Application of Ground and Aeromagnetics as Reconnaissance Tool for Hydrocarbon Exploration in Part of Ikom Embayment and Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria

Abstract

In addition to ground magnetic survey carried out in the study area to appraise its hydrocarbon potentials, three aeromagnetic maps on a scale 1:100,000 covering part of Ikom Embayment and Lower Benue Trough were manually digitized and analysed using computer-based programmes such as HDEP, SURFIT, MFINITE, MFFILTER, MFDESIGN, JMERGER, FRTP, PC CONTOUR, P2 GRID, OASIS MONTAJ, GEOCON AND SURFER 9.0 to determine the depth to basement as well as the configuration of the sub-basins within the study area. The average depth of the shallow and deep basins is 1.5Km and 2.5Km respectively with Nkum axis of the Ikom Embayment having the thickest sediments (about 4.0Km). The presence of few intrusives, thick pile of sediments and faults around Nkum- Edor area of Ikom Embayment indicates that they may have good prospects for hydrocarbon accumulation.