The Mundeck Salt Unit: A Review of Aptian Depositional Context and Hydrocarbon Potential in the Kribi-Campo Sub-Basin (South Cameroon Atlantic Basin)
- Autor(en)
- Mike-Franck Mienlam Essi, Eun Young Lee, Mbida Yem, Jean Marcel Abate Essi, Joseph Quentin Yene Atangana
- Abstrakt
The Kribi-Campo sub-basin, located in the Gulf of Guinea, constitutes the southeastern segment of the Cameroon Atlantic Margin. Drilling in the Aptian salt unit revealed a sparse hydrocarbon presence, contrasting with modest finds in its counterparts like the Ezanga Salt in Gabon and the Rio Muni Salt in Equatorial Guinea. This discrepancy prompted a reassessment of the depositional context and hydrocarbon potential of the Mundeck salt unit. By integrating 2D seismic reflection and borehole data analysis, this study established the structural and stratigraphic framework of the area, emphasizing the salt unit’s significance. Borehole data indicate a localized salt unit offshore Kribi, with seismic reflection data revealing distinct forms of diapir and pillow. This salt unit displays a substantial lateral extent with thicknesses ranging from 4000 m to 6000 m. The depositional context is linked to the following two major geological events: a significant sea-level drop due to margin uplift during the Aptian and thermodynamic processes driven by transfer faults related to mid-oceanic ridge formation. These events were crucial in forming and evolving the Mundeck Salt. Regarding hydrocarbon prospects, this study identifies the unit as being associated with potential petroleum plays, supported by direct hydrocarbon indicators and fault-related structures. The findings suggest that untapped hydrocarbon resources may still exist, underscoring the need for further exploration and analysis.
- Organisation(en)
- Institut für Geologie
- Externe Organisation(en)
- Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Université de Yaoundé I
- Journal
- Geosciences
- Band
- 14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14100267
- Publikationsdatum
- 10-2024
- Peer-reviewed
- Ja
- ÖFOS 2012
- 105121 Sedimentologie, 105103 Erdölgeologie
- Schlagwörter
- ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
- Allgemeine Erdkunde und Planetologie
- Link zum Portal
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/f0d386fd-b1a3-40e6-a5fb-cf6d5ad8a6ce