A study of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion of the Nkporo Shales in Anambra Basin, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is a contribution to our understanding of the hydrocarbon potentials of the Nkporo Shale in the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. The main objective was to simulate the hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in the Nkporo source horizons encountered in Igbariam-1, Iji-1, and Ajire-1 wells drilled in the basin, using the one-dimensional Genesis Zetaware basin modeling software. This software enabled the integration of burial and thermal influences on Nkporo source rocks with kinetic parameters, in order to define the timing of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion in relation to the main structural episodes in the basin. The Nkporo source horizons encountered in Igbariam-1 well (2,650 m) has not expelled hydrocarbons but has a remaining potential of 380 mg/gTOC. Conversely, in Iji-1 well (3,450 m) and Ajire-1 well (3,250 m), the Nkporo source rocks expelled oil of about 110–127 mg/gTOC and gas of about 85–125 mg/gTOC. The time of expulsion was in Eocene–Oligocene (51–30 My) at the rate of 10.5–11.5 mg/gTOC/My. The remaining potentials for Nkporo source rocks in Iji-1 and Ajire-1 wells are 160 and 125 mg/gTOC, respectively. The result shows an increasing trend in maturation, generation, and expulsion of hydrocarbons with increasing depth towards the southwestern part of the basin. This resulted in an increase in the generated hydrocarbon volumes to the south due to (a) increased burial depth and early maturation and (b) changing source lithofacies—more marine. The fault system linking potential reservoirs such as Owelli Sandstone to the source rock suggests a possible migration of the generated hydrocarbons to those reservoirs at that time.