Source Rock Prediction Using Well Log and Seismic Data: A Study of the Albian Stage in the Côte d’Ivoire Basin

Abstract

The Côte d’Ivoire Basin is one of the most important oil production areas in Africa; and it is also the focus of global oil and gas exploration, but the degree of oil exploration and development in this basin are still in the early stages. Based on a comprehensive analysis of drilling, logging, and geochemical data in the Côte d’Ivoire Basin, this study comprehensively evaluates the Cretaceous lacustrine source rocks in the study area, establishes a total organic carbon (TOC) quantitative prediction model by using the total organic carbon method, determines the relationship between seismic reflections and the geochemical characteristics of the source rocks, and tracks the main source rocks horizontally. The results show that the TOC of the Lower Cretaceous Albian stage source rocks is 2.63 wt.%, the kerogen type II is dominant, and the vitrinite reflectance (RO) ranges from 0.3% to 0.9%. The source rocks are mainly in the low-mature to mature stage, and they are generally of good and premium quality. The distribution range of high-quality source rocks with TOC values of 4.00~5.00% is predicted using the total organic carbon method, and useing the seismic method, we determine that high-quality source rocks with larger thickness values and better continuity are mainly developed in the eastern depression center of the basin.