- bounded prospects. In most petroleum habitats, structural elements such as fault patterns, their kinematics, geometry, timing, and size of the structures control the distribution of hydrocarbons in adjacent fault blocks. Te success or otherwise of an exploration well in such areas depends on the location of such a well relative to the structural closure interpreted from the seismic data. Experience has shown that detailed structural analysis of prospective felds can provide a reliable kinematic and growth history upon which risks associated with fault movement, trap integrity and structure, geometry/size modifcation can be evaluated before deciding on the drilling location. Te objectives of this paper were to evaluate the structural elements that controlled hydrocarbon distribution in three felds or closures and provide explanations for drilling results obtained. Tere was the need to provide adequate explana- tion for the lack of hydrocarbons at predicted levels in an exploration well and to study the implications of these for nearby analog felds. A proper understanding of the process of fault growth by propagation and coalescence, sealing po- tentials of faults, and, ultimately, improved understanding of the fault pattern in any feld will lead to a more efective feld development planning. Te felds studied are situated along adjacent fault blocks in a part of the Greater Ughelli Depo- belt of the Niger Delta Basin. Tis area (Figure 1) falls within the extensional zone of the Niger Delta Basin (Doust and Omatsola, 1989; Damuth, 1994; Pochat et al., 2004). In an extensional deltaic setting, the interaction between sedimentary processes and fault slip is documented by the growth of faults. Terefore, to understand the structural control on hydrocarbon distribution in adjacent fault blocks, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the fault kinematics to decipher the tectonic and stratigraphic history recorded by the growth faults. Statistical and geometric analyses of faults from reservoir and top seal intervals of the various felds help us understand their fractal na- ture (scaling properties) and to simulate subseismic faults in the area. Knowledge of the number, size, and distribution of small or subseismic faults leads to inferences about their infuence on fuid fow and top seal leak probability. Tis kind of analysis is now yielding good results that lead to better feld development planning and top seal leak assessment D. K. AMOGU, J. FILBRANDT, K. O. LADIPO, and C. ANOWAI, Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd. K. ONUOHA, University of Nigeria (e.g., Edwards, 1995; Mansfeld and Cartwright, 1996; Cart- wright et al., 1998; Castelltort et al., 2004). Structural style and play concept in the study area Te study area is subdivided into three main fault blocks by WNW-ESE-trending, basin-ward dipping, and arcu- ate growth faults (Figure 1). Te three felds or closures (A, B, and C) under study lie within the same structural trend. Field A is producing while closure B contains a series of ma- jor prospects. Closure C is an unappraised discovery (UAD). A and B are bounded by the same fault (fault 1consisting of three segments) while closure C is defned by fault 4 which is antithetic to a main fault (fault 2). Te stratigraphic level of the objective intervals (F1000K2000) is between 31.3 and 33.3 Ma. Te estimates of the sealing capacity along the faults at these objective levels in Field A and closure B are similar. In addition, the hydrocarbon system analyses sug- gest similar source rock and charge timing as well as struc- tural confgurations at these levels. Te predrill prognosis of lithology and depth based on well 1 in Field A, was confrmed by the postdrill result of closure B and established the basis and confdence in the cor- relation (Figure 2). However, while all objectives are saturated with hydrocarbon in Field A (Figure 2a), they are dry at clo- sure B (about 4 km from Field A). Fluid inclusion screening, however, indicated the presence of hydrocarbons at all objec- tive intervals at closure B. At closure C, about 6 km east of B, hydrocarbons were encountered only at shallower levels (C7000 and C8100) than the objective levels. Two sets of poststack time-migrated refection data cov- ering about 250 km 2 were used to interpret 170 km 2 over the study area. A semblance volume was derived from the refection volume and horizontal semblance used to highlight Figure 1. Semblance time slice of the study area, showing Field A and closures B and C. Lines 1-7 are sections used for kinematics analysis. Fault picks correlate well with fault traces. Te regional geology map is modifed from Onuoha (1999). Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ June 2011 The Leading Edge 641 A f r i c a developments at the felds. Te adopted workfow included seismic interpretation, fault pattern analysis, growth estima- tion and fault kinematics, sequential restoration, and decom- paction of sections. Seismic interpretation Te frst phase of the interpretation involved fault interpreta- tion. Faults were picked on vertical sections along the direc- tion of maximum transport and correlated along the fault trace on semblance slices (Figure 1). Te faults sticks were correlated with multiple semblance slices at an interval of 0.5 s to constrain fault shape and validate vertical correlation of faults in a 3D visualization tool. Subsequently, the fault sticks were modeled to produce the corresponding fault surfaces. Horizon interpretation con- stituted the second phase of the interpretation. Te mapped events were identifed from well correlation and tying well lateral amplitude variations caused by faults and stratigraphic discontinuities (Figure 1). Available well tops and logs were useful in identifying the horizons of interest. Te vertical re- fection sections (Figure 3) refect stratigraphic and tectonic Figure 2. (a) Logs of well 1 in Field A, showing some of the hydrocarbon-saturated intervals. (b) Stratigraphic correlation across Field A with closures B and C. Figure 3. (a)-(c) Seismic refection sections showing stratigraphic thicknesses at the closures. (d) Semblance slice. Figure 4. (a) Horizon interpretation in 3D. (b) Fault-horizon Earth model. Horizons displayed from Shallow_3 to level K4000 (6920 11,990 ft). Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ 642 The Leading Edge June 2011 A f r i c a tops to seismic events. A 3D visualization method was preferred for horizon interpretation because of the large data volume available (i.e., inline, crossline, and time slice used simultaneously, Figure 4a). Horizons were picked on later- ally continuous refections, starting from the well locations, and autotracked at regular pick intervals determined by data quality. Te fault-horizon Earth model (Figure 4b) resulting from the seismic interpretation provided the framework for the structural analysis of the felds using the techniques men- tioned above. Fault pattern analysis Te fault geometries encountered in the area included simple listric faults, antithetic faults, buried counter-regional faults, and crossing conjugate faults. Te propagation and the inter- actions of these faults produced diferent structural features that impacted the horizons diferently. Te three main faults (faults 1, 2, and 4) that bound the closures interact within the vicinity of closure B. Fault 2 terminated behind the clo- sure while the antithetic fault (fault 4) intersected fault 1 at the F1000 level (Figure 5). Faults 5 and 1 (Figure 5) formed a strike or relay ramp close to closure B. Relay ramps form along arrays of normal faults that con- tain en-echelon ofsets, or step-overs, (Morley et al., 1990; Peacock and Sanderson, 1991, 1994). Tey are common in extensional data sets because they are ubiquitous features in extensional terrains (Tearpock et al., 1994). On 3D data sets, the data may become semicoherent, or deteriorate where two faults overlaps, perhaps because of the fault shadow efect. If this occurs, then structural horizon mapping may result in the mapping of two fault surfaces as a single fault surface (Tearpock and Bischke, 2003). Also, on 2D and 3D seismic data sets, structural aliasing results in mapping the two over- lapping faults as one fault. Relay ramps have a limited lateral zone, therefore, even on good data, en-echelon faults may be overlooked if the interpretation is based on insufciently close seismic lines. Te pitfall is that these ramps may or may not contain a fault that would form a three-way fault closure (Brenneke, 1995). Figure 5 shows the F1000 horizon and the throw profles of fault 1 at F1000. An abrupt drop along a fault throw profle is typical of a zone of fault coalescence (Filbrandt et al. 2007). Figure 5. (a) F1000 level showing extracted fault mid line. (b) Trow profle of fault 1. (c) Semblance slice at F1000 level. Notice the drop in throw at zone (X) of fault coalescence. (d) and (e) Trow profles of faults 2 and 3, respectively. Both illustrate the theory of throw conservation at fault intersection. Fault 2 dropped from about 720 ft to about 320 ft while its branch (fault 3) propagated away from the intersection with a throw of about 400 ft. (f ) Trow profle of fault 4. Figure 6. (a) Te use of the expansion index (E.I.) to express growth- fault behavior. Section of growth fault with activity in units A and B expressed in E.I. values >1.0, where E.I. equals ratio of stratigraphic thickness in hanging wall to footwall (A/A, B/B). Fault activity ceases at end of unit B, leaving unit C with E.I. of 1.0. (b) Procedure for generation of T-Z plot. Sections of two growth faults with contrasting values of E.I. for identical slip rates, U, due to contrasting background sediment accumulation rates (S1 < S2). Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ June 2011 The Leading Edge 643 A f r i c a Ad Space Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ 644 The Leading Edge June 2011 A f r i c a Where such drops exist without obvious fault coalescence, it implies that a fault has been missed out or miscorrelated in the interpretation. A semblance slice (Figure 5c) taken at the hanging-wall time equivalent (1984 ms) of F1000 shows point X as a zone of fault coalescence. At fault intersections, fault throw must be conserved. If the sum total of the throw of the faults that emerged from an intersection is not equal to the throw of the faults that entered the intersection, it im- plies that a fault has been missed out or miscorrelated. Faults 2 and 3 (Figures 5d and 5e) clearly illustrate the theory of throw conservation at a fault intersection. Trow in Fault 2 dropped from about 720 ft to about 320 ft while its branch (fault 3) propagated away from the intersection with a throw of about 400 ft. Fault 4 (Figure 5f ) has low throw values (5080 ft) around well 1 in Field 3. Tis implies a high footwall risk for thick reservoirs (100200 ft) and thin top seals. Growth and kinematics analysis To understand the interplay between sedimentation and fault movement, three methods of kinematic analysis of growth faults have been proposed (Torsen, 1963; Tearpock and Bischke, 1991; Bischke, 1994). Te growth or expan- sion index method (Torsen) is useful in determining peri- ods of most signifcant growth (Edwards, 1995). However, this method does not contain any information about abso- lute displacement since it is simply a ratio (Cartwright et al., 1998). Hence, local sedimentation rates can produce diferent growth index values for faults with the same slip magnitude. For example, consider two faults that accumulate an equal Figure 7. T-Z plots of seven sections across fault 1. (a) and (b) T-Z trend at Field A and closure B. (c) A transition pattern between Field A and closure B. (d) Fault grid showing the sections, well tops, and hydrocarbon contacts. Figure 8. Iscochore maps showing stages of fault propagation and subregional trapping evolution. Te numbers in the fault polygons indicate the thickness variation across the faults. Tey suggest periods of fault activity. Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ June 2011 The Leading Edge 645 A f r i c a slip in a given time interval (Figure 6, after Cartwright et al.). Tese two faults are growing in settings with contrasting sediment accumulation rates (S1 < S2) and are represented by contrasting expansion indices for the interval, despite their equal slip rates and amounts. Te vertical separation versus depth plot (cf., throw/depth plot; Cartwright et al.; Castelltort et al., 2004; Back, et al., 2006; Tearpock and Bischke, 1991, 2003) is a high-resolu- tion method that can detect growth where growth is not obvi- ous in the data. Te last method is the multiple Bischke plot analysis (Bischke, 1994; Sanchez et al., 1997). Tis method helps in identifying stratigraphic and/or tectonic correlation problems in wells. In this study, we have adopted the throw-depth (T- Z) method for the study of fault kinematics. Te measured throw between hanging wall and corresponding footwall ho- rizon pairs is plotted against the hanging-wall depth value of each horizon to produce the T-Z plot. For the horizon pairs shown in Figure 6b, the fault throw T, with respect to the B horizon is given by Bd-Bu. A plot of T against Bd gives a T-Z plot. Plots that have zero slope phase (i.e., constant throw) are interpreted as nongrowth or postdeposi- tional propagation, suggesting that the fault was probably not emergent or buried at the depositional surface. On the plot, a sloping phase is indicative of the growth-generating fault- ing phase (Cartwright et al.; Back et al.). Te incremental growth or throw of any interval is equivalent to the slope of that interval. Figure 3 shows some interpreted horizons correlated across fault 1. A total of 11 horizon pairs were used for the T-Z plots in this study. Te T-Z plots (Figure 7) show the displacement pattern along seven sections across fault 1. Te number of growth and nongrowth intervals varies along the strike of the fault. At Field A, the fault has one nongrowth and two growth phases. At closure B, the fault has three non- growth and four growth-generating phases. Te plot of the section between Field A and closure B shows a transitional pattern between the trends at Field A and closure B. A similar plot analysis at closure C shows two nongrowth and three growth phases. Closures B and C show a polycyclic pattern because they have at least two nongrowth phases. Tis implies that fault 1 is stable at Field A compared to closure B. Tis localized contrasting kinematic history along the strike of fault 1 and the adjacent fault 2 refects the susceptibility of individual faults to failure under similar vertical stress (i.e., sediment load). Te variation in strength of rock materials or fault integrity observed along fault 1 is probably infuenced by the interaction of the fault with other faults. Polycyclic growth behavior has been observed for large growth faults over long time periods in the Gulf Coast (Edwards, 1995). In deltaic settings, growth faults are gravitationally driven tectonic systems. As such, a correlation is expected between sediment loading and fault