Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827

DOI 10.1007/s12517-015-1798-3

ORIGINAL PAPER

Sequence stratigraphy and depositional environments

of Middle-Late Miocene sediments in the eastern part
of the Coastal Swamp depobelt, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria
Ayonma Wilfred Mode

Received: 8 June 2014 / Accepted: 20 January 2015 / Published online: 13 March 2015
# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2015

Abstract Detailed studies on depositional sequence, genetic Keywords Sequence stratigraphy . Systems tract .
facies, and depositional environment were done using se- Genetic facies . Environment of deposition (EOD)
quence stratigraphic tool in the paralic sequence of Middle
to Late Miocene age in the Coastal Swamp depobelt of the
Niger Delta Basin. This was aimed at increasing the resolution
for prediction of reservoir, seal, and source rocks in the eastern Introduction
part of the basin. Integration of well logs and biofacies data
with paleobathymetric control allowed regional correlation of The Middle to Late Miocene strata of the Niger Delta Basin
major transgressive-regressive events between wells, resulting are among the most challenging targets for stratigraphic and
in the generation of a sequence stratigraphic framework and environment of deposition (EOD) interpretation because of
environment of deposition (EOD). Dominant genetic facies the tectono-sedimentological factors inherent in their evolu-
include the following: marine shale, lower shoreface, upper tion and deposition. Successful exploration and production
shoreface, channel sands, and channel heterolithics. Three ma- strategies are becoming increasingly dependent on the proper
jor stacking patterns were delineated and interpreted as application of the concepts of sequence stratigraphy and de-
Lowstand Systems Tract (LST), Highstand Systems Tract positional environment. Recent developments in sequence
(HST), and Trangressive Systems Tract (TST). Correlation stratigraphy (Van Wagoner et al. 1990; Posamentier and
reveals ten major stratigraphic bounding surfaces of various Allen 1999; Catuneanu 2002; Kendall 2008) offer a more
ages (five sequence boundaries and five maximum flooding definitive approach to stratigraphic interpretation of these stra-
surfaces) and four depositional sequences. Stratigraphic flat- ta. Sequence stratigraphic studies by Stacher (1995) and
tening of events at various ages indicates a shift of the depo- Reijers et al. (1997) revealed the combined influence of eu-
sitional center from north to south, aligning with the static cyclicity and local tectonics on the Tertiary stratigraphic
progradational pattern of deposition of the Niger Delta. The succession of the Niger Delta. Ozumba (1999) developed a
stratal package also thickens towards the south (basinwards). sequence stratigraphic framework for the western Niger Delta,
Generated paleobathymetric maps show generally that sedi- using foraminifera and wireline log data obtained from four
ments were deposited within neritic through bathyal environ- wells drilled in the Coastal and Central Swamp depobelts.
ments at different times. The EOD spans through incised can- Magbegbeola and Willis (2007) studied the Robertkiri field
yons, channels, inner- mid shelf, shelf margin, and slope mar- in the proximal side of the Coastal Swamp depobelt and di-
gin. A combination of the reservoir sands of the LST and HST vided the upper 2,700 m of the Agbada Formation into six,
and the shale units of the TST offers good stratigraphic traps fourth-order depositional sequences. These sequences were
for hydrocarbons and hence should be targeted during formed during episodic progradadation and retrogradation of
exploration. the delta shoreline.
The Niger Delta evolved as distinct subbasins (depobelts)
which succeeded each other in time and space. Sequence strat-
A. W. Mode (*)
Department of Geology, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of
igraphic study of the basin is therefore best approached on the
Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria basis of depobelts. The objective of the present study is to
e-mail: [email protected] establish a sequence stratigraphic framework for correlation
9816 Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827

