Palynological and Paleoclimatic Conditions of the Sediments Penetrated by Sahaiawei-1 Well in the Northern Delta Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin

Abstract

Palynological and paleoclimatic conditions of the sediments penetrated by Sahaiawei-1 Well in the Northern Delta Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin was investgated with the aim of establishing a palynological biozonation, age and the paleoclimatic conditions the sediments were formed. The palynological study was carried out on fifty (50) ditch cutting samples of shaly and sandy shale lithologies at different intervals between 1800ft to 10680ft. This study allowed the recovery of seven hundred and fifty seven (757) palynomorphs which includes six hundred and eighty nine (689) miospores, eighteen (18) dinocysts and fifty (50) ancillary microfossils. Four (4) palynological zones were established using palynological characteristic of the age diagnostic index markers. The palynological zones established are the P480, P470, P450 and lumped P430-P330 Zones. The age of the sediments penetrated by the well using the age diagnostic markers range from Late Maastrichtian to Late Eocene. Based on the dominance of Zonocostites ramonae over Monoporites annnulatus, it showed that from depth 1800ft to 5280ft the count of Zonocostites ramonae is generally higher than that of Monoporites annulatus suggesting a predominantly humid climate and the sediment during this period was deposited in cooler and wetter condition. Within 5280ft to 5520ft, the amount of Monoporites annulatus is higher than Zonocostites ramonae suggesting warm climatic condition. Between 5520ft to 6000ft suggests a humid climate. Below this depth 6000ft, the climatic condition was not ascertained because there were no paleoclimatic indicators.

Publication Info:

Author: Kiamuke, I. , Adebayo, L.F. and Rorome, O.

Volume: 57

Issue: March

Published By: Journal of Mining and Geology, 2024-03-01