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Source Rocks of the Onshore Kwanza Basin - A New Geochemical Approach

Conference Paper · October 2017

DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201702362

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 Source Rocks of the Onshore Kwanza Basin: A New Geochemical Approach

Cristina Rodrigues1,2, Zélia Pereira3, Paulo Fernandes4, Domingos Cunha5, Fernando

Gonçalves5, Ligia Barroso5, Sheila Barata1, Pedro Claude N´sungani6, Júlia Carvalho1,
Manuel João Lemos de Sousa2

1 Halliburton, Rua Kwame N’Krumah, 217/221, Ed. Metropolis, 7ª, Sagrada Familia, Luanda,
Angola
2 FP-ENAS, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Praça 9 de Abril, 349, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
3 LNEG, Rua da Amieira, Ap. 1089, 4466-901 S. Mamede Infesta, Portugal
4 CIMA-Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de
Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
5 Sonangol, Rua 1º Congresso do MPLA nº 8/16 – C. Postal 1316 – Luanda, Angola
6 Departamento de Geologia, Universidade Agostinho Neto, Avenida 4 de Fevereiro nº 71,
Luanda, Angola

Abstract

The Onshore Kwanza Basin can be faced as a complementary sector in the Oil Scenario,
considering the new crisis in the Oil Market. In fact, bearing in mind the already known
resources, the Onshore can be considered the next promising exploration area, which is less
expensive and the oil production would be quicker than expected in the offshore areas. The
main purpose of this paper is to present a pioneer surface organic geochemistry study
developed at a regional scale by Sonangol to characterize and identify potential source rocks.
The 1/250 000 scale geological maps (Sonangol/Total 1987 and Sonangol/Obrangol 2015)
were used to support the sampling programme developed. To implement this work were
involved field sampling and laboratorial analyses. A number of 800 outcrop samples were
collected in the entire basin, which were strategically selected considering the stratigraphic
framework. The methods and analyses selected for the present study were palynostratigraphy,
optical organic maturation and organic geochemistry (TOC, Pyrolysis, carbon stable isotopes,
gaseous chromatography/mass spectrometry). Results suggest that some shale dominated
layers of Quifangondo, Cunda/Gratidão, Teba and Cabo Ledo Formations, when compared to
the rest of the analysed formations, present the highest potential source rocks, in specific areas
of the basin.

First EAGE/ASGA Workshop on Petroleum Exploration

2-4 October 2017, Luanda, Angola
Introduction

The Kwanza Basin, located in the central part of the Angolan coast, is one of the several
basins within the West African Aptian Salt Basin, formed during the course of the South
Atlantic Ocean opening. The rifting event of the Angolan margin began from south during the
Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, which allowed the formation of the Aptian salt basin
(Guiraud et al 2010, Brognon and Verrier 1966, Burwood 1999, Hudec and Jackson 2004).
The region, nowadays, known as Gulf of Guinea was the last part of the African coast to be
submitted to the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean, allowing the development of a confined
anoxic sea from the Walvis Chain up to the North of Africa (Late Albian to Turonian). In Late
Turonian, considering that continental margins were still separating, oxidizing conditions
were developed between African and South American continents. The Kwanza Basin shows
features archetypal of Atlantic-type Marginal Sag Basins filled with Meso-Cenozoic deposits,
due to a complex geodynamic evolution, which can be characterized by three main stages,
namely: Pre-rift, Syn-rift and Post-rift (Brownfield and Charpentier 2006, Hudec and Jackson
2004). The Kwanza Basin is separated into inner (onshore) and outer (offshore) sub-basins.
However the two sub-basins are split into small-basins by basement structural highs,
produced by major transform faults, where Aptian salt is usually thin or absent (Brownfield
and Charpentier 2006, Hudec and Jackson 2004). The basement structural highs are
Flamingo, Ametista, and Benguela Platforms combined with the Aptian salt migration,
produced during the basement shortening and uplift, played a major role in the Kwanza Basin
configuration. In fact, the independent evolution of both onshore and offshore basins resulted
in quite different depositional environments but time-equivalent units. This study deals with
the Onshore Kwanza Basin only, so a consensual stratigraphic summary (Figure 1) (Brognon
and Verrier 1966, Brownfield and Charpentier 2006, Guiraud et al 2010) is presented. Pre-rift
deposits (Jurassic) contain a terrigenous detrital sequence which was deposited in continental-
deltaic environments. Syn-rift sequence (Neocomian to Barremian or perhaps early Aptian) is
represented by fluvial deposits and consists of conglomerates and coarse-grained sandstones
(Red Cuvo Formation), lacustrine deposits consisting of shales, organic-rich shales, fine-
grained sandstones and siltstones (Grey Cuvo Formation), and conglomerate, red sandstone,
claystone, and dolomite from transitional environment (Cuvo and Chela Formations), which
embody the end of rifting. Post-rift deposits (Late Aptian to present-day) are represented
mainly by marine strata, nevertheless continental conditions dominated from Pliocene to
Pleistocene. The Loeme Formation (Late Aptian) represents the first marine transgressive
deposits and, contains a carbonate sequence deposited in marine-lagoonal environment. The
transitional carbonate-evaporities cycles from Late Aptian to Albian (Binga and Tuenza
Formations) overlay the Loeme Formation. From Albian to Maastrichian widespread organic-
rich marine mudstones and marls (Quissonde to Teba Formations) developed laterally and
above the carbonate units. Cenozoic times wereas dominated by progradational marine
conditions. The Paleocene (Rio Dande Formation) and Eocene (Cunga/Gratidão Formation)
are represented by regressive sandstones and siltstones, turbidites, and deep-marine deposits.
During the Miocene (Quifangondo Formation), the marine conditions persisted and deposits
are mainly represented by poorly sorted material and locally channel-filled sandstones and
turbidities are identified. Finally, Pliocene and Pleistocene consists of continental terrigenous
detrital sequence.