and prediction of reservoir, seal, and source rocks in the east- (Stacher 1995). The Akata Formation is estimated to be up to
ern part of the Coastal Swamp depobelt (Fig. 1). 7,000 m thick in the zone of maximum subsidence overlying
the transition zone between oceanic and continental crust be-
low the delta (Doust and Omatsola 1990; Nwajide 2013). The
Geologic setting overlying Agbada Formation (Eocene–Recent) is a paralic
sequence characterized by interbedded sandstone and shale
The study area is located in the eastern part of the Coastal units and was deposited in a number of delta-front, delta-
Swamp depobelt of the Niger Delta basin (Fig. 1). The topset, and fluvio-deltaic environments (Reijers 1996). Shale
Tertiary Niger Delta covers an area of about 75,000 km2 and and sandstone beds were deposited in equal proportions in the
is composed of an overall regressive clastic sequence which lower Agbada Formation; however, the upper portion is most-
reaches a maximum thickness of 9,000 to 12,000 m (Weber ly sand with only minor shale interbeds (Tuttle et al. 1999).
and Daukoru 1975; Evamy et al. 1978) at the center of the The Agbada Formation is the hydrocarbon-prospective se-
basin. The evolution of the Niger Delta, which lies in the quence in the Niger Delta. It is widely variable in thickness
continental margin along the West Coast of equatorial across the delta with estimates ranging from 3,700 to 4,500 m
Africa, is controlled by pre- and synsedimentary tectonics as (Merki 1972; Weber and Daukoru 1975; Tuttle et al. 1999;
described by Allen (1965), Evamy et al. (1978) and Knox and Nwajide 2013). The Benin Formation (Eocene–Recent) is the
Omatsola (1989). The tectonic framework is controlled by topmost lithostratigraphic unit and consist of continental sands
Cretaceous fracture zones expressed as trenches and ridges and sandstones (>90 %) with few shale intercalations; it is up
in the deep Atlantic (Lehner and De Ruiter 1977). The sub- to 2,000 m in thickness (Avbovbo 1978). The stratigraphic
surface Niger Delta stratigraphic succession comprises of column showing the three formations of the Niger Delta is
three lithostratigraphic units (Akata, Agbada, and Benin for- shown in Fig. 2.
mations) which are strongly diachronous (Short and Stauble The Niger Delta clastic wedge comprises a series of
1967; Frankl and Cordry 1967; Avbovbo 1978). These units discrete depocenters or depobelts which were the main
are thick, complex sedimentary units deposited rapidly during belts of deposition that succeeded each other progres-
high-frequency, fluvio-deltaic-eustatic sea level oscillations. sively as the delta shifted its loci downdip through time.
The Akata Formation which occurs at the base of succession These depobelts which are 30–60 km wide prograde
is of marine origin and is composed of thick shale sequences, southwestward 250 km over the oceanic crust into the
turbidite sand, and minor amounts of clay and silt. The shales Gulf of Guinea (Stacher 1995) and are defined by
are characteristically under-compacted and overpressured. synsedimentary faulting that occurred in response to
Beginning in the Paleocene and through the Recent, the variable rates of subsidence and sediment supply
Akata Formation formed during lowstands when terrestrial (Doust and Omatsola 1990). The depobelts are charac-
organic matter and clays were transported to deep water areas terized as self-contained entities with respect to stratig-
characterized by low energy conditions and oxygen deficiency raphy, structure building, and hydrocarbons distribution

Fig. 1 Location map of the study area. a Location of the study area (inset) in Niger Delta along the west coast of Africa. b Map of the study area showing
oil and gas concession (blocks/fields) in the Eastern Coastal Swamp depobelt of the Niger Delta
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827 9817

Fig. 2 Stratigraphic column

showing the three formations of
the Niger Delta (After, Lawrence
et al. 2002)

(Evamy et al. 1978; Tuttle et al. 1999; Nwajide 2013). Methodology

The depobelts from the oldest to the youngest include
Northern Delta, Greater Ughelli, Central Swamp, The study area spans across nine fields which are named in
Coastal Swamp, and Offshore depobelts. The Northern this study as Enu, Omata, Mba, Aja, Uma, Iota, Eta, Yoma,
Delta, and Greater Ughelli depobelts which are charac- and Kappa (Fig. 1b). Conventional suites of well log data
terized by moderate subsidence rates (not greater than (Gamma Ray (GR), Neutron, Density, and Resistivity) from
700 m/My), formed before mid-Miocene and are situat- 24 wells were used for this study. Lithology (rock types such
ed over seaward dipping basement. The younger as sand, silt, or shale), system tracts, stratigraphic surfaces,
depobelts—Central Swamp, Coastal Swamp, and and genetic facies (belonging to distinct depositional environ-
Offshore depobelts formed after the Middle Miocene, ments) were defined using Petrel software tool. This tool used
are situated over the landward dipping oceanic litho- interactive-based syntaxes containing wireline log values and
sphere. They are characterized by relatively high subsi- stratigraphic data as key inputs in defining rock types and
dence rates ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 m/My stratigraphic correlation. Also, ArcGIS and ArcMap 10 soft-
(Nwajide 2013). ware tools were used in generating the base and
9818 Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827

