Determination of hydrocarbon potentials in Masu area northeastern Nigeria using forward and inverse modeling of aeromagnetic and aerogravity data

Abstract

Aeromagnetic and aerogravity data covering Masu area, which lies within latitudes 12°00′ to 13°00′ North and longitudes 12°30′ to 14°00′ East in Nigerian sector of Chad Basin have been interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively. Regional-residual separation was carried out by applying polynomial fitting (first order), which was fitted by least square method. First order was used because it is the best regional fit for our data as it reflected the available geological information of the area. The residual values of both magnetic and Bouguer anomalies obtained were used to produce the residual magnetic intensity and residual gravity maps respectively. These maps show intrusive basement rocks in the eastern part of Masu. The forward and inverse of aeromagnetic data modeling estimated basement depths for profiles P1 and P2 were 4300 and 1195 m, with respective magnetic susceptibility values of 0.0003 and 0.0250, which indicate minerals like limestone and marble. Similarly, the estimated basement depths from the forward and inverse of aerogravity data modeling are 6524 and 4312 m for P1 and P2 with density contrasts of 0.72 and 0.255 g/cm3. The results from this work indicate that the area has some geologic features suitable for hydrocarbon and mineral deposits. Hence, further geophysical researches need to be carried out to ascertain the type of minerals existing in the area.