Neogene Planktic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of Section of Kam- 1 Well, Western Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Neogene planktic foraminiferal Biostratigraphy of 6,960 ft (2121.4 m) – 10,140 ft (3090.7 m) intervals of Kam -1 well, Western Niger Delta, Nigeria was studied to delineate the intervals into planktic zones. 10g each of 53 ditch cuttings samples were processed for foraminiferal extraction using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and all treated samples were wet sieved with 63 microns mesh screen. Recovered foraminifera were examined with the aid of Olympus binocular microscope. Specific occurrences at intervals and first and last appearances were employed in the delineation of boundaries. Recovery ranges from poor to rich. Recovered planktic foraminifera were identified, evaluated and appraised for their biostratigraphic relevance. N8-N9 planktic zone was established based on last downhole occurrence of Orbulina universa which was placed at 9360 ft (2852.9 m), the interval was also characterised by the abundance of Orbulina universa, Globigerinoides sacculifera and Biorbulina bilobata at 7980 ft (2432.3 m). Below 9360 ft (2852.9 m) was assigned early Miocene even though diagnostic species was not recorded. The entire section was assigned early Miocene / middle Miocene in age. The established N8 –N9 planktic zone could allow regional correlation which underpins most drilling of marine sequences and is key Hydrocarbon exploration