Fig. 3 Niger Delta chronostratigraphic chart showing the geologic interval of the study area (Source: Shell 2010)
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827 9819

Fig. 4 a Well log sequence stratigraphic correlation panel across Iota Zone = Palynological Zone; F-Zone = Foraminiferal Zone. b Genetic
wells showing the representative data/tools provided for the study. (ab- facies in some selected wells across the study area. (The lithologic (sand,
breviations: Paleobathymetry: INDET = In-determinant; B =Barren; CD silt, and mudrocks) profiles are derived from gamma ray log values and
= Coastal Deltaic; PFM = Proximal Fluvial Marine; SHIN = Shallow signatures). Bell-shaped log patterns on gamma ray logs indicating fining
Marine-to-Inner Neritic; IN = Inner Neritic; IN-MN = Inner Neritic-to- upward trends or an upward increase in gamma ray value is a typical
Middle Neritic; MN = Middle Neritic; MN-ON = Middle Neritic-to-Outer feature of fluvial channel deposits. Funnel-shaped log patterns indicating
Neritic. System Tract: LST = Lowstand System Tract; TST = Transgres- coarsening upward trend, clearly showed deltaic progradation. Cylindri-
sive System Tract; HST = Highstand System Tract. Stratigraphic Surface: cal (blocky or boxcar) log motif are on thick uniformly graded coarse
MFS = Maximum Flooding Surface; SB = Sequence Boundary; TLS/TSE grained sandstone unit, probably deposits of braided channel, tidal chan-
= Top of Lowstand/Transgressive Surface Erosion. Zonation Scheme: P- nel deposits (Emery and Myers 1996 for details))
9820 Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827

Fig. 4 (continued)

paleobathymetric maps in this study. Biostratigraphic data The stacking patterns encountered gave insight to systems
comprising of interpreted Palynological (P) zone, tract (Lowstand Systems Tracts (LST), Transgressive
Foraminifera (F) zone, and paleobathymetric data were cali- Systems Tract (TST), and Highstand System Tracts (HST))
brated and depth matched with corresponding wireline logs interpretation (Van Wagoner et al. 1990).
using the Niger Delta chronostratigraphic chart (Fig. 3). The
population and diversity of the benthic and planktonic forami-
nifera were used for stratigraphic surfaces (maximum flooding Results and interpretations
surfaces (MFSs) and sequence boundaries (SBs)) interpreta-
tion. The delineated surfaces (MFSs and SBs) were dated with Genetic facies Six main genetic facies were identified: marine
markers in P and F zones. The well logs were then displayed at shale, lower shoreface, upper shoreface, tidal channel, chan-
consistent scales to enhance log motifs/trends and also to aid nel, and channel heterolithics (Fig. 4b). The marine shales are
recognition of genetic facies, stratal stacking patterns highly correlatable, varying in thickness from a few feet to
(progradation, retrogradation, and aggradation), and se- over hundreds of feet. The lower shoreface units are generally
quences (Emery and Myers 1996; Kendall 2003) (Fig. 4a). laterally extensive with good continuity and transition to
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827 9821

Fig. 5 Well log sequence stratigraphic interpretation and correlation faults and minor faults structures, respectively) represent possible faulting
showing major depositional sequences (SEQ1–SEQ4) across the during sedimentation, which shows downthrown of sediment package to
studied wells (indicated by shades of colors). F′ and F (major bounding the southern part

marine shale basinward and upper shoreface units landward. to lower shoreface basinward. Channel fills are characterized
Upper shoreface deposits are clean sand facies; they show a by log signatures similar to that of upper shoreface facies; the
gradational change from lower shoreface to clean sand facies. key difference being that channel facies has a blocky or fining
The upper shoreface units also have good lateral continuity up signature whereas upper shoreface deposits have a coars-
(except where channel incision has occurred) with transition ening up signature. Channels are often positioned on top of

Fig. 6 Well log sequence stratigraphic interpretation and correlation showing major systems tract (LST, TST, and HST) across the studied wells
9822 Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827

