Palynomorph assemblage of an onshore (FB-1) well in the Niger delta oil province

Detailed study of palynomorphs recovered from ditch cutting samples of an on-shore well (FB-1 well) in the Niger delta has been carried out to subdivide the sedimentary succession penetrated by the well chronostratigraphically. The palynomorphs were well preserved. Results show that the paralic Agbada Fomation interval of the well studied could be divided into four informal biozones A B C and D based on the occurrence of fossil species: Racemonocolpites hians, Retibrevitricolporites obodoensis and Retibrevitricolporites protrunden. The interval studied was deposited between Late Miocene and Early Pliocene. Five sequence stratigraphic significant surfaces: 7.4Ma, 6.0Ma, 5.0Ma, 3.8Ma and an undated maximum flooding surface could be inferred from the interval studied. These therefore suggest that the paralic unit in the study area was deposited under about five eustatic sea level changes that lasted for about 4Ma. Thus this study has not only documented assemblage zones but equally recognized system tracts and flooding surfaces which are chronologically dated which can be useful not only in onshore but also in offshore settings while trying to optimize exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon in the Niger delta basin.