Undiscovered Oil Resource Assessment of the Deepwater Sectors of Two Key West Aftican Basin

Wilson, Tom¹, Simon Otto², Mark Cowgill³, Fugro Robertson³ (1) Fugro-Robertson, Llandudno, United Kingdom (2) Robertson Research International Limited, Llandudno, North Wales, United Kingdom (3) Robertson Research International, North Wales, United Kingdom

The Niger Delta and Lower Congo Basins developed on a passive margin as divergent basins containing continental, transitional and oceanic crust. Rifting ended at approx. 100 Ma in the Niger Delta Basin and approx. 120 Ma in the Lower Congo Basin, which lies within the West African salt province. The West African margin has a relatively extensive shelf and extends onto the abyssal plain where water depths are over 3000 m. A number of plays have been identified in the Lower Congo (predominantly in the Cretaceous), notably the prolific Aptian to Albian Carbonate/Sandstone play. These plays are mostly present on the shelf and are well explored; it is our intention to discuss the deepwater resource potential. Only the Eocene to Miocene Sandstone Play has been proven in the deepwater, although significant hydrocarbon reserves have also been identified in the Coniacian to Paleocene Sandstone Play. Upper Cretaceous and Eocene to Miocene Sandstone Plays have been recognised in the Niger Delta, but the former is not relevant here due to its absence in the deepwater and poor reserve potential. The Yet-To-Find reserves described do not include the Joint Development Zone.