Print this pageHydrocarbon Potential of North Eastern Part of Taoudenni Basin Algeria
B. Boukhallat Saad1, Athmane R. Rahmani2, Abdellah G. Goucem2, and Saadallah Nabil3
1Sonatrach exploration algeria, Boumerdes algeria, Andorra
2Sonatrach exploration algeria, Boumerdes algeria, Algeria
3Sonatrach exploration, algiers, Algeria
Abstract With a surface area of approximately 1,500,000 km2, the Taoudenni basin, which takes the form of an extensive syneclise, is the largest basin in West Africa. It is covered by a very slightly deformed sedimentary cover comprising infra-Cambrian and Paleozoic series The infra-Cambrien sedimentary cover of the northeastern part of the Taoudenni basin. can be subdivided into three main lithological assemblages. (Douik group),(Hank group) and (Dar Echeikh group), Preliminary analysis of structural elements reveals a number of important events in the tectonic and sedimentary history of the infra-Cambrian sedimentary assemblages and a chronology is: At the end of the cratonization of the Reguibat High (2000 MA), submeridian basement faults were reactivated through extension or transtension, and an unconformable basal sandstone series was deposited along these in what were probably pull-apart basins. Then, transgression with deposition of the Stromatolite limestone series and regression with deposition of the upper clay-sandstone series occurred. The two assemblages were deposited with variations in thickness indicative of syn-sedimentary activity of faults in the cap rock (probably associated with faults in the basement). Finally, there was termination of the transpressive tectonics and deposition of the first Paleozoic members (Cambrian) unconformably on the infra-Cambrian series. An excellent source rock described as black shale exists in the infra-Cambrian formations. Reconstitution studies have demonstrated that this source rock was deposited in a synrift context. Structural and sedimentological investigations have identified different types of hydrocarbon traps that may exist within the northeastern part of the Taoudenni basin.
AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90072 © 2007 AAPG and AAPG European Region Conference, Athens, Greece