Palynostratigraphy of the Paleocene-Eocene Shallow marine petroleum source rock sections, outcropping in Missole, Nkapa Formation, Douala/Kribi- Campo Basin, Cameroon

Abstract

Palynological content and organic petrography of some fine grained, dark-gray to black sedimentary sections, exposed in Missole, Douala/Kribi-Campo Basin, were studied, to determine the age, reconstruct their paleo-depositional environments and characterize the organic matter type of these potential petroleum source rocks. Standard laboratory methods to recover dispersed organic matter and palynomorphs, transmitted light microscopy for thin-sections and strew mounts, were performed on fractions of each sample collected. Palynological analysis, revealed a Paleocene-Eocene assemblage of palynomorphs, dominated by sporomorphs of land plant derivatives in association with dinoflagellates cysts and foraminifera linings of marine origin, indicative of a nearshore/shallow marine paleo-depositional environment, with a greater influx of continental debris. The organic matter revealed Kerogen Types-II, III and IV, confirming an admixture of sapropelic and humic organic matters, deposited in a nearshore/shallow marine environment. The Kerogen types supported the reconstruction of the depositional environment, and revealed that the rocks contain good quality organic matter which if under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions, will or could have produced oil/gas. As part of an on-going research project to investigate the hydrocarbon potential of this onshore part of the basin, the present work aims at providing a quick and firsthand data, required in the current search for the basin’s petroleum resources.