The main objective is to present a general assessment of the outcrops source rock potential,
considering specific stratigraphic intervals and lithofacies, in order to improve the maturation
model and refine the stratigraphy of the onshore Kwanza Basin. This work involved
palynostratigraphy and the assessment of organic maturation, supported by organic petrology
and geochemistry techniques. The results presented in this paper are one of the tasks that have
been developed in the Geochemical Project of the Onshore Kwanza Basin conducted by
Sonangol EP.

First EAGE/ASGA Workshop on Petroleum Exploration

2-4 October 2017, Luanda, Angola
Figure 1 Stratigraphic column and summary of tectonostratigraphic events in the Inner
Kwanza Basin (Guiraud et al 2010).

Material and Methods

In the last decades, an abundant data set of the potential source rocks of the Onshore Kwanza
Basin was been systemically collected. Although, the current maturation model has some
uncertainties, mainly due to the basin complex geodynamics (Brognon and Verrier 1966,
Brownfield and Charpentier 2006, Burwood 1999, Burwood et al 1992, Duval et al. 1992,
Hudec and Jackson 2004, Jackson and Hudec 2009, Jackson et al. 2000, Schiefelbein et al.
2000). This study involved field work, with the sampling of 800 rock samples in outcrops
(mainly shales and marls) using a systematic methodology, supported by the Geological Maps
(Sonangol/Total 1987 and Sonangol/Obrangol 2015) and regional Kwanza Basin key
parameters, such as: the tectonic-sedimentary framework, the stratigraphic sequence, and the
geographic distribution, in order to make the samples set representative of the complex
geology of the basin. Standard palynological laboratory procedures were employed in the
extraction and concentration of the palynomorphs. The slides were examined with transmitted
light, with a BX40 Olympus microscope equipped with an Olympus C5050 digital camera.
Mean random vitrinite reflectance in oil immersion (%Ro) was the vitrinite reflectance (VR)
parameter chosen for maturation assessment of the shale and marls samples because the
mounting techniques used provide non-oriented vitrinite particles. VR measurements on all
samples were made using an Olympus BX 51 microscope equipped with a black and white
digital camera. The greyscale (8-bit) digital images of vitrinite particles were analysed using a
MatLab routine. This routine is a graphical tool that runs within the MIRONE suite and
calibrates the scale of 256 grey levels with standards of known reflectivity. The reflectance
values of the standards used were: 0.428 %, 0.595 %, 0.897 %, 1.314 %, 1.715 %, 3.15 % and

First EAGE/ASGA Workshop on Petroleum Exploration

2-4 October 2017, Luanda, Angola
5.37 %. VR was measured in incident light with a wavelength of 546 nm and immersion oil
with a refractive index of 1.518. Organic geochemistry analyses of TOC (Total Organic
Carbon), Pyrolysis (Rock-Eval) Biomarkers and Stable Carbon Isotopes were performed by
GEO-Data according to NCS DC 73025, IFP 160000, and NBS 22/NBS 21 standards,
respectively; Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry was carried out by ACTLABS
according to ASTM designation of E-1618, which analysis requires a preparation of 0.5 g of
sample in order to achieve whole extracts without any fractionation.