Fig. 7 a 11.5 Ma_MFS: Depocenter mainly in the northern part, with after 10.4 Ma in the southern part. c 9.5Ma_MFS Depocenter shift from
incipient deposition in the central part during 11.5 Ma. b 10.4Ma_MFS northern part before 9.5 Ma to southern after 9.5 Ma
Depocenter within central part and incipient deposition during 10.4 Ma

shoreface facies but can completely erode the shoreface and stratigraphic column is generally dipping in a north-south/
even the underlying shale. With prolonged channelization, northeast-southwest direction and striking in the east–west
multi-story channels build up where the lateral migration of direction. The occurrence of the identified chronostratigraphic
channels forms a channel sheet. Channel heterolithics can on- surfaces at different depths along dip and strike directions in
ly be interpreted within channel fill as no distinct log signature the wells shows evidence of tectonics (faulting) in the fields.
characterizes this facies on its own. Facies defined as channel Hence, the sediments are thinner in the up-dip (northeast)
heterolithics generally represent intervals 5–10 ft thick that are section and thicken down-dip (southwest) with a correspond-
often towards the top of a channel sequence and are limited in ing decrease in net-to gross (Fig. 5). This thickening of sedi-
lateral extent. ment package down-dip could be attributed to the high rate of
subsidence and deposition that is influenced by structures on
Well log sequence stratigraphic correlation Well log se- stratigraphy. Generally, sediment package thickens on the
quence stratigraphic correlation was done to determine lateral down thrown section of the major listric/growth fault which
continuity or discontinuity of facies and system tracts, hence characterizes the area in basinward directions (N–S).
aiding reservoir seal studies. The correlation across the fields There seem to be an anomaly to the observed trend of
shows that the main reservoirs (the sand package of the basinwards net-to-gross decrease of sediment package within
lowstand systems tract and highstand systems tract) are within the central part (Omata-Mba area). This is probably due to in-
the sequences from 8.5 to 12.1 Ma. In addition, the filling of exposed channels and incised valleys with marine
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827 9823

Table 1 Summary sheet of delineated MFS, marker fauna, and biozone of the studied wells

Wells Depth (ft) MFS age (Ma) Marker fauna Biozones

P-zone F-zone

ENU-001 6,680 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600

9,350 12.8 Ser-2-Cassidulina P680 F9300/9500
ENU-002 7,000 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
9,500 12.8 Ser-2-Cassidulina P680 F9300/9500
OMATA-002 8,050 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
10,700 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
OMATA-004 7,200 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
10,200 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
OMATA-013 11,050 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
OMATA-048 12,575 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
8,440 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
9,450 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
AJA-002 4,650 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
6,850 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
10,100 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
AJA-003 4,320 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
7,600 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
10,800 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
AJA-007 4,750 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
7,450 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
10,300 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
UMA-001 5,775 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
8,850 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
UMA-002 8,800 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
10,450 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
UMA-006 5,350 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
8,400 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
IOTA-002 8,375 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
10,500 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
13,300 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
IOTA-009 8,200 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
10,550 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
13,350 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
MBA-001 7,150 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
10,050 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
MBA-015 7,300 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
9,700 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
13,650 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
MBA-033 8,700 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
10,450 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
13,350 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600
ETA-001 8,200 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
9,850 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
ETA-002 5,500 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
9,800 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
ETA-004 8,200 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
11,150 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
9824 Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827

Table 1 (continued)

Wells Depth (ft) MFS age (Ma) Marker fauna Biozones

P-zone F-zone

13,900 11.5 Ser-3-Dodo Shale P770 F9500/9600

YOMA CREEK-001 6,400 7.4 Tor-2 P830 F9700
8,700 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
13,100 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
YOMA CREEK-002 6,550 7.4 Tor-2 P830 F9700
9,100 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
11,950 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
YOMA CREEK-006 7,300 7.4 Tor-2 P830 F9700
9,200 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
11,600 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
KAPPA-002 7,150 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
9,720 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600
KAPPA-006 8,080 9.5 Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 P820 F9600
9,600 10.4 Tor-Nonion-4 P780 F9600

