Structural interpretation of High-resolution aeromagnetic data over the Dahomey basin, Nigeria: implications for hydrocarbon prospectivity

Abstract The renewed quest to boost Nigeria’s dwindling reserves through aggressive search for oil and gas deposits in Cretaceous sedimentary basins has re-ignited the need re-evaluate hydrocarbon potentials of Dahomey Basin. Aeromagnetic data are a low-cost geophysical tool deployed mapping regional basement structures determination depths thickness frontier basin exploration. In this study, high-resolution aeromagnetic (HRAM) covering Basin Nigeria have been interpreted map structural configuration identify mini-basins favorable prospectivity. total magnetic intensity grid was reduced equator (RTE) edge detection filters including first vertical derivative (FVD), horizontal (THDR), tilt (TDR) upward continuation (THDR_UC)) were applied RTE locate edges contacts geological basin. Depth sources estimated using source parameter imaging (SPI) method. Data interpretation results revealed shallow deep-seated linear features trending NNE-SSW, NE-SW, NW-SE WNW-ESE directions. SPI showed rugged topography which depicted horst-graben architecture on 2D forward models along some selected profiles. Two ranging between 4.5 – 6.3km mapped offshore study area. It appears holds greater promises occurrence due presence thicker succession identified mini-basins.