AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

2014, Science Hu, http://www.scihub.org/AJSIR

ISSN: 2153-649X, doi:10.5251/ajsir.2014.5.2.73.80

Hydrocarbon reservoir characterization of Keke field, Niger Delta using

3 seismic and petrophysical data
*

P.I. Edigbue1; A.A. Komolafe2; A.A. Adesida3 and O.J Itamuko4

Department of Earth Sciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia
Department of Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information System, Federal University of
Technology, Akure, Nigeria
3
Shell Petroleum Development Company, Portharcourt, Nigeria
4
Blue Ocean Technical Services Ltd, Abuja, Nigeria
Corresponding Authors E-mail Address: paul_edigbue@yahoo.com; phone: +2347038684403
2

ABSTRACT
An integrated 3D seismic and petrophysical data was employed to evaluate hydrocarbon
reservoir potentials of Keke field in the Niger Delta. Two sands units (S1 and S2), which exists
between 9127ft and 11152ft were correlated and mapped using gamma ray log while
petrophysical parameters were obtained from other well logs. The sand units were further
mapped on the seismic sections. Seismic structural attribute (variance) was used to delineate six
major faults in the field. Time and depth maps were generated for both top and base of the
horizons from which the isopach map was derived. Hydrocarbon in-place was calculated from the
obtained seismic and petrophysical parameters in order to unveil the potentials of the reservoirs.
Delineated sand units, S1 and S2 are characterized by hydrocarbon saturations of 65% and
81.8% respectively. Isopach map show thicker sediments in the central and southern parts of the
field ranging from 70ft to 90ft, isochron and isodepth revealed structural high (anticlines) at the
central fault block of the field sandwiched between the growth faults, which are responsible for
possible hydrocarbon accumulation. The trapping mechanisms are fault-assisted and rollover
anticlines. Hydrocarbon in-place for Sand S1 was estimated to be 14.6million ft3 of gas and
6,011.3 bbl of oil while Sand S2 showed 512.3764million ft3 of gas and 6041.94 bbl of oil. The
results show that the trapping mechanisms and the obtained Petrophysical parameters in Keke
field are favourable for hydrocarbon accumulation. Estimated reserves are satisfactory for further
exploration work.
Keywords: 3D seismic, Petrophysics, Reservoir and Reserves
is the key to reservoirs evaluation and subsurface
INTRODUCTION
pore fluid monitoring. While there have been great
advances in 3D seismic data processing, the
Petroleum resources remain very vital to the
quantitative interpretation of the seismic data for rock
economy of several nations of the world. The
properties still pose many challenges. Quantitative
enormous cost of exploration for this all-important
seismic interpretation according to Avseth (2005)
resource makes it necessary for the attainment of
shows the application of rock physics in reservoirs
high level of perfection in the methods adopted for its
parameters prediction through integration of seismic
detection and quantification. Since cost effectiveness
data sedimentological information and stochastic
is the driving factor in oil and gas industry, interest in
methods. In seismic reservoir characterization and/or
reservoir evaluation is channel towards the need to
evaluation, detailed characteristics of reservoir using
quantify the reservoir with reduced level of
seismic data are analyzed and described both in
uncertainty associated with geological models.
quality and quantity. This is done by delineating
Drilling of an oil well is very costly venture coupled
reservoir parameters such as porosity, permeability,
with the fact that hydrocarbon reserve are depleting.
water saturation, pore fluid etc from non- reservoir
The deposits yet undiscovered are in more complex
parameters (Avseth, 2005).
geological environments and hence it is important to
exploit new development with higher resolution
The Agbada Formation is a major hydrocarbon
seismic reflection methods. Analysis of seismic data
reservoir and producer in the Niger Delta Basin

Am. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 2014, 5(2): 73-80

(Tuttle et al., 1990). This Formation consists of

sandstone and shale intercalation. The structural
setting of the Keke field is majorly growth faults and
rollover anticlines. Due to its complex internal
architecture and structural complexity as a result of
growth faults development, there is a possibility of
having some bypassed reservoirs or reserves
compartment. The use of advanced technological
tools in 3D seismic data interpretation and integration
with other geological data have yielded great results
in mapping several structural and stratigraphic
prospects (Srivastava et al., 2005). In this research,
3D seismic surveys, together with well log were
adopted to develop a detailed structural interpretation
of the Keke-Field. This research shows how 3D
seismic data acquired on the Keke-Field, Niger
Delta Basin images subsurface structure which could
not to fully interpret on 2D seismic and well logs. It
also aims at delineating the economic reservoir
unit(s) within the lithologic sequence and characterize
reservoirs both in quality and quantity.

