Reflection seismic interpretation of deepwater fold-thrust structures, Niger Delta

Published bathymetric maps and regional seismic profiles across the lower continental slope and rise indicate the existence of laterally extensive fold-thrust belts (FTBs) at the toe of the Niger Delta. These Niger Delta FTBs are therefore situated along a passive (divergent) plate margin. In general, passive margins are associated with extensional deformation whereas fold-thrust belts are usually associated with compressional deformation and other tectonic processes related to active (convergent) plate margins. The foreland regions of active plate margins rather than passive margins are therefore examples of conventional locations of FTBs. The Niger Delta FTBs offer a unique opportunity to study FTBs that are non-conventional in that they developed in a passive margin environment. The primary goals of this research are to elucidate the overall compressional deformation regime responsible for the formation of the FTBs at the toe of the Niger Delta, the thrusting mechanisms, and the prospectivity of these thrust faults as potential hydrocarbon traps. --Introduction, page 1