Results

The following results produced, up to now, by Sonangol embody a first study of the Regional
Geochemical Project of the Onshore Kwanza Basin, only. The integration of all the analytical
results was done and the interpretation of the results was analysed taking into account each
formation throughout the entire basin. Palynostratigraphic studies and the source rocks
potential assessment were not accomplished in some of the stratigraphic units, due to the lack
of amount and well-preserved organic matter and to the insufficient number of representative
outcrops, which should be culminated in future works. Taking into consideration the results
obtained from the samples set collected during the field sampling programme, it is possible to
reach some pertinent results. Data obtained from Binga and Mucanzo Formations suggest
kerogen type II, II/I, II/III and due to sampling locations, it means, basement proximity, do
not show positive maturation indices. A preliminary age of Late Albian was suggested for the
analysed samples collected in the Quissonde Formation (a lateral facies variation of Mucanzo
Formation), supported by dinoflagellates cysts and pollens. The Cabo Ledo Formation
comprehends mainly kerogen type II, I/II, III and the samples analysed show immaturity/early
oil window stage. A terminal Late Maastrichtian age was suggested for samples analysed in
the Teba Formation, according to dinoflagellates; and the optical and geochemical maturation
techniques suggest for the analysed samples kerogen type II, I/II, II/III, and the maturation
parameters show, depending on sampling locations, immature and mature data. The Rio
Dande Formation is characterized by kerogen type II, II/I, II/III and, as seen in the previous
formation, show immature and mature samples depending on sampling location. The
dinoflagellate cysts and rare pollens identified in the samples collected in the Gratidão
Formation indicated a Late Chattian age; those samples are characterized by kerogen type II,
II/I, I/II, II/II, and show immature and mainly mature indices. The Cunga Formation results
suggest kerogen type II, I/II, II/III, and mainly mature samples. The analysed samples from
the Quifangondo Formation suggested a Late Burdigalian age, according to a well preserved
dinoflagellates association; the organic maturation assessment suggests kerogen type II, II/III,
II/I, and mainly mature samples (peak oil window).

Conclusions and final remarks

This study was based on the tectonic-sedimentary framework and the analytical data produced
from samples collected in outcrops throughout the entire Onshore Kwanza Basin.
Nevertheless, this preliminary assessment of the already available Onshore Kwanza Basin
Geochemical Database allows us to reach the following conclusions: a) the organic
maturation does not increase with the increase age of the stratigraphic unit; in fact, samples
analysed from the older stratigraphic units present the lower maturation values, and are
assigned to samples collected near the border of the sedimentary basin. Lower maturation
values can be justified by the low subsidence rates induced by the competent basement
proximity, and due to the location of samples collected (fault footwall blocks forming
structural highs); b) the stratigraphic units showing the highest source rock potential among
all the analysed stratigraphic units are Quifangondo, Cunga, Gratidão, Teba and Cabo Ledo
Formations. However, this is only valid in some specific areas of Kwanza Basin, since
petroleum potential is highly dependent on the geodynamic model; c) Formations presenting
low source rock potential is mainly related to oxidizing depositional conditions since they did

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2-4 October 2017, Luanda, Angola
 not favour the preservation of organic matter, and we suggest that in future studies these
should be targeted for resampling; d) the lower and upper limits of the analysed stratigraphic
units must be confirmed in future studies, as well; e) furthermore, the integration of the results
obtained from this work with the subsurface pre-existing data will be a crucial element to
enhance the presented interpretation.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Sonangol EP, Halliburton (Landmark), Previsão Oil, Fundação
Fernando Pessoa/Universidade Fernando Pessoa (FPENAS Research Unit), LNEG
(Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia), UALG (Universidade do Algarve) and GEO-
Data for the excellent collaboration to produce this study.

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2-4 October 2017, Luanda, Angola

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