African continental margin at the apex of the Gulf of

Guinea, which formed the site of a triple
junction during
continental
break-up
in
the
Cretaceous (Doust, 1990). 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
(Doust and Omatsola, 1990). These depobelts form
one of the largest regressive deltas in the world with
2
an area of some 300,000km (Kulke, 1995) a
3
sediment volume of 500,000 km and a sediment
thickness of over 10 km in the basin depocenter
(Michele et al., 1999) . Niger Delta Province contains
only one identified petroleum system (Ekweozor and
Daukoru, 1994; Kulke, 1995) referred to as the
Tertiary Niger Delta (Akata Agbada) Petroleum
System. Extended research by Tuttle et al. (1990)
confirmed this one petroleum system with the delta,
which was formed at the triple junction related to the
opening of the southern Atlantic beginning in the late
Jurassic and continuing into the Cretaceous. The
delta, based on Ekweozor and Daukoru (1994) and
Tuttle et al. (1990) began its development in the
Eocene with the accumulation of sediments that are
now about 10 kilometers thick. The maximum extent
of the petroleum system coincides with the
boundaries of the province (Figure 2).

STUDY AREA AND GEOLOGY

The field under consideration, identified as KEFE
for the purpose of this study is an onshore oil field in
the Niger Delta region, located in the southern part of
Nigeria (Figure 1).

GasZone
Oil
Water
Undifferenciated
Fluids
Zone
Zone
Zone

480000

481000

482000

483000

484000

485000

484000

485000

The area is geologically a sedimentary basin, and

consists of three basic Formation: Akata Agbada and
the Benin Formations. The Akata is made up of thick
shale sequences and it serves as the potential
source rock. It is assumed to have been formed as a
result of the transportation of terrestrial organic
matter and clays to deep waters at the beginning of
Paleocene (Tuttle et al., 1990). According to Doust
and Omatsola (1990), the thickness of this formation
is estimated to about 7,000 maters thick, and it lies
under the entire delta with high overpressure.
Agbada Formation is the major oil and gas reservoir
of the delta, It is the transition zone and consist of
intercalation of sand and shale (paralic siliciclastics
)with over 3700 meter thick and represent the deltaic
portion of the Niger Delta sequence (Doust, 1990;
Tuttle et al., 1990). Agbada Formation is overlain by
the top Formation, which is Benin. Benin Formation is
made of sands of about 2000m thick (Avbovbo,
1978).

70000

70000

479000

KEFE2
KEFE4

69000

69000

KEFE1

68000

68000

KEFE6

479000

480000

481000

482000

483000

500 1000 1500 2000 2500ft

1:12952

Fig. 1: Study Area Location

Niger Delta according to Klett et al.(1997) is situated

within the Gulf of Guinea with extension throughout
the Niger Delta Province. It is located in the southern
O
o
part of Nigeria between the longitude 4 9 East
o
o
and latitude 4 - 6 North. It is situated on the West
Map
Country

Scale

Block

Contour inc

License

User name

Model name

Date

Horizon name

Signature

1:12952

PAUL
09/09/2008

74

Am. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 2014, 5(2): 73-80

iii. the reflection time as an expression of the depth

and dip of a geological surface and of its velocity.
Studies of reflection time allowed us to see folding
and faulting of a geological surface and also to
recognize structural traps. Further, they allow us to
see angular unconformity; between two surfaces and
so to recognize truncation and erosions. They also
allow us to see patterns of surfaces and so to
recognize certain depositional mechanisms; from
these, in turn we can make inference about facies.
The reflection character is an amalgam of amplitude
waveform and polarity. It is an expression of physical
properties above, below the reflection surface, and of
interferences between reflections from closely
spaced reflection surfaces. Studies of reflection
character allow us to map variations in the nature of
the rocks and so to supplement our interference
about their type and condition. Well logs were
correlated and appropriate reservoirs bodies were
characterized in terms of their petrophysical
parameters (Figure 3). Reservoirs were calculated
using volumetric method from the integrated
information from the 3D seismic interpretations and
petrophysical analysis.

