Geologic and stratigraphic logging project report of Semliki Basin Albertine Graben Ntoroko district Western Uganda.

Abstract

The geological and stratigraphic field study exercise was conducted by third year Makerere University students pursuing the degree of Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production and the report is submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the above-mentioned degree. The study area (Kibuku), is located in Ntoroko district, Western Uganda, situated in the southern part of the Albertine Graben, and it also forms the northern part of the western arm of the East African Rift System (EARS). The objective of the study was to train students on how to collect and interpret, petrographic, stratigraphic, sedimentological and structural data; which are vital in hydrocarbon exploration. Various equipment, materials and methods were employed i.e. Brunton compass, GPS, desk study, basement studies and sediment studies among others. The lithological and stratigraphic analysis of the semliki basin showed that sandstones, silts, clays and conglomerate predominate the area. The study has also allowed a better understanding of the facies present and depositional settings, hence determination of the provenance of the basin’s sediments. Structures were observed, their structural measurement taken and this information was in turn used to ascertain how these structures may affect the hydrocarbons in case they were present. The Geophysical data of the basin availed to students in order to dry to identify the depocenter and any possible structures within the basin. The seismic data of the Gulf of Mexico was also used to interpret its facies/lithology. Petro physical data of the Turaco 2 well was constructed using Techlog software and interpreted to give a clearer understanding of the stratigraphic succession in the semliki basin. Finally, the results are elaborately discussed, where I ascertained that sediments in the Semliki Basin represent a petroleum play for hydrocarbon accumulations, in which the necessary elements of a valid petroleum system were identified. Conclusions and recommendations as regards the whole field exercise have been noted.