Structural & Stratigraphic Evolution of the Rio Del Rey Basin (Cameroon) - Field Development & New Exploration Potential

Abstract

We present a new analysis of the Rio del Rey sub-basin of Niger Delta (offshore Cameroon), where analysis of legacy seismic and well data has been integrated using a play based exploration approach to evaluate the remaining potential in the basin. We focus on the Thali block, which has an exploration history extending back to the 1970’s with three discoveries in shallow prospects. However, poor understanding of reservoir, charge and cross-fault seal has resulted in unpredicted results and no field development to date. We demonstrate how improved understanding of the complex interrelationship between evolving deep-water gravitational structures and stratigraphy, incorporating newly reprocessed seismic, has been applied to produce a new development plan for the Thali block and expose significant new exploration potential in deeper plays, which are prolific elsewhere in the region.