Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Paleoenvironment of Ovia-1 Well, Northern Depobelt of Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

Authors

Keywords:

Age determination, Biozonation, Paleodepositional environment

Abstract

The Ovia-1 well located in the Northern Depobelt, Niger Delta Basin was investigated based on Gamma Ray log, Lithostratigraphy, foraminifera and nanno fossil biostratigraphy. This is aimed to determine biostratigraphic distribution, age and paleodepositional environment of the studied intervals. Based on the foraminfera, the marker species identified are Quinqueloculina microcostata, Amphistegina lessonii, Heterostegina sp, Lenticulina inornata, ex gr. costiferum, Heterolepa pseudoungeriana, Hanzawaia stratoni, Spirosigmoilina oligocaenica, and Cibicorbis inflata. Twelve (12) biozones identified are N15 – N14 (middle Miocene middle Miocene 12.26 – 13.12Ma),  ( N13 – N12/N11 middle Miocene  13.12 – 13.68Ma ) N9 – N10/N11 middle Miocene 14.20 – 15.6Ma) ( N4 - P22 early Miocene 20.94 –23.2Ma ) (  P17-P18 early Oligocene 33.0 – 36.50Ma ) ( P14  middle Eocene 36.50 – 43.2Ma ) P12 middle Eocene 41.0 – 43.2Ma ) ( P4 late Paleocene 56.8 – 57.3Ma) ( P1 – M18 early Paleocene 64.6 – 65.0Ma  respectively ). The paleoecological interpretation, based on the identified plantic foraminiferal species, indicates Inner Neritic to Outer Neritic zones. Lithostratigraphic criteria including Gamma Ray log responses and sand/shale ratios supported by paleobathymetric data indicate that the Ovia-1 have well, have two broad lithofacies units -the Marine Paralic and the Marine Units, which are ascribed to the Agbada Formation, Lithological analysis revealed alternating layers of shale, and sand, reflecting different paleoenvironmental conditions during deposition. The age of the well was established as Middle to Late Miocene, based on the bioevents of key marker species. Additionally, the limited presence of calcareous benthic and planktonic foraminifera supports the interpretation of a shallow marine depositional setting.

Dimensions

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Simplified diagram illustrating the regional stratigraphy of the Niger Delta (modified from Corredor et al., 2005)

Published

2025-12-12

How to Cite

Salisu, M., Yandoka, B. M. S., & Raheem, M. O. (2025). Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Paleoenvironment of Ovia-1 Well, Northern Depobelt of Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. Journal of Science Research and Reviews, 2(5), 162-174. https://doi.org/10.70882/josrar.2025.v2i5.128

How to Cite

Salisu, M., Yandoka, B. M. S., & Raheem, M. O. (2025). Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Paleoenvironment of Ovia-1 Well, Northern Depobelt of Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. Journal of Science Research and Reviews, 2(5), 162-174. https://doi.org/10.70882/josrar.2025.v2i5.128