Petrographic and stratigraphic analyses of

Palaeogene Ogwashi-Asaba formation,

Anambra Basin, Nigeria
C. Bassey and O. Eminue
ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPER
An integrated analytical approach comprising petrographic, geochemical, and sedimentological studies was
carried out in thirteen outcrop and four subsurface samples of the Pakaeogene Ogwashi-Asaba Formation in
the Anambra Basin. The goal was inferring about source rock, transport history, tectonic setting,
depositional environment and hydrocarbon potentials. Sandstones are coarse to medium grained,
moderately to poorly sorted, fine to nearly symmetrically skewed. Bivariate plots of skewness against sorting
and sorting against mean size indicate a fluvial depositional environment. Most of the sandstone exhibit
bimodality, which indicated more than one source. Those are lithic arenites comprising 64% rock fragment,
31% quartz, 5% feldspar which suggest that they are mineralogically immature sands. The ternary plot of
the framework elements revealed that they are derived from an orogen which is taken to be a molasse trough
formed between basin and craton. Geochemical analysis showed the prevalence of SiO2 (5.84-84.57%) and
total Fe (12.69-92.07%) over all other oxides. This points to an oxidizing, sub aerial environment, which
favours the formation of hematite. SiO2/A2O3 ratio indicates chemical immatureness. Organic analysis in
lignite gave TOC 1.60-3.13%. Vitrinite dominated maceral suggested has the source potential for gas.
Scatter plots (tissue preservation vs. gelification index) indicated on swamps as depositional environment of
lignite.

Key words: Ogwashi-Asaba Formation, Anambra Basin, Palaeogene, sandstone lithofacies, Nigeria

1. INTRODUCTION
The Anambra Basin (SE Nigeria)
consists of rhythmic clastic se-
quence of sandstones, shales,
siltstones, mudstones and sandy
shales interbedded with coal
seams.32 It covers about 40 000 km2
and a thickness of 6 km. The
Anambra Basin was exploring from
19th century and has been a major
geological centre for coal explora-
tion since 1909. Assessment of pe-
troleum potential has been done,
especially the geochemical evalua-
tion of the shales. The
Ogwashi–Asaba Formation is identi-
fied within the Palaeogene Anambra
Basin, i.e. Afikpo Geosyncline.31
This formation is also referred to as
the Lignite “series”.33 The Formation
is characterized by widely differing
lithologies comprising alternation of
clays, sands, grits and lignites.
Numerous reports exist that de-
scribed the occurrence, areal extent
and economic importance of the lig-
nite seams.1, 3, 4, 5, 13, 17, 33, 37, 47 Those
results asked for defining transport
Fig. 1. Sample Location Map (inserted map of Nigeria showing study area)
history and depositional environ- Sl. 1. Karta lokacija na kojima su uzeti uzorci (karta Nigerije s prikazanim podruèjem
ment of the sediments using their prouèavanja)
lithological/petrographic character-

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istics and textural parameters in order to evaluate the

source and maturity of the various facies and assess-
ment of hydrocarbon potential.