muds (mud-filled channel complex) at the shelf edge, accom- based on their relative positions in the stratigraphic sections
panying major transgressive events (Fig. 6). Sedimentary (Figs. 5, 6, 7 and Table 2). Identified transgressive surfaces
packages also thicken from the northern section to the south- of erosion lie close to the sequence boundaries marking abrupt
ern section. The flattening at various MFS(s) reveals a shift of changes from progradational facies to retrogradational facies
depocenter from northern section towards the southern which and substantially causing diminution of sand thickness depos-
is a typical scenario of the progradational pattern in the Niger ited during relative sea level fall.
Delta (Fig. 7a–c). The well correlation across various fields
and delineated bounding surfaces (Surface of Erosion-SB and Depositional sequence Four depositional sequences (SEQ1,
flooding surfaces-MFS) and the depth at which they occur in SEQ2, SEQ3, and SEQ4) and the component systems tracts
the wells are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Generally, five were interpreted and correlated across the fields based on log-
SBs and five intervening MFSs were delineated. motifs of the various wells and the spatial distribution of the
recognized constrained stratigraphic surfaces (MFSs and SBs)
Maximum flooding surfaces The maximum flooding surfaces (Fig. 5). The first sequence (SEQ1) is an incomplete sequence,
identified in the study area include the following: 12.8 Ma which is about 2,600 ft thick and is bounded top and bottom
MFS (Ser-2-Cassidulina-7 marker), 11.5 Ma MFS (Ser-3- by 12.1 and 13.1 Ma sequence boundaries, respectively. The
Dodo Shale-7 marker), 10.4 Ma MFS (Tor-Nonion-4 marker), 12.1 Ma SB bounding the top is seen only in wells Enu-001
9.5 Ma MFS (Tor-1-Uvigerina-8 marker), and 7.4 Ma MFS and Enu-002 (Table 2) that penetrated deeper stratigraphic
(Tor-2 marker). The five MFSs beginning from the oldest to sections across the field. The LST sands are interpreted as
the youngest occur within the following biozones: P680 and shoreface sands deposited in the shelf region during rising
F9300/9500 (12.8 Ma MFS), P780 and F9600 (11.5 Ma and sea levels. The TST unit of this sequence is capped by the
10.4 Ma MFSs), P820 and F9600 (9.5 Ma MFs), and P830 12.8 Ma MFS marker (Ser-2-Cassidulina 7). The HST is de-
and F9700 (7.4 Ma MFS) (Figs. 5, 6, 7 and Table 1). posited in the inner-middle neritic (IN-MN) setting depicting
mainly progradational-retrogradational stacking patterns.
Sequence boundary The oldest sequence boundary identified The second sequence (SEQ2) is approximately 2,800 ft
in the fields was dated 13.1 Ma. The surface represents a sub- thick and is bounded top and bottom by 10.6 and 12.1 Ma
stantial erosional surface defined before the 12.8 Ma MFS. The Sequence Boundaries, respectively. The LST and TST of this
13.1 Ma SB is overlain in the down dip section by a relatively sequence formed thick sand deposits interpreted as upper
thick and sharp-based sand unit identified as incised valley fill shoreface deposited in the shallow marine to inner neritic
and in the up dip areas by sharp-top facies of the uppermost (SHIN) depositional settings. The LST is barren in faunal
prograding highstand parasequence. Other sequence bound- contents in most wells and overlies the 12.1 Ma SB. This is
aries are dated 12.1, 10.6, 10.35, and 8.5 Ma, respectively, capped by 11.5 Ma MFS marker (Ser-3-Dodo Shale 7).
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827 9825

Table 2 Summary sheet of delineated SBs within the studied wells Table 2 (continued)

Wells Depth (ft) SB age (Ma) Depositional Wells Depth (ft) SB age (Ma) Depositional
sequences sequences

