Tectono-Stratigraphy of Benin Basin, West Africa

This study presents the tectono-stratigraphic analysis of part of the rift-Benin basin. Datasets from both seismic and biostratigraphy were integrated to identify sequences and structural elements present in the field. Key objectives of the study include: reconstruction of the depositional history of the area using seismic-stratigraphic principles, to identify sequences and structural elements that possess potentials for hydrocarbon entrapment.  The seismic-stratigraphic method was adopted to delineate key chronostratigraphic surfaces in the study area which are relevant to hydrocarbon accumulation. Four mega-sequences identified in the study area include: Albian sequence, the Cenomanian-Coniancian, the Campanian – Maastrichtian and Paleocene-Neogene sequences. The Cretaceous sequences are grouped into two depositional sequences designated as 1 and 2. The study has shown that the basin is aligned generally East-West with boundaries delimited by an East-West transform fault system and North-South structural arches. The interplay of these stratigraphic features has revealed three unconformity- bound surfaces. Two sequences of Cretaceous age have been delineated, which include sediments deposited between Albian and Maastrichtian (Abeokuta Formation).