activity. Cartwright et al. corre- lated three phases of growth observed from 17 faults in the Wadata Fault Zone to three main regressive cycles over ap- proximately 130 k.y. (130,000 years) during the regressive phase (i.e., shoreline regression and transgression by sea-level rise) growth faulting stops. Tis similarity supports the long- term coupling between sediment loading and fault activity. At the study area, well results from Field A show that hy- drocarbons accumulated essentially at the nongrowth phase (levels F1000K2000). Tis can be correlated to the stabil- ity of fault 1 and the consequent preservation of fault seal at Field A. Tis is shown by the hydrocarbon contacts displayed on the fault surfaces in Figure 7. Subregional trap history Subregional trap evolution and fault propagation history of the study area was evaluated by analyzing isochore maps between diferent intervals. Te map of K2000H5000 (33.431.3) in Figure 8 shows that fault 1 had developed at Field A but not at closure B. Also fault 2 had developed at closure C within this Figure 9. Oil generation and expulsion curves. (a) Generation curve and (b) expulsion curve. Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ 646 The Leading Edge June 2011 A f r i c a period and fault closures also developed at Field A and against the main fault at closure C. Figure 8 shows that fault closure ex- ists at all the objective levels in Field A. At closure B, fault closure exists only at the shallow objective level. At a deeper level (K), the fault closure is weak. Closure C has a more robust closure against fault 2 than fault 4 where well 1 was drilled. Te result of 1D basin modeling (Figure 9) shows that hydrocarbon gen- eration commenced at about 27.5 Ma while its expulsion started at about 19.0 Ma. Both generation and expulsion seem to have continued until the present. Tis implies that any existing trap ought to have been flled with hydrocarbons except where such a trap has been breached or spilled by subsequent fault move- ment or where no fault seal exists. Te timing of source rock, reservoirs and faulting/traps are summarized in the petroleum systems analysis chart (Figure 10). In 2D view (Figure 11), structural restoration of the sections through key wells in the felds shows that, at about the time of inception of hydrocarbon expulsion (19.0 Ma), closure exists against all the main bounding faults. It also suggests that the risk of sand-sand juxtaposition is high at the well 1 location at closure C. Tis is because the an- tithetic fault has small throw (5080 ft) at the well com- pared to the thickness of the sands (75280 ft) and shales encountered by the well. Conclusions Traps formed earlier at all objective levels at Field A com- pared to closures B and C because faulting and closure devel- opment started and ceased earlier (at about 18 Ma) around the vicinity of Field A. Relative stability of the fault at Field A possibly enhanced the retention of trapped hydrocarbons at Field A compared to closures B and C where faulting ceased Figure 10. Petroleum systems analysis chart of the Greater Ughelli Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin. Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ June 2011 The Leading Edge 647 A f r i c a at about 14 Ma. Tis implies that structures in Field A had been stable and, consequently, had been trapping the ex- pelled hydrocarbons since 18 Ma to present. Because faulting and closure development ended at about 14 Ma at closures B and C, it is expected that any trap that is in place should have been flled with hydrocarbons be- cause hydrocarbon expulsion in the study area is predicted to have continued till the present day. However, well results at the two closures proved otherwise because the wells did not encounter hydrocarbon accumulation at the objective levels. Te chances of hydrocarbon accumulation at closure B was diminished because later faulting caused the closure to change shape and migrated from west to east. Te relief of the Figure 11. Sequential decompaction and restoration of sections at the approximate time of hydrocarbon expulsion to assess structure geometry and footwall risk. (a) Field A. (b) Closure B. (c) Closure C. Note possible sand-sand juxtaposition at well 1 in closure C. Figure 12. Earth model showing strike ramp near closure B. blank for ad Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/ 648 The Leading Edge June 2011 A f r i c a closure at B appears to have been relatively low initially and was further reduced by fault activity. Today the trap is subtle and may have only up to 50 ft of closure. Small changes in interpretation and depth conversion may easily remove the fault and dip closure at all levels. Also, the zone of coalescence of faults F1, F2, and F4 behind closure B (Figure 12) may have created a damaged zone with lower sealing capacity and, as such, fault seal at closure B may have been breached. Well 1 in closure B was dry because of the absence of a trap at the deeper objectives while the risk of fault seal failure is also