Albertine Graben Area Semliki Basin geological field mapping project in Ntoroko District, Western Uganda

Abstract

This project goes into detail on the fieldwork that was done in the Albertine Graben's Semliki Basin from June 12 to June 23, 2017. The fieldwork was done in Kichwamba, in the quarry behind Kisegi Hill, along the seasonal Kisegi River, on the Kibuku Road Cut, in the Turaco Area, and at Sempaya Hot Springs. Studying the local environment and sediment deposition processes as well as comprehending physical sedimentological and sequence stratigraphical formations were the primary goals of the fieldwork. The fieldwork's specific goals were identifying the lithologies of the Semliki basin, the structures found in the basement and in the sediments, the various components of the petroleum system, and the facies and depositional settings. To measure, record, and store geological data, several materials were utilized. Group members were instructed in the study process using the manuals that were given to each group. Although some activities, including the presentation of results, required solo work, the majority of the work was done in groups. In order to draw conclusions regarding the Semliki basin's potential for petroleum, we gathered a large amount of structural and stratigraphic data. Lacustrine, deltaic, and fluvial sediments made up the research area. The basin was subject to active tectonic activity. This resulted in the construction of the many structures that we saw in the sediments and basement. These structures, such as faults, joints, folds, veins, and banding, are examples. Cross bedding, unconformities, faults, as well as mud dips and deformation bands, are some of the sedimentary structures that have been found. Plunging folds, faults, and mud diapirs would provide excellent structural sealants. The presence of hot springs nearby indicated a strong enough geothermal gradient, which is crucial for source rock maturation and hydrocarbon ejection. To fully comprehend the rocks and sediments that make up the Semliki sedimentary basin, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and tectonics are used. With this knowledge, one may interpret the geologic history and assess the economic significance of these rocks (e.g Boggs, 1995). We came to the conclusion that the research region had a good (functioning) petroleum system with all the necessary system components, such as source rocks, reservoir rocks, seals, traps, and migration pathways, and there is a potential of petroleum finding