2. GEOLOGIC SETTINGS
The geology of the Anambra Basin has been docu-
mented by various workers.3,16,27 The basin is a
synclinal megastructure located at the southwestern
edge of the Benue Trough in Nigeria (Figure 1). The
proto Anambra Basin was a platform during
Albian–Santonian period with reduced sedimentation.
Major folding episode occurred in the Benue Trough
during Late Cretaceous, i.e. Santonian.10 The
Santonian event uplifted Abakaliki–Benue Trough into
Abakiliki Anticlinorium, and created the Anambra Ba-
sin.3, 25, 37, 41 Today basin included 6 km thick sedi-
ments of Campanian to Miocene ages. Structurally, it is
located between Cretaceous Benue Trough and
Delta.24, 32 Sedimentation in the Anambra Basin contin-
ued with Campanian-Maastrichtian marine and
paralic sediments of the Nkporo/Enugu Shales and the
Owelli Sandstones. These formations are overlain by
Mamu Formation (lower coals measure), Ajali Sand-
stone, Nsukka Formation (upper coal measure), Imo
Formation, Ameki Formation and Ogwashi–Asaba For-
mation (Figure 2). Sediments in the Anambra Basin
are of continental, fluvial and shallow marine type.3, 29, Fig. 2. Stratigraphic subdivision of Abakaliki-Anambra-Afikpo
31, 32 Basin for Early Cretaceous-Tertiary strata in the
south-eastern Nigeria (modified from ref.27)
The Ogwashi–Asaba Formation is identified within Sl. 2. Stratigrafska rašèlamba bazena Abakaliki-Anambra-Afikpo za
the Palaeocene Anambra Basin (Afikpo geosynyn- razdoblje od donje krede do tercijara u jugozapadnoj Nigeriji
cline).31 The formation is characterized by alternation (modificirano prema ref.27)
of clays, sands, grits and lignites.12, 47 The formation
occurs mainly in Benin, Asaba, Onitsha and Owerri ar-
eas (Figure 1). centiles of f5, f16, f25, f50, f75, f84 and f95. Maceral analy-
sis was conducted on three lignite samples. The samples
Reyment37 suggested Oligocene–Miocene age for this were crushed and pulverized into a mesh of 1.18 – 1.16
formation, but palynological results by the work of mm. Hardener and epoxy at a ratio of 1:3 was prepared.
Cherie et al.21 assigned a Middle Eocene age to the basal Standard laboratory techniques of digesting sediments
part. The Ogwashi–Asaba Formation is a surface lateral with potassium dichromate and sulphuric acid were
equivalent of the Agbada Formation which occurs in the used to process samples for the TOC analysis according
subsurface of the Niger Delta.6, 7, 41 to Wackley-Black46 Wet Oxidation method. The oxides of
Al, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Si, Ca and Mn were determined using
3. METHODOLOGY the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) method of
Field data were taken from successive outcrops at quar- the Swiss buck 2000 model.
ries, valleys and river/stream channels, and measured to
gather information on the rock types and their stratigra- 4. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION
phy. Samples are taken from Asaba, Azagba-Ogwashi, Results of all analytical techniques in the study are pre-
Okpana and Ibusa areas (Figure 1). Data about texture, sented below. A critical assessment of each set of the re-
colour, grain size, thickness, sedimentary structures, sults has aided its proper interpretation and discussion.
rock types and logs are collected.
A total of 17 samples were selected for laboratory anal-
4.1. Results
yses of granulometry, petrography and organic com- The summary of calculated results from grain size analy-
pounds (TOC and maceral). The granulometric studies sis is presented in Table 1. The graphic mean size (M) for
were carried out with nine samples of unconsolidated the sandstone varies from 0.10 to 2.20 with an average
sandstone in a set of stacked British standard mesh mean size of 0.98, which is coarse. Inclusive graphic
sieves comprising 1180, 1000, 850, 600, 212 and 75 mi- standard deviation (Si) ranges from 0.82 to 1.91 suggest-
crons, shaken by a Ro–Tap Shaker. Techniques adopted ing moderately to poorly sorted sandstones. Inclusive
for graphic construction of frequency curves are as given graphic skewness values (SK1) of –0.07 to 0.84 indicate
by Agagu.2 Mathematical solutions are as proposed by near symmetrical to very fine skewed. The grain size dis-
Friedman19 and Lindholm.23 Mean diameter, standard tribution values plotted on histograms show predomi-
deviation, skewness and kurtosis values were calculated nantly bimodal pattern. The non-normal kurtosis values
using linear interpolation of the cumulative weight per- recorded here are characteristics of bimodal sediments

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Table 1. Summary of Calculated Results of Grain Size Analysis

(d1) (SK1)
(KG)
f 50 M Standard Inclusive
S/N Sample No Graphic Interpretation
median Mean deviation graphic
kurtosis
(sorting) skewness
1 OGS/1/003 1.60 1.60 1.12 -0.07 0.93 Medium grained, poorly sorted, near symmetrical, mesokurtic
Coarse grained, moderately sorted, very fine skewed,
2 OGS/2/003 0.65 0.81 0.86 0.37 1.28
leptokurtic
Coarse grained, moderately sorted, very fine skewed,
3 OGS/3/003 0.57 0.66 0.82 0.17 1.05
mesokurtic
Medium grained, moderately sorted, near symmetrical,
4 OGS/1/004 1.77 1.78 0.87 -0.01 1.20
leptokurtic
5 OGS/2/004 1.75 2.20 1.91 0.39 1.31 Fine grained, poorly sorted, very fine skewed, leptokurtic
Medium grained, moderately sorted, coarse skewed,
6 OGS 221 – 250 1.10 1.03 0.83 -0.16 1.08
mesokurtic
Coarse grained, moderately sorted, near symmetrical,
7 OGS 93 – 122 0.22 0.23 0.89 0.01 0.83
platokurtic
8 OGS 138 – 174 0.38 0.38 1.01 0.40 1.03 Coarse grained, poorly sorted, very fine skewed, mesokurtic
9 OGS 205 - 221 0.12 0.10 1.01 0.48 1.02 Coarse grained, poorly sorted, very fine skewed, mesokurtic