high at and around level F1000 because of the small throw and possibly low shale gouge ratios (SGR). In addition, late fault movement may have modifed and breached the paleo-closures (traps) and, as a result, trapped spilled hydrocarbons, leaving a paleo-amplitude anomaly at closure B. We recommend detailed fault mapping, analysis of fault geometry, growth patterns, and subregional trap evaluation as key components of an evaluation workfow to assess the structural risks associated with prospects as they advance in the maturation funnel. References Back, S., C. Hocker, M. B. Brundiers, and P. A. Kukla, 2006, Tree- dimensional-seismic coherency signature of Niger Delta growth faults: integrating sedimentology and tectonics: Basin Research, 18, no. 3, 323337, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2117.2006.00299.x. Bischke, R. E., 1994, Interpreting sedimentary growth structures from well log and seismic data (with examples): AAPG Bulletin, 78, 873892. Brenneke, J. C., 1995, Analysis of fault traps: World Oil, December, 6371. Cartwright, J. A., R. Bouroullec, D. James, and H. D. Johnson, 1998, Polycyclic motion history of some Gulf Coast growth faults from high-resolution displacement analysis: Geology, 26, no. 9, 819822, doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0819:PMHOSG>2.3 .CO;2. Castelltort, S., S. Pochat, and J. Van Den Driessche, 2004, Using T-Z plots as a graphical method to infer lithological variations from growth strata: Journal of Structural Geology, 26, no. 8, 1425 1432, doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2004.01.002. Damuth, J. E., 1994, Neogene gravity tectonics and depositional processes on the deep Niger Delta continental margin: Marine and Petroleum Geology, 11, no. 3, 320346, doi:10.1016/0264- 8172(94)90053-1. Doust, H. and E. Omatsola, 1989, Niger Delta: AAPG Memoir, 48, 201238. Edwards, M. B., 1995, Diferential subsid- ence and preservation potential of shal- low-water Tertiary sequences, northern Gulf Coast Basin, USA, in A.G. Plinth, ed., Sedimentary facies analysis: A tribute to the research and teaching of Harold. G. Reading: International Association of Sedimentologists, Special Publication 22, 265281. Filbrandt, J. B., P. D. Richard, and R. Frans- sen, 2007, Fault growth and coalescence: insights from numerical modelling and sandbox experiments: GeoArabia, 12, 1732. Mansfeld, C. S. and J. A. Cartwright, 1996, High-resolution fault displacement mapping from three-dimen- sional seismic data: evidence for dip linkage during fault growth: Journal of Structural Geology, 18, no. 23, 249263, doi:10.1016/ S0191-8141(96)80048-4. Morley, C. K., R. A. Nelson, T. L. Patton, and S. G. Munn, 1990, Transfer zones in the East African rift system and their relevance to hydrocarbon exploration in rifts: AAPG Bulletin, 74, 12341253. Onuoha, K. M., 1999, Structural features of Nigerias coastal margin: an assessment based on age data from wells: Journal of African Earth Sciences, 29, no. 3, 485499, doi:10.1016/S0899-5362(99)00111-6. Peacock, D. C. P. and D. J. Sanderson, 1991, Displacement, segment linkage, and relay ramps in normal fault zone: Journal of Structural Geology, 13, no. 6, 721733, doi:10.1016/0191-8141(91)90033-F. Peacock, D. C. P. and D. J. Sanderson, 1994, Geometry and develop- ment of relay ramps in normal fault systems: AAPG Bulletin, 78, 147165. Pochat, S., S. Castelltort, J. Van Den Driessche, K. Besnard, and C. Gumiaux, 2004, A simple method of determining sand/shale ra- tios from seismic analysis of growth faults: An example from upper Oligocene to lower Miocene Niger Delta deposits: AAPG Bulletin, 88, no. 10, 13571367, doi:10.1306/04290403117. Sanchez, R., J.-Y. Chatellier, R. de Sifontes, N. Parra, and P. Munoz, 1997, Multiple Bischke plots analysis, a powerful method to distin- guish between tectonic or sedimentary complexity and miscorrela- tions; methodology and examples from Venezuelan oil felds: Me- morias del Primero Congreso Latinoamericano de Sedimentologia, Soc. Venezolana de Geologo, Tomo II, Noviembre 1997, 257264. Tearpock, D. J. and R. E. Bischke, 1991, Applied subsurface geologi- cal mapping: Prentice-Hall. Tearpock, D. J. and R. E. Bischke, 2003, Applied subsurface geologi- cal Mapping second edition: Prentice-Hall, New Jersey. Tearpock, D. J., R. E. Bischke, and J. L. Brewton, 1994, Quick look techniques for prospect evaluations: Lafayette, Louisiana Subsur- face Consultants and Associates. Torsen, C. E., 1963, Age of growth faulting in Southeast Louisiana: Transactions - Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, 13, 103110. Acknowledgments: Te authors are grateful to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) for providing the data and other facilities used for this study. We are grateful to Chike Onyejekwe, exploration manager at the time this work was done, for approving the study and earlier publication of some results. Corresponding author: mosto.onuoha@gmail.com blank for ad Downloaded 16 Nov 2011 to 76.120.23.222. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/