Volume 4 No.

2, February 2014

ISSN 2224-3577

International Journal of Science and Technology

2014 IJST. All rights reserved

http://www.ejournalofsciences.org

Well Logs 3 D Seismic Sequence Stratigraphy Evaluation of Holu Field,

Niger Delta, Nigeria
John O. Amigun1, Olumide Adewoye1, Temitope Olowolafe1 and Emmanuel Okwoli2
1Department

of Applied Geophysics, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

of Physics, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria.

2Department

ABSTRACT
Three Wells, check-shot and 3-D seismic data were used to evaluate the lithology, lithofacies, sequence stratigraphy, seismic facies and
depositional environments of Holu field, Niger delta. Its well logs sequence stratigraphic analysis revealed five depositional sequences
with associated six sequence boundaries (SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5 and SB6 ) occur at respective depths of (1905 m, 1680 m, 1550 m,
1385 m, 1345 m, and 1275 m), five maximum flooding surfaces (MFS1, MFS2, MFS3, MFS4 and MFS5) each associated with depositional
sequences at respective depths of (1755 m, 1575 m, 1405 m, 1360 m and 1305 m) and five system tracts. The 1 st depositional sequence
consist of two system tracts (TST and HST), 2nd depositional sequence is made up of three system tracts (LST, TST and HST), 3 rd
depositional sequence consist of two system tracts (TST and HST), 4 th depositional sequence is made up of three system tracts (LST, TST
and HST) and the 5th depositional sequence also possessed three system tracts (LST, TST and HST). The well logs also revealed dominant
lithologies (sand and shale). Log facies shows heamipelagic shale, marine shale, fluvial channel fill sands, transgressive sands and crevasse
splay sands. Characteristics seismic facies involving amplitude, continuity, frequency and reflection configuration deduced Holu field
environment of deposition to be fluvial systems to marine environments.
Keywords: seismic sequence stratigraphy; system tracts; lithofacies; Niger delta; well logs and seismic facies.

1. INTRODUCTION
It has been observed over the years that hydrocarbon exploration
and exploitation attention has been on structural traps. At present
most of the identified structural closures on the shelf and upper
slope have been drilled and the search for hydrocarbon is
becoming increasingly more difficult and expensive [1]. In a
country like Nigeria where oil has been the backbone of her
economy, combined geophysical well logs and 3-D seismic
stratigraphy approach has not been a doubt an effective
exploration tools to delineate lithology, lithofacies, sequence
stratigraphy, depositional environment and hydrocarbon
reservoirs.
Sequence stratigraphy tremendous ability to decipher the earths
geological record of local to global changes has help greatly to
improve the predictive aspect of hydrocarbon economic
exploration and production. It analyses the sedimentary response
to changes in sea level and the depositional trends that emerge
from the interplay of accommodation i.e. space available for
sediments to fill as well as sedimentation [2].
The success and recognition of sequence stratigraphy stems from
its applicability in both mature and frontier hydrocarbon
exploration basins, where data-driven and model-driven
predictions of lateral and vertical facies changes can be
formulated, respectively.
Therefore in this study, existing well logs and 3-D seismic data
were analyzed and interpreted using the predictive models
capability of sequence stratigraphy which has proven to be

effective in reservoir characterization and in reducing lithologyprediction risk for hydrocarbon exploration in order to evaluate
the Holu field.

2. LOCATION AND GEOLOGY OF THE

STUDY AREA
Holu field is located within onshore Niger Delta, Nigeria
(Figure 1). The Niger Delta is situated in the Gulf of Guinea and
extends throughout the Niger Delta Province. It is located in the
southern part of Nigeria between the longitude 4 0 90 East and
latitude 40 60 North. From the Eocene to the present, the delta
has prograded southwestward, forming depobelts that represent
the most active portion of the delta at each stage of its
development. These depobelts form one of the largest regressive
deltas in the world with an area of some 300,000km2, a sediment
volume of 500,000 km3 and a sediment thickness of over 10 km
in the basin depocenter.
Niger Delta is divided into three formations, (Figure 2)
representing prograding depositional facies that are distinguished
mostly on the basis of sand-shale ratios [3] [4].
The Benin formation is the uppermost unit, it consists of massive
freshwater bearing continental sands and gravel deposited in an
upper deltaic plain environment and extends from the west across
the whole Niger Delta area and southward beyond the existing
coastline. The thickness of the formation ranges from 305 m in
the offshore to 3050 m onshore.
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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

ISSN 2224-3577

International Journal of Science and Technology

2014 IJST. All rights reserved

http://www.ejournalofsciences.org

The Agbada formation forms the hydrocarbon-prospective

sequence in the Niger Delta [5]. It is composed of sands, silts and
shales in various proportions and thicknesses, representing cyclic
sequences of off-lap units. It reaches a maximum thickness of
more than 3050 m.

The Akata formation composed of shales and silts at the base of

the known delta sequence. They contain a few streaks of sand,
possibly of turbiditic origin and were deposited in holomarine
environment. The thickness of this sequence is not accurately
known; but may reach 7000 m in the central part of the delta.

