Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Open Access

Abstract

Intergrated Seismic Stratigraphic and Structural Analysis of the Songo Songo Gas-Field, Shallow Offshore Tanzania, Using Seismic and Well Data

Rachel Angelo S, Olugbenga Ehinola, Cassy Mtelela and Edwin Ayuk N

Seismic stratigraphy and structural analysis of seismic data, when combined with wireline data, provides vital information for hydrocarbon exploration in a prospective basin. These techniques were employed in the Songo Songo shallow coastal basin, southern Tanzania to determine stratigraphic setting, trapping mechanism, reservoirs zones. Suites of well logs from two wells (AA-1 and BB-5) and 2-D seismic data was obtained from TPDC in the study area. Lithologic interpretation and well correlation were carried out using the well log suites. Stratigraphic analysis was carried out with the well logs and 2D seismic data by using principles of sequence stratigraphy while structural interpretation was done with aid of the seismic data to produce polar plots for the different structural trends. The lithology was dominated by sand, shale, and limestone. Five sequence boundaries (SB); SB1 (Albian), SB2 (base of Coniacian-Early Campanian), SB3, (Middle Eocene), SB4 (Late Miocene) and SB5 (Quaternary)) and three maximum flooding surfaces (MFS); MFS1-(Early Cretaceous), MFS2, (Late Cretaceous), MFS3-(Early Eocene) were identified. Three main normal faulting systems (Jurassic faults, active during the Jurassic rifting phase of Madagascar, Neogene faults that occurred during Neogene east African rifting and reactivated faults which mostly were Jurassic fault reactivated by east African rifting) of NNW-SSE were recognized in the study area. The structural interpretation reveal that the gas field is dominated by normal faults that occur in the upper and lower part of Songo Songo suggesting two phases of deformation prior to development of the field. The main reservoir is developed in the Neocomian and Albian sandstones, and capped by Jurassic faults and Wami (Formation) overlying rocks. The gas is sourced from Jurassic shale known as Mtumbei Formation and stored at the main reservoir developed in the Lower Cretaceous aged Neocomian sandstone known as Kipatimu Formation, sealed by high pressured shale of upper Cretaceous known as Wami Formation. This study shows that deposition of sediment occurs in the NW – SE direction, with the thinning of sediments thickness towards well BB-5 while the stratigraphic sections show that the horizons are laterally continuous and are being strongly affected by tectonic events.