Seismic-stratigraphic analysis and depositional architecture of the Cenozoic Kribi-Campo sub-basin offshore deposits (Cameroon): Seismic attributes approach and implication for the hydrocarbon prospectivity

Abstract

The offshore deposits were formed the main part of the Kribi-Campo sub-basin, which is one of the three Cameroonian coastal margin basins formed during the progressive opening of the South Atlantic margin. Determination of the seismic facies and their architecture in seismic units are lacking in the Kribi-Campo sub-basin and calibration of the stratigraphic unit and the hydrocarbon prospectivity of Cenozoic offshore deposits remains unclear. Therefore, the seismic stratigraphic unit, data from five boreholes, and seismic attributes of 2D seismic data were analysed to determine the seismic stratigraphic distribution, the paleoenvironment evolution, and to assess the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the Cenozoic offshore deposits of the Kribi-Campo sub-basin. Five main seismic facies include parallel to subparallel, hummocky, chaotic, sigmoidal, and oblique, and four major seismic stratigraphic units SSU1, SSU2, SSU3, and SSU4 have been identified. The seismic stratigraphic unit has been divided into five major unconformities dated Upper Paleocene, Lower Eocene, Middle Miocene, Upper Miocene, and Pliocene to Pleistocene. The depositional environments evolve from delta to prograding continental shelves, both influenced by high and low energy processes, controlled by relative sea-level change. The offlap-breaks in the SSU4 seismic unit show the presence of both the Low Stand Systems Tract (LST) or Shelf Margin Systems Tract, and retrograding Transgressive Systems Tract (TST). The presence of potential source rocks, reservoirs, seals, and structural and stratigraphic traps throughout the studied seismic intervals highlight the prospective nature for oil and gas exploration within the offshore Cenozoic of the Kribi-Campo sub-basin.