Figure 1: Location and Base Map of the Study Area showing Seismic Lines and Wells

Figure 2: Niger Delta Stratigraphy. (Modified from [3] [4]).

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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

ISSN 2224-3577

International Journal of Science and Technology

2014 IJST. All rights reserved

http://www.ejournalofsciences.org

3. METHODOLOGY
Wireline logs (gamma ray, resistivity, density and neutron), 3D
seismic data and check-shot data were examined, analysed and
interpreted following a procedure in line with the specific
objectives of this study.

3.1 Well logs Analysis

Well logs which represent the geophysical recordings of various
rock properties in boreholes were employed in this study for
facies analyses i.e. lithostratigraphy Identification and sequence
stratigraphy.
Lithostratigraphy Identification
Lithostratigraphy involves the correlation of similar lithology
that are commonly diachronous. Gamma ray (GR) log was used
to delineate the lithology in the study area (Sand and shale
bodies). The sand bodies were identified by the deflection to the
left of the GR log due to the low concentration of radioactive
minerals in sand while deflection to the right signifies shale
which is as a result of high concentration of radioactive minerals
in it. Conventionally, GR log is set to a scale of 0-150 API,
central cut off of 65 API units in which less than 65 API is
interpreted as sand while greater than 65 API is interpreted as
shale.
Well log Sequence Stratigraphy
Well logs allow the identification of stratigraphic sequences by
analysing the stacking patterns of the genetic units. The strata
patterns in the sedimentary record of an area are the results of
tectonics, eustasy and climate hence, stratigraphic surfaces

which signify depositional changes become the key to

establishing sequence stratigraphic units of such study area.
A depositional sequence is the basic unit of sequence stratigraphy
which can be explained as a relatively conformable succession of
genetically related strata bounded by unconformities or their
correlative conformities. According to [6] [7], in vertical
succession all depositional sequences are composed of the
following elements in this order: sequence boundary; lowstand
systems tract; transgressive surface; transgressive systems tract;
maximum flooding surface; highstand systems tract.
The concept of systems tract as applied in this study; define a
linkage of contemporaneous depositional systems forming the
subdivision of a sequence [8]. The interpretation is based on
strata stacking patterns, position within the sequence and types
of bounding surfaces. The timing of systems tracts is inferred
relative to a curve that describes the base-level fluctuations at the
shoreline. In a summary, Table 1 describes the various forms of
depositional sequence elements of system tract.
From the explanation in Table 1, log patterns are therefore
diverse and generally indicative of changing energy regimes
through time. According to [9] [10], the ranges of log motifs
related to different environment of deposition are shown in (Fig.
3).
Hence for Holu field well log analysis carried out in this study,
sequence boundaries, maximum flooding surfaces and the
system tracts were delineated based on the stacking patterns and
log motif and as well as lithologic correlation within the three
wells i.e. holu 1, holu 2 and holu 3 shown in Figure 4 and 5.

Table 1 : The Depositional Sequence Elements of System Tract and their Description

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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

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2014 IJST. All rights reserved

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Figure 3: The Different Types of Log Motif as related to the Environments of Deposition

3.2 3 D Seismic Interpretation

To ensure the continuity of events both on the seismic section
and well log, a well to seismic tie was done using check shot data.
In Figure 6, wells holu 2 and 3 with the sequence boundaries
were tied and displayed on the seismic section. The sequence
boundaries identified on the wells were mapped directly on the
seismic section i.e. where surface is identified by distinctive
reflection pattern observed over a layer with relatively large
extent (Figure 7). Also, three major faults observed from the
seismic section were mapped as well.
Seismic Stratigraphy Interpretation
The concept of seismic stratigraphy is the deduction of
stratigraphy and depositional facies from seismic data. In its
application, seismic reflection terminations and configurations
are interpreted as stratification patterns, and are used for
recognition and correlation of depositional sequences,
interpretation of depositional environment and estimation of
lithofacies. Seismic sequence analysis subdivides the seismic
section into enclosures of concordant reflections, which are

separated by surfaces of discontinuity defined by systematic

reflection terminations. These enclosures of concordant
reflection (seismic sequences) are interpreted as depositional
sequences consisting of genetically related strata and bounded at
their top and base by unconformities or their correlative
conformities. As described in Figure 8(ia), reflection
terminations interpreted as strata terminations include erosional
truncation, toplap, onlap, and downlap [7]. Afterward the
definition of seismic sequences, the environment and lithofacies
within the sequences are interpreted from both seismic and
geologic data of the study area.
Seismic facies analysis which is a geologic interpretation of
seismic reflection parameters i.e. configuration, continuity,
amplitude, frequency, and interval velocity was further carried
out. It involved the recognition of the seismic facies units,
definition of their limits and mapping of their areal associations.
They are interpreted to express certain stratification, lithologic
and depositional features of the deposits that generated the
reflections within the units. Major units of reflection
configurations and that of prograding configurations are
described in Figure 8(ib) and 8(ic) respectively [7].