Table 2a. Result of Thin Section Analysis Showing Mineralogical Composition

Sample Monocrystalline Quartz Feldspar Rock Fragment Cement Matrix

S/N
No % % % % %
1 OGS/1/002 30.0 2.9 9.0 55.6 2.5
2 OGS/2/002 10.0 8.5 42.5 38.5 0.5
3 OGS/3/002 8.0 9.5 47.0 27.5 8.0
4 OGS/1/003 23.0 4.5 42.2 9.8 20.5
5 OGS/2/003 50.0 2.9 34.3 9.3 3.5
6 OGS/3/003 60.0 3.1 27.4 7.5 2.0
7 OGS/1/004 35.0 4.2 41.8 4.5 14.5
8 OGS/2/004 48.0 3.8 23.0 8.5 16.7
9 OGS/3/004 18.5 5.6 8.5 5.7 61.7

Table 2b. Recalculated Percentage of Quartz, Feldspar, Rock Fragment and MMI

Sample Quartz Feldspar Rock Fragment MMI

S/N
No % % % %
1 OGS/1/002 30.0 2.9 67.1 0.43
2 OGS/2/002 10.0 8.5 81.5 0.11
3 OGS/3/002 8.0 9.5 82.5 0.09
4 OGS/1/003 23.0 4.5 72.5 0.30
5 OGS/2/003 50.0 2.9 47.1 1.00
6 OGS/3/003 60.0 3.1 36.9 1.50
7 OGS/1/004 35.0 4.2 60.8 0.54
8 OGS/2/004 48.0 3.8 48.2 0.92
9 OGS/3/004 18.5 5.6 75.9 0.23

even where such modes are not evident in the frequency elements adopted from Pettijohn35, allowed sandstones
curves.42 to be classified as lithic arenite (Figure 3). The feldspars
The mineralogical composition of framework compo- found in the sand are detrital and are made up of
nents of the sandstones and other minerals are pre- potassic and sodic feldspars. Silica cement is present in
sented in Tables 2a and 2b. Quartz is 31%, rock fragment the form of microcrystalline and crystalline aggregates in
is 64% and feldspar is 5%. Ternary plot of the framework pores and as overgrowth on silica grains. The quartz

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contents are from 4.1 to 12.4% (mean = 7.1%). The re-

sult shows that the lignites are vitrinite dominated coal
lithofacies. The Tissue Preservation Index (TPI) and
Gelification Index (GI) were also determined from
maceral composition according to Diesel15:
GI=(Vitrinite + Macrinite)/(Semifusinite + Fusinite +
Intertodetrinite) (1)

TPI=(Vitrinite A + Semifusinite + Fusinite)/(Vitrinite B +

Macrinite + Intertodetrinite) (2)

The calculated GI values range between 9.3 and 34.4

while TPI values ranges from 0.1 to 0.2, where vitrinite A
and B are considered as humotellinite and humocollinite
respectively.
4.2. Interpretation
An integration of the results from all the different analyti-
cal techniques employed led to a more reliable interpre-
tation and discussion of the transport history and
depositional environment of the Ogwashi-Asaba Forma-
tion. This has greatly enhanced the evaluation of the
source and maturity of its various facies, and thus as-
Fig. 3. Ternary plot of framework composition of sandstones sessed their hydrocarbon potentials.
in the study area (after ref.35) 4.2.1. Transport history
Sl. 3. Trojni (ternarni) prikaz sastava pješèenjaka prouèavanog
podruèja (prema ref.35) The size of clastic sediments generally tends to decrease
down current, although strong river current may carry
large pebbles or coarse-grained detritus a long distance
grains are rounded to subrounded while some exhibit away from their source, while the finest clay and silt are
embayed shapes which points to compaction of the sedi- (found in playa lakes) deposited closer to source area.
ments. Therefore, grain size depends largely on current velocity
and paleorelief topography.
The relative abundance of major elements revealed
dominance of SiO2, Al2O3 and total Fe for the sandstones Fifty six percent of the sandstones are fine skewed
(Table 3). On contrary, low values of MnO2, Na2O, K2O, which shows that the velocity of depositing current was
CaO and MgO were recorded. Those data suggest that the lower than the average velocity responsible for the depo-
sediments are aluminous and alkali, metally poor. Such sition of medium to coarse-grained fraction.38 It also sug-
attribute is typical for lithic arenites.34 SiO2 values, rang- gests a unidirectional currents and selective deposition
ing between 84.01 and 40.35wt.%, have been reported for those sandstones. The moderate to poor sorting is in-
for lithic arenites associated with coal formation.36 dicative of short episodes of transportation and water
level fluctuation of the depositing current. The high per-
Results of lignites TOC analysis are shown on Table 4. centage of sedimentary rock fragments in the form of
Average TOC value is 2.21%. Maceral compositions of the cherts clearly shows that the sediments have experienced
lignites are shown on Table 5. Humanite (vitrinte) con- a short transportation history and intense chemical
tent ranges from 83.7 to 94.4 (mean=87.8%). Liptinite weathering because chert-rich sands, in most cases sig-
contents are from 1.5 to 2.3% (mean=5.13%). Inertinites nify a very local (deposition almost “in situ”) origin.18 A

