Assessing the Hydrocarbon Prospectivity in the Nigeria Offshore West Delta Using Seismic Volume and Well Log Data

Abstract

Evaluation of Z-Field prospect located in the western Niger Delta at a shallow water depth of about 100m was carried out using 3-D seismic and well data. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the target bed (R01A reservoir) using checkshot, seismic and well log data. Results of the structural interpretation revealed extensional tectonics characterized by rollover structures which are bounded by regional and counter-regional listric (growth) normal faults. These structural features are associated with normal deltaic progradation and are conspicuous throughout the whole delta province. A key finding of this study is that subsurface structures in the study area lack closure to accumulate hydrocarbon. This is attributed to the small throw of faults relative to sand thickness, causing a significant sand to sand juxtaposition across faults. Consequently, the R01A reservoir is interpreted as wet sand. A lack of amplitude coherence with structure provided additional validation of the interpreted wet sand scenario and above all, increased our confidence on the result.

Keywords: prospect evaluation, seismic and well log data, Niger Delta, structural interpretation, faults, horizons

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-10-06

Publication date:October 31^st 2019