Seismic stratigraphy and depositional architecture of Neogene intraslope basins, offshore western Niger Delta

Pliocene and Pleistocene stratigraphic evolution of the western Niger Delta intraslope basins: A record of glacio-eustatic sea-level and basin tectonic forcings

“…The distribution of shale/thrust-cored structures on the western Niger Delta slope significantly controls the morphology of submarine channels, depositional patterns, reservoir architecture and distribution (e.g. Adeogba et al, 2005;Bakare et al, 2007;Jobe et al, 2015Jobe et al, , 2016Clark and Cartwright, 2012;Deptuck et al, 2012;Prather et al, 2012;Jolly et al, 2016;Hansen et al, 2017;Chima et al, 2019). The present study was conducted in the translational zone of the western Niger Delta slope at the transition between the extensional and the contractional domains (Fig.…”

“…1D, E). The western Niger Delta slope is in constant dynamic equilibrium as the movements of mobile shale create structural highs which, in turn, are smoothed by sediment-gravity flows that preferentially accumulate within adjacent intraslope basins (Deptuck et al, 2003;Adeogba et al, 2005;Bakare et al, 2007;Prather et al, 2012;Clark and Cartwright, 2012;Chima et al, 2019; Fig. 1D, E).…”

“…2;7 and 9B of Chima et al, 2019). The most recent available biostratigraphic dating corresponds to the late Messinian (circa 5.5 Ma), based on the last recorded occurrence of Discoaster quinqueramus (see Chima et al, 2019).…”

“…We applied the 3D seismic geomorphological analysis technique described by Posamentier and Kolla (2003) and Catuneanu (2006) for our detailed study of the depositional environments corresponding to the seismic facies described above. This was achieved by detailed analysis of root mean square (RMS) seismic amplitudes, that makes it possible to distinguish lithological and depositional environments (see Chima et al, 2019;and references therein). Analyses of the RMS amplitudes were combined with variance seismic attributes to guide the geological interpretation of the seismic data (Chopra and Mafort, 2007;Taner et al;1994;Chima et al, 2019).…”

“…This was achieved by detailed analysis of root mean square (RMS) seismic amplitudes, that makes it possible to distinguish lithological and depositional environments (see Chima et al, 2019;and references therein). Analyses of the RMS amplitudes were combined with variance seismic attributes to guide the geological interpretation of the seismic data (Chopra and Mafort, 2007;Taner et al;1994;Chima et al, 2019). Three (3D) seismic geomorphological analyses enabled the detailed study of the space-time evolution of the Pliocene and the Pleistocene sedimentary records.…”