Table 3. Major Elemental Concentration of Ogwashi - Asaba Formation

S/N Sample No. MnO2, wt% Na2O, wt% K2O, wt% CaO, wt% MgO, wt% Total Fe, wt% SiO2, wt% Al2O3, wt% Rock Type
1 OGS/2/001 0.03 0.26 0.16 TRACE 0.03 67.45 3.71 28.18 Claystone
2 OGS/4/003 0.02 0.81 1.09 TRACE 0.25 27.29 34.44 36.38 Claystone
3 OGS/1/002 0.01 0.37 0.54 TRACE 0.12 60.12 37.90 1.16 Sandstone
4 OGS/2/002 TRACE 0.27 0.21 0.01 0.05 81.65 17.50 1.73 Sandstone
5 OGS/3/002 0.01 0. 20 0.21 0.02 0.08 92.07 5.84 1.55 Sandstone
6 OGS/1/003 0.02 0.82 1.20 TRACE 0.23 59.72 29.95 8.27 Sandstone
7 OGS/2/003 0.02 5.55 1.95 TRACE 0.26 23.96 64.49 3.74 Sandstone
8 OGS/3/003 0.01 0.54 0.40 TRACE 0.18 12.69 84.57 1.36 Sandstone
9 OGS/1/004 0.02 0.95 1.09 TRACE 0.30 35.84 56.05 5.46 Sandstone
10 OGS/2/004 0.02 0.90 0.91 TRACE 0.18 23.33 67.60 7.06 Sandstone

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Table 4. Result of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analysis

TOC Average TOC

S/N Sample No
% %
1 OGS/1/001 1.60
2 OGS/005 1.90 2.21
3 OGS/006 3.13

more intense weathering in the source area could have

led to decomposition of feldspar, hence their low content
downstream. The rounded to sub-rounded quartz grains
are probably resulting of erosion before deposition. This
is confirmed with the observation of rounded quartz
overgrowth and micro quartz bubbles filled with liquid.18
4.2.2. Maturity of sandstones as measure of stable Fig. 4. Ternary plot of framework models for sandstones of
rock end-state Ogwashi-Asaba formation (modified after ref.14)
Maturity, which measures the approach of clastic sedi- Sl. 4. Trojni (ternarni) prikaz modela pješèenjaka
ment towards the stable end-state, is expressed textur- Ogwashi-Asaba formacije (modificirano prema ref.14)
ally, mineralogically and chemically. It is one of the most
important keys to understanding the nature of lief) but with relatively flat zones, some inter-stream ar-
depositional environment, providing descriptive termi- eas may remain. Erosion of these areas yield maturely
nologies that indicate the effectiveness of sedimentary weathered detritus. This is usually the case with river
process, such as winnowing, sorting and abrasion of de- system that opens into a platform or shallow basin above
tritus. The sandstones of analysed formation are textur- sea level. The coexistence of rounded quartz grains and
ally immature and have relatively high percentage of clay clays in the sediments readily supports this point. The
(>5%) and high sorting values (>1.0f) as defined in ternary plot of framework modes (QFR) for sandstones
Folk.18 The mineralogical maturity index (MMI) ranges of this formation14 reveals their tectonic setting to be that
from 0.09 to 1.50 (Table 2b) showing that the sediments of a recycle orogen provenance (Figure 4). This prove-
are mineralogically immature based on the numerical nance is thought to be a reworked materials from a
scale of mineralogical maturity proposed by Nwajide and molasse trough formed between the basin and the
Hoque.28 craton. Lithic sandstones have been reported from inte-
According to Hayes20, sublithic and subarkosic arenites rior tectonic lands (in contrast to craton) associated