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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

ISSN 2224-3577

International Journal of Science and Technology

2014 IJST. All rights reserved

http://www.ejournalofsciences.org

Figure 4: Well Log Sequence Stratigraphy showing the Delineated Lithology, Systems tract and Lithofacies.

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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

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International Journal of Science and Technology

2014 IJST. All rights reserved

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Figure 5: Well Log Sequence Statigraphy showing the Stacking Patterns within holu 1 and 3

Figure 6: seismic-well tie using check shot data at Inline 11754

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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

ISSN 2224-3577

International Journal of Science and Technology

2014 IJST. All rights reserved

http://www.ejournalofsciences.org

Benin formation

Agbada formation

Akata formation

Figure 7: Seismic Section showing the Sequences and the associate Sequence Boundaries
.

Figure 8: (ia) Seismic stratigraphic reflection terminations within idealized seismic sequence.
(ib) Various seismic reflection configurations and modifications. (ic) Seismic reflection patterns interpreted
as prograding clinoforms [7].
(ii) seismic facies units based on amplitude, frequency, continuity and reection geometry [13].
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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

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2014 IJST. All rights reserved

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4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The lithostratigraphic interpretation of well logs shows that the
lithology within the area of study is mainly sands and shale. In
Figure 4, the well logs sequence stratigraphy analysis revealed
five depositional sequences with associated six sequence
boundaries namely; SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4, SB5 and SB6 which
occur at respective depths of 1905 m, 1680 m, 1550 m, 1385
m, 1345 m, and 1275 m.
Also in Figure 4, five maximum flooding surfaces (MFS1,
MFS2, MFS3, MFS4 and MFS5) each associated with
depositional sequences were delineated at their respective depths
of (1755 m, 1575 m, 1405 m, 1360 m and 1305 m). The first
depositional sequence consist of two system tracts (TST and
HST), second depositional sequence is made up of three system
tracts (LST, TST and HST), third depositional sequence consist
of two system tracts (TST and HST), fourth depositional
sequence had three system tracts (LST, TST and HST) and the
fifth depositional sequence also possessed three system tracts
(LST, TST and HST). Figure 5 shows the stacking patterns
within the wells, this is interpreted as the depositional patterns of
the sediments where MFS represents the turning point from
finning upward into coarsening upward.
Lithofacies analysis was done across the three wells (Figure 4);
log motifs described in Figure 3 were used to classify the facies.

The following lithofacies namely; fluvial channel fill sands,

marine shale, heamipelagic shale, transgressive sands and
crevasse splay sands were revealed. Its detail across the three
wells is summarised in Table 2. The depositional environments
were mapped across the wells using log signatures and stacking
patterns the results were summarised also in Table 2. The
environment of deposition varies from one depositional sequence
to another i.e. from the top is fluvial / shore face to fluvial /
estuarine at the bottom.
In seismic sequence stratigraphy, seismic reflection is inferred to
represent an isochronous surface except where the reflection
surface is an unconformity identified by toplap, baselap, onlap or
truncation. In this study, the depositional sequences mapped
from the wells were also mapped on the seismic section (Figure
9). These depositional sequences are surfaces of principal
unconformities within the basin and the boundaries associated
with them are erosional boundaries. The Seismic facies analysis
involves critical recognition of reflection characteristics such as
continuity, amplitude, frequency and configuration (Figure 10).
The Figures 9 and 10 show seismic facies analysis where seismic
reflection configurations reveal gross stratification patterns from
which lithology, depositional processes and environments were
interpreted. Table 3 summarized the result of the facies analysis
carried out.

Benin formation

Agbada formation

Akata formation

Figure 9: seismic interpretation showing depositional sequences and associated seismic facies

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2014 IJST. All rights reserved

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Figure 10: seismic facies characteristics for seismic facies interpretation

Table 2 : Sequence Stratigraphy, Depositionan Environments and Lithofacies Analysis from Wells

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Volume 4 No. 2, February 2014

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2014 IJST. All rights reserved

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Table 3: Summary of Seismic Facies Analysis

5. CONCLUSION
Five depositional sequences within Holu field Niger Delta
have been mapped both on well logs and 3D seismic data using
sequence stratigraphy approach. Well logs revealed dominant
lithologies (sand and shale). Log facies shows heamipelagic
shale, marine shale, fluvial channel fill sands, transgressive sands
and crevasse splay sands. Majority of the sand bodies are those
of the channel-fills. These are sand deposits occurring
underneath the paralic sandy sediments of Agbada formation.

These same sands corresponded to the lowstand system tract.

Similarly majority of shale body are those of marine shale /
heamipelagic shale and they fall within late to early HST and late
TST of Agbada formation. Characteristics seismic facies
involving amplitude, continuity, frequency and reflection
configuration deduced the environment of deposition to be
fluvial systems to marine environments

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International Journal of Science and Technology

2014 IJST. All rights reserved

http://www.ejournalofsciences.org

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