Anambra Basin Explained

Anambra Basin is one of the energy-rich inland sedimentary basins in Nigeria. It is a nearly triangular shaped embayment covering about 3000 km2 with a total sedimentary thickness of approximately 9 km. The Basin lying between 6°–7.8°N latitude and 6°40'–7°30'E longitude, is an area of agricultural and fisheries production. Fish species of genus Clarias are common in the basin especially in the dry season.[1]

Location

The Anambra Basin is situated west of the lower Benue Trough and is often considered the youngest formation of the Benue Trough.[2] The basin is bounded to the south by the Niger Delta Basin hinge line. It extends north-westward into the Niger Valley, northward to the Jos Massif and north-eastward into Lafia. The eastern and western limits of the basin are defined by the Abakaliki Anticlinorium and Ibadan massif, respectively.[3] [4]

Energy resources

The basin harbours the largest deposit of coal and lignite in Nigeria.[5] 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.[4] 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 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.[8] 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] Crude oil deposits have also been reported in some parts of Anambra Basin,[5] with estimated 50 or more billion barrels in reserves.[9] [10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SEMINAR ON RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT / SEMINAIRE SUR L'AMENAGEMENT ET LA MISE EN VALEUR DES BASSINS FLUVIAUX . 2022-03-12 . www.fao.org.
  2. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=U1VBp7aItooC&pg=PA57. 4 - The Benue Trough. 57. Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria. Obaje Nuhu George . Nuhu George Obaje . Springer. 2009. 978-3-540-92684-9.
  3. Sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy of the Nkporo Group (Campanian–Maastrichtian), Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Shirley O. Odunze. Gordian C. Obi. Journal of Palaeogeography. April 2013. 2. 2. 192–208. 10.3724/SP.J.1261.2013.00026. 31 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Burial History Analysis and Subsidence in the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. Anthony .S. Ekine. K. M. Onuoha. Department of Physics University Of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Department of Geology University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. www.ajol.info. 2008. 2. 1. September 20, 2016.
  5. Web site: The main oil source formations of the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria. Olubayo Leye Babatunde. Geology Department, University of Ibadan, Nigeria . www.searchanddiscovery.com . June 22, 2016.
  6. Web site: Coal Mine in Enugu: The Black Gold. Enugu State Tourism Board. enugustatetourismboard.com. September 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160918234448/http://enugustatetourismboard.com/p.php?t=coal-mine-in-enugu-the-black-gold&id=68. September 18, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  7. Web site: From 1909: Sad tale of Enugu coal industry. Francis Igata. www.vanguardngr.com. March 30, 2016 . September 18, 2016.
  8. Web site: Onshore OPL-917. GEC Petroleum Development Company. www.gecpetroleum.com. September 18, 2016. October 12, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161012035537/http://www.gecpetroleum.com/operations/opl-917/. dead.
  9. Book: Subsurface Evaluation of Source Rock and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Anambra Basin, South Eastern Nigeria. Iheanacho Princewill Ugochukwu. Dissertation.com Boca Raton, Florida, USA. 978-1-59942-339-5. www.bookpump.com. June 22, 2016. 2010-09-02.
  10. Web site: Onshore OPL-907 . GEC Petroleum Development Company . www.gecpetroleum.com . June 22, 2016 . June 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160617070215/http://www.gecpetroleum.com/operations/opl-907/ . dead .
  11. Web site: Anambra Basin. Seven Energy. www.sevenenergy.com. June 22, 2016. August 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160806230732/http://www.sevenenergy.com/operations/upstream/anambra-basin. dead.

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