Abstract
The aeromagnetic data of Otukpo (sheet 270) and Ejekwe (sheet 289) areas of the lower Benue Trough of Nigeria were interpreted quantitatively. The quantitative interpretation employed spectral analysis technique with the aim of locating specific basement depths to buried magnetic source rocks in the study area. First order polynomial fitting was adopted for regional-residual separation of the total magnetic intensity (TMI) map. The result of the spectral analysis indicates two depth source models; with depths to the deep sources varying from 2546.5 to 4177.3 m, having an average depth of 3058 m; while the depths to the shallow magnetic sources vary from 309.4 to 762.5 m, with an average depth of 527 m. The Otukpo area has greater sediment thickness capable of hydrocarbon accumulation than the Ejekwe area. This is supported by the presence of many intrusions at the Ejekwe area, with large lateral extents, indicative of over mature source rocks. Keywords: Aeromagnetic data, spectral analysis, basement depths, hydrocarbon potential.
Highlights
The search for mineral deposits and hydrocarbons has remained a major business challenge in Nigeria
We present the variation of basement depths as determined from a two-dimensional spectral analysis of the aeromagnetic data over Otukpo and Ejekwe areas of the Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria
Two digitized aeromagnetic maps covering Otukpo and Ejekwe areas were acquired from the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) which undertook the aeromagnetic survey of substantial part of Nigeria between 1974 and 2008
Summary
The search for mineral deposits and hydrocarbons has remained a major business challenge in Nigeria. As the hydrocarbon reserves of the prolific Niger delta of Nigeria continuously get depleted due to continuous exploitation, coupled with youth restiveness in the area leading to cut in oil production, attention has shifted to other basins in Nigeria. The study area lies within the Lower Benue Trough of the Anambra basin. Intense geological investigations have been carried out in this region at different times in search of mineral deposits (Uzuakpunwa, 1974; Olade, 1975; Hoque, 1984). Not much detailed geophysical investigations have been carried out in this part of Benue Trough for hydrocarbon occurrence.
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