Fig. 2: Map of the Niger Delta showing the province

outline (maximum petroleum system) bounding
structural features; minimum petroleum system as
defined by oil and gas field center points 200, 2000,
3000 and 4000m bathymetry contours; and 2 and 4km
sediment thickness [data from Petroconsultants
(1996)]

.
METHODOLOGY
The materials used for this research work include the
following: 3D stacked depth migrated seismic
sections comprising of 400 inlines and 200
crosslines, base map of the study area, check shot
survey curve, continuous velocity logs, gamma ray
and resistivity logs. Integrated methods involving 3D
seismic interpretation and petrophysical data
analytical methods were employed to meet the
objectives of this research. Interpretation of seismic
sections was done interactively in Petrel software
from where two (2) sand units were mapped and
evaluated by generating various indicator maps such
as structural, Isopach, Isochron and isodepth maps.
Information is useful in determining appropriate
locations for drilling exploratory, appraisal or
development wells within a prospect.
This study involves the interpretation of 3-D seismic
data, which in turn involves the analysis of seismic
sections, and through this, the generation of maps for
interpretation of anomalies in an attempt to locate
structures
favourable
for
accumulation
of
hydrocarbon. To do this, we bear in mind the
following important geological information in seismic
traces: i. Seismic method measures only physical
properties and their changes, geological properties
can be obtained only by inference, ii. reflection
evident on a seismic section has time and character,

Fig. 3: Correlation Panel Showing the Delineated

Reservoir

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Am. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 2014, 5(2): 73-80

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This research defines the structural, petrophysical
and volumetric characteristics of the interpreted
horizons using 3D seismic and well log data (Figures
3 and 4). It therefore examines the hydrocarbon
reservoir in terms of its geologic structures, reservoir
properties and reserve estimates. The study
integrated a suite of 600 seismic section (400inlines
and 200 crosslines) and 5 composite well log data
acquired over Keke-Field, onshore Niger Delta
Basin. The seismic section was mainly used for
structural interpretation while the logs are essential
for petrophysical evaluation of the delineated
reservoir. The area obtained from the seismic section
when combined with the thickness of the reservoir
and other petrophysical parameters such as porosity
(), water saturation (Sw) is used in estimating for the
volume of hydrocarbon in place of the reservoir. Two
sands units (S1 and S2), which exists between 9127ft
and 11152ft were delineated from the correlation of
four wells using well logs (Figure 3). The lithologic
units are consistent across the wells, meaning that
most lithologic units are present. Increasing trend of
the thickness of the shale units with depth indicate
that the sequence is approaching the Akata
formation. The two horizons were also delineated on
the seismic section as shown in Figure 4(a and b).

Fig. 4 Seismic horizons for (a) Sands 1 and (b) Sand 2

Figure 5 (a, b and c) shows the fault structural map.

Six faults labeled F1-F6 (4 major and 2 minor) are
interpreted. The map shows the various positions and
orientations of the faults. The presence of these
faults in the study area is an indication that there is
possibility of hydrocarbon accumulation. Weber and
Daukora (1975) described faults as good migration
path for hydrocarbon into the reservoir rocks. The
trend and dip direction of each fault are depicted as
interpreted on inline 1300. The two synthetic faults F1
and F2 extend throughout the field and trending westeast; they dip northeast southwest and southeast
northwest respectively. Another major synthetic fault
is F3. It trends northwest southeast and dips
southwest. Fault F4 is another antithetic fault trending
northeast southwest and dips northwest. Fault F5 is
probably an extension of fault F3, having the link
outside the seismic survey.

The Time Structural Maps (Figure 6) shows the twoway-traveltime of the mapped horizons S1 and S2
and highlights the geometry of the reflector (Kearey
and Brooks, 1984). Examination of this map shows
the presence of structures (growth fault and anticline)
that can possibly harbour hydrocarbon in the study
area. An anticlinal structure could be observed about
the central portion of the study area closing on a

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Am. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 2014, 5(2): 73-80

major fault, F1. This shows that the trapping

mechanism is a fault-assisted anticlinal structure.

Fig. 6: Time Structural Map Showing the Delineated

Structures in horizons (a) S1 and (b) S2

The depth structural map (Figure 7) depicts area

where there is structural high. Commercial oil
accumulations occur predominantly in the structurally
highest part of a given macrostructure in the strike
sense, despite viable trapping conditions down
plunge (Evamy et al, 1978). In Kefe field, the
trapping systems are anticlines and fault assisted
closures (Figure 7).

F
4

F
5

F
3

F
2

Fig.5: (a) Variance Attributes time slice (b) Variance

attributes Section and (c). Fault Map Showing the
Mapped Faults.

