Petroleum Potential of NW-Kenya Rift Basins - By B.K. Rop
Petroleum Potential of NW-Kenya Rift Basins: A Synopsis of Evidence and IssuesBy Bernard Kipsang Rop, Ph.D. (Reg. Geol.)
Geofountain Synergy Consultancy - P.O. Box 7702 – 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
ABSTRACT: The petroleum synoptic research work gives an overview subsurface stratigraphy of northwestern Kenya rift basins. The basins evolved through extension tectonics that brought out continental rifting as a part of the major Gondwanaland breakup in the Late Paleozoic time, and continued in the Mesozoic and Tertiary. This movement was accompanied by a stupendous outpouring of the lava flows. The gravity anomaly maps and seismic profiles were most useful for the interpretations incorporated in this paper which revealed the presence of several horsts and grabens structural systems. It was also revealed that the basins attracted potential petroliferous sedimentary piles (~2000 – 5000 m thick) which were deposited on basement rocks of Precambrian age and later got covered by basaltic flows of mainly Miocene age. The drill core lithologs were available pertaining to wells: LT-1 and LT-2 in the Lokichar and North Kerio-Turkana basin systems (Tertiary) and C1, C2 and C3 in the Chalbi basin (Cretaceous). The northwestern Lotikipi basin (Cretaceous?) has not yet been drilled. Comparing the lithologs from these wells, the strata in which there was oil and/or gas indications was further characterised in the light of the organic matter and other sedimentological parameters in order to understand the source‐reservoir‐seal rocks which are favourable targets for future petroleum exploration.
Key Words: source rocks, hydrocarbons, petroleum, exploration, gravity, seismic.
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