Anambra Basin

Anambra Basin is one of the energy-rich inland sedimentary basins in Nigeria.[1]:153 It is a nearly triangular shaped embayment covering about 3000 km2 with a total sedimentary thickness of approximately 9 km.[2]:2[3]:25

Location

The Anambra Basin is situated west of the lower Benue Trough and is often considered youngest formation of the Benue Trough.[4] The basin is bounded to the south by the Niger Delta Basin hinge line.[5] It extends north-westward into the Niger Valley, northward to the Jos Massif and north-eastward into Lafia.[5] The eastern and western limits of the basin are defined by the Abakaliki Anticlinorium and Ibadan massif, respectively.[5]:193 [1]:145

Energy resources

The basin harbours the largest deposit of coal and lignite in Nigeria.[2]:2 Coal mining in Nigeria started in Enugu within the basin. Albert Kitson discovered coal in 1909 at the Udi Ridge, Enugu; turning the region into a strategic British business area.[6][7] Some of the coal mines operated in Enugu included Ogbete, Ribadu, Onyeama, Okaba and Okpara.[7]

The Anambra Basin could be next to the Niger Delta basin in hydrocarbon potentials.[1]:153 In addition to coal, the basin holds an estimated gas potential in the region of 10 trillion cubic feet. The gas reserse is estimated with more than 1000 trillion cubic feet as it remains untapped[8] The Ugwuoba gas fields near Awka, and Igbariam gas fields near Onitsha - an economic hub in the region, contain some of the successfully explored gas wells in the basin.[9] Some of the wells by Shell/BP in the basin include Igbariam-1 and Ajire-1. There are also Akukwa-1 and Akukwa-2 operated between 1938 – 1939 in Ugwuoba.[8][9] Crude oil deposits have also been reported in some parts of Anambra Basin,[2]:1 with estimated 50 or more billion barrels in reserves.[3]:16[8][10]

References
  1. Anthony .S. Ekine; K. M. Onuoha (2008). "Burial History Analysis and Subsidence in the Anambra Basin, Nigeria". Department of Physics University Of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Department of Geology University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. www.ajol.info. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  2. Olubayo Leye Babatunde. "The main oil source formations of the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria". Geology Department, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. www.searchanddiscovery.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  3. Iheanacho Princewill Ugochukwu (2010-09-02). Subsurface Evaluation of Source Rock and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Anambra Basin, South Eastern Nigeria (PDF). Dissertation.com Boca Raton, Florida, USA. www.bookpump.com. ISBN 978-1-59942-339-5. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  4. Obaje Nuhu George; Nuhu George Obaje (2009). "4 - The Benue Trough". Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria. Springer. p. 57. ISBN 978-3-540-92684-9.
  5. Shirley O. Odunze; Gordian C. Obi (April 2013). "Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the Nkporo Group (Campanian–Maastrichtian), Anambra Basin, Nigeria". Journal of Palaeogeography. 2 (2): 192–208. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1261.2013.00026 (inactive 2021-01-17).CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of January 2021 (link)
  6. "Coal Mine in Enugu: The Black Gold". Enugu State Tourism Board. enugustatetourismboard.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  7. "From 1909: Sad tale of Enugu coal industry". Francis Igata. www.vanguardngr.com. March 30, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  8. "Onshore OPL-907". GEC Petroleum Development Company. www.gecpetroleum.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  9. "Onshore OPL-917". GEC Petroleum Development Company. www.gecpetroleum.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  10. "Anambra Basin". Seven Energy. www.sevenenergy.com. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
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