ENU-001 7,400 12.1 SEQ1 KAPPA-006 7,600 8.5 SEQ3

9,800 13.1 8,750 10.35 SEQ
ENU-002 7,400 12.1 10,800 10.6
9,950 13.1
OMATA-002 7,525 10.35 SEQ3
9,025 10.6
OMATA-004 6,750 10.35
8,100 10.6
The third sequence (SEQ3) is approximately 2,500 ft thick
OMATA-013 10,600 10.35
and it is bounded top and bottom by the 10.35 Ma SB and the
11,775 10.6
10.6-Ma SB, respectively. The sequence displayed predomi-
OMATA-048 8,900 10.35 SEQ4
nantly fluvial and tidal processes (progradational stacking pat-
AJA-002 6,100 10.35 SEQ3
7,450 10.6 tern) as shown in the parasequence stacking pattern of the
AJA-003 6,000 10.35
wells in the western part of the study area (Omata, Aja,
8,750 10.6
Uma, Iota, Mba fields). The LST of this sequence contains
AJA-007 6,450 10.35
reworked channel sand deposits which are more pronounced
in the down dip wells and some predominantly mud fill chan-
8,300 10.6
nels. The TST of this sequence is capped by the 10.4 Ma MFS
UMA-001 7,700 10.35
(Tor-Nonion-4) marker.
10,250 10.6
Sequence Four (SEQ4), which is approximately 2,000 ft
UMA-002 7,750 10.35 SEQ2
9,950 10.6 thick, is an incomplete sequence. It is the topmost/youngest
SEQ3
11,600 12.1 sequence in the study area. It is bounded by the 8.5 and
UMA-006 7,000 10.35 SEQ2 10.35 Ma SB, respectively. The sequence was deposited with-
9,800 10.6 SEQ3 in the inner to middle neritic paleo-depositional environment.
IOTA-002 10,150 10.35 The TST of this sequence is capped by 9.5 Ma MFS (Tor-1-
11,850 10.6 Uvigerina-8) marker.
14,100 12.1
IOTA-009 10,150 10.35 SEQ3 Depositional environment Paleobathymetric maps for the
11,950 10.6 four regional and time significant horizons were gener-
MBA-001 8,700 10.35 SEQ4 ated with information from biostratigraphic data and in-
MBA-015 8,300 10.35 SEQ3 terpretation of well log signatures, which are indicative
10,950 10.6 of depositional environment. Generally, sediments are
MBA-033 9,250 10.35 deposited within neritic to bathyal environments at dif-
11,850 10.6 ferent times, aligning with the progradational pattern of
ETA-001 9,250 10.35 deposition of the Niger Delta. Some biofacies are diag-
10,850 10.6 nostic of different depositional environments. These
ETA-002 8,000 10.35 were studied and their spatial distributions on these ho-
11,850 10.6 rizon surfaces were used to subdivide the area into dif-
ETA-004 9,400 10.35 ferent depositional environments (Fig. 8a–c). The ob-
12,600 10.6 served depositional environments appear to have been
YOMA CREEK-001 8,350 8.5 SEQ4 consistently fluvial to shallow marine (shallow-inner ne-
11,150 10.35 ritic, inner neritic-middle, and outer neritic) environ-
YOMA CREEK-002 7,350 8.5 SEQ3 ments (mainly pro-delta) with isolated coastal deltaic
10,600 10.35 SEQ4 and proximal fluvial influence. The environment of de-
13,000 10.6 position spans through incised canyons, channels, inner
YOMA CREEK-006 8,500 10.35 mid shelf, shelf margin, and slope margin. Generally,
10,500 10.6 the depositional environment and paleobathymetric maps
KAPPA-002 8,500 8.5 SEQ3 show basinwards deepening which is suggestive of
8,650 10.35 SEQ4 progradation, in conformity with the geology of the
10,300 10.6
Niger Delta.
9826 Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827

Fig. 8 The paleobathymetric maps at various ages showing the depositional environments across the study area. a Paleobathymetric maps at 9.5 Ma
MFS; b paleobathymetric maps at 10.4 Ma MFS; c paleobathymetric maps at 11.5 Ma MFS and d paleobathymetric maps at 12.8 Ma MFS

Discussion and conclusion ray value intervals that separates overall fining-upward inter-
val from coarsening-upwards intervals, and high abundances
In the study area, four third-order depositional sequences and diversity of microfossils (see Fig. 4a.). Successively
(SEQ1, SEQ2, SEQ3, and SEQ4) of mid-Miocene age bound- younger systems tracts and depositional sequences are on
ed chronologically by 13.1, 12.1, 10.6, 10.35, and 8.5 Ma the average thinner vertically, but laterally, the stratal
SB—type 1 sequence boundaries (Van Wagoner et al. 1990) package thickens basinwards (Figs. 5 and 6). Other
were recognized. Five MFSs including 12.8, 11.5, 10.4, 9.5, workers have also documented upward thinning of se-
and 7.4 Ma MFS occur within the stratal package. The SBs are quences and basinwards thickening of the stratal package
characterized by sizeable sand unit defined in well log by in the Niger Delta (Ozumba 1999; Magbagbeola and
abrupt and sharp bases of thick low gamma ray value intervals Willis 2007). Studies also revealed that depocenter has
usually separating coarsening-upwards intervals from fining- shifted from the northern section towards the southern in
upwards intervals (Fig. 4a). The MFSs are characterized by time (Ma) and space. This is a typical scenario of the
thick and extensive shale units defined by thick high gamma progradational pattern in the Niger Delta (Fig. 7a–c).
Arab J Geosci (2015) 8:9815–9827 9827

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