Fig. 7 Depth structural maps for (a) Sand 1 and

(b) Sand 2

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Am. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 2014, 5(2): 73-80

Reservoir Properties: Hydrocarbon potentials of the

delineated sands were revealed in their Petrophysical
properties. Table 1 shows reservoir properties that
were calculated for reservoirs S1 and S2 from wells 1
and 4. From this table, it can be deducted clearly that
the sands are well sorted with low values of water
saturation (Sw). Sand 2 shows more of hydrocarbon
potential than Sand 1 in both wells. The effective
porosities are satisfactory for a reservoir to be
adjudged a producible reservoir.

Hydrocarbons in Place and Recoverable

Resource: The estimation method used for this study
is volumetric estimation of the reserve. This
volumetric estimation of hydrocarbon reserves
involves the integration of various geological
parameters obtained from both surface (seismic) and
subsurface (well log) geophysical data. Petrophysical
parameters such as porosity and water saturation
have already been calculated as in the last section.
The reservoir for estimation of hydrocarbon in place,
which can be located on the structural maps as
delineated. The average of the petrophysical
parameters for the mapped reservoir was computed
to get the corresponding values used in computing
for the hydrocarbon in place.

Table1: Petrophysical Properties of Delineated

Sands in Wells 1 and 4

Calculations of original hydrocarbon in place were

done using the following standard volumetric
estimation formula in equation (1)

-------------- (1)
Where:
3

OHIP = Original Hydrocarbon (Gas/oil) in Place (m )

A = Areal extent of the accumulation (ha * 10000)
H = Average Net Pay for the reservoir zone (m)
= Average Effective Porosity (Fraction)
Sw = Average Water Saturation (Fraction)
The depth structural maps (Figure 6) displays the gas
oil contact (GOC) and oil water contact (OWC) from
which the area extent of the reservoir was estimated
and hence the eventual hydrocarbon in place. The
hydrocarbon water contact (HWC) of Sands 1 and
2 were found approximately on the good closures of
613m and 2953m depth while oil water contact
(OWC) were found to be at 200m and 2934m
respectively. Computer cube cell estimation was
adopted to calculate the value. The hydrocarbon
could be quantified into specific value of gas and / or
oil due to availability of neutron and density logs. The
results obtained are presented in Table 2.

The average values obtained for the petrophysical

parameters of the delineated reservoirs show that the
reservoirs S1 and S2 are highly prolific with
maximum values of 65.48% and 81.8% hydrocarbon
saturation with 30.20% and 28.19% porosity
respectively (Table 1). These two petrophysical
parameters are essential in computing hydrocarbon
in place. It is worthy of note that the two delineated
reservoirs have high potentials for hydrocarbon in
well 4 than well 1

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Am. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 2014, 5(2): 73-80

Table 2: Reservoir Volumetric Parameters

CONCLUSIONS
Information derived from 3D seismic data volumes
resulted in more understanding of the structural
styles and architecture, and in accurate delineation of
reservoir blocks in the study area. Within the scope of
this work, it has been established that the trapping
mechanisms in the study field are fault assisted and
rollover anticline. The Petrophysical properties of
Keke field reflect the ability of the formation to store
and produce hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon saturation
parameter concentrates generally at the central and
north-eastern parts. Faulting and folding play a
prominent role in the definition of the structural
setting. These structural features constitute the main
structural traps detected in the study area. Sands 1
and 2 have good hydrocarbon potential that made
them economically viable. The major anticlinal ridge
in the mapped horizon is favorable to the
accumulation of hydrocarbon. The work reveal that
the central fault block of the field where there are
existing wells have structural highs (anticlines) that
are sandwiched between the growth faults, which are
responsible for possible hydrocarbon accumulation.
The isopach map revealed that the reservoir very
thick and favourable for hydrocarbon accumulation.
The isopach map shows thicker sediment in the
central and southern parts of the field. The estimated
hydrocarbon in place of the reservoir is satisfactory.

From the estimation, it can be concluded that the

value of hydrocarbon (either gas or oil) in place for
both reservoirs, as revealed by this analysis could be
said to be in commercial quantity and the profitability
may be high which could cater for the expenses of
carrying out the exploration and exploitation of both
oil and gas.

Since all the available wells were located consequent

to a 3D seismic survey, high resolution 4D seismic
survey should be carried out within the field in order
to cater for the by passed hydrocarbon in the area.
More rigorous stratigraphic framework should be built
and integrate more data/information to develop the
Prospect. The surrounding fields should also be
developed because the reservoirs delineated extend
outside the studied field.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Authors appreciate the Exxon Mobil for donating
workstations and Petrel software used for this
research. Our gratitude goes to Chevron Nigeria for
providing the seismic and log data.
REFERENCES

Fig.8. Depth Structural Map showing fluids

contacts and Delineated Prospects

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