Estimation of Sedimentary Thickness for Hydrocarbon Potential over part of Adamawa Trough, NE Nigeria, Using Magnetic Method

Abstract

This study presents the results of the analysis and interpretation of aeromagnetic data over part of Adamawa trough with the aim of investigating the hydrocarbon potential of the study area. The study area is located between latitude 8.50oN and 9.50oN and longitudes 11.50oE and 12.50oE. The Total magnetic intensity map of the study area was subjected to regional/residual separation. Three depth estimating techniques applied on the residual map to determine the thickness of sediments in the study area were Source parameter imaging, Euler deconvolution and spectral method. The results of these methods corroborate; the SPI, Euler Deconvolution and Spectral method shows a thick sedimentation of 4.42 km, 4.20 km and 4.17 km at the north-eastern part of the study area respectively. The SPI, Euler deconvolution and the Spectral method reveal shallow depth of 0.06 km, 0.10 km and 0.42 km at the southeast, southern and southwest part of the study area respectively. The maximum sedimentary thickness of above 4 km obtained in this study at the north-eastern part of the study area which corresponds to Numal might be sufficient for hydrocarbon maturation and accumulation. The study area was found to have a good prospect for hydrocarbon exploration.