Oil & Gas Geology ›› 2020, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (6): 1244-1256.doi: 10.11743/ogg20200612

• Petroleum Geology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Sedimentary system of the Cretaceous terrigenous clastics and its controlling factors in Senegal Basin, northern West Africa

Yue Gong(), Zhiqiang Feng*(), Changwu Wu, Naxin Tian, Tianbi Ma, Dapeng Wang, Chongzhi Tao, Weiyuan Gao   

  1. Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, SINOPEC, Beijing 100083, China
  • Received:2020-05-06 Online:2020-12-28 Published:2020-12-09
  • Contact: Zhiqiang Feng E-mail:gongyue.syky@sinopec.com;gec631018@sina.com

Abstract:

The Cretaceous system with its extensive shelf-edge deltas and slope fans in the Senegal Basin is one of the most active oil and gas exploration areas in the world.This study systematically explores the sequence framework and sedimentary-geomorphic evolution of the shelf-edge slope zone in the basin, and their responses to the tectonic, sea level and sedimentary supply variations based on the analysis of seismic facies and well data.The results show that the Cretaceous sedimentary system could be divided into two composite sequences (CS1 and CS2) separated by the regional unconformities of the Late Aptian and Late Cenomanian.The two sequences are subdivided into eight third-order sequences.The shelf-edge delta and slope fan facies with a source-to-sink relationship are identified.Three sedimentary subfacies are recognized in the deltas according to seismic facies, namely the delta plain, delta front and pro-delta; and four sedimentary units are identified in the slope fans, namely the landslide debris flow lobe, erosion-filling channel, delta-front fan lobe, and distal fan lobe.Three evolutionary stages are determined according to the evolutionary traits of the slope fan (from slope toe stage to erosional and wide and gentle stages).The deposition distribution of the Cretaceous is closely related to provenance supply, paleogeomorphology and eustatic fluctuation at different periods.The locations of the slope fans and the later filling in the deltas were once conditioned by paleogeomorphology.Sea level changes and provenance supply are the major factors controlling the shape and advancement of the deltas and slope fans.Regional tectonic events including the continuous uplift of the Mauritanides in West Africa, the expansion of mid-Atlantic seafloor, and the tilting of continental margin in the Early Cretaceous have changed the provenance supply and paleomorphology of the basin.The Cretaceous clastic sedimentary system with delta-slope fan facies developed on the shelf edge in the Senegal Basin is thus considered the most important target for oil and gas exploration in the study area.

Key words: slope fan, shelf delta, sedimentary evolution, Cretaceous, Senegal Basin, northern West Africa

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