Stratigraphy, depositional history and environments of deposition of Cretaceous through Tertiary strata in the Lamu Basin, southeast Kenya and implications for reservoirs for hydrocarbon exploration

Abstract

The Lamu Basin, which is characterized by an extensional tectonic style, is the failed arm of a tri-radial rift system and possesses tectonic and stratigraphic elements in the post-rift series that are analogous to those of the west coast of Africa. Development of the southern part of the basin as a passive margin, is closely related to considerations of the pre-drift position of Madagascar and formation of the Indian Ocean basin during Mesozoic time. Cretaceous and Tertiary strata in the basin comprise an eastward-thickening gross succession of sediments on which eustatic sea-level fluctuations and a sequence of unconformities related to pulses of transgressive and regressive depositional trends, are superimposed. Recognition of these trends has provided the basis for classification of the strata into megasequences representing distinct provinces with regard to time stratigraphy, sedimentation, tectonics, depositional environments and hydrocarbon potential. Megasequence I (Karoo Group and Jurassic) includes strata of the Permian through Jurassic, the discussion of which is beyond the scope of this paper. Megasequence II (Sabaki Group) includes strata of the Cretaceous and Early Paleocene, deposited in tide-influenced shelf and marine settings. These are, in ascending order: the Ewaso Sands, the Walu Shale, the Hagarso Limestone, the Freretown Limestone and the Kofia Sands. Megasequence III (Tana Group) includes strata of the Eocene through Oligocene, which were deposited in fluvial, deltaic, and restricted-shelf settings. These are, in ascending order: the Kipini Formation, the Pate Limestone, the Linderina Limestone, the Dodori Limestone and the Barren Beds Formation. Megasequence IV (Coastal Group) includes strata of the Miocene through Pliocene, which were deposited in restricted-shelf, middle- to outer-shelf, deep-marine and fluvial settings. These are, in ascending order: the Baratumu Formation, the Lamu Reefs, the Simba Shales and the Marafa Formation. Determination and description of these lithostratigraphic units, their distribution and palaeohistory have been imperative for predicting reservoirs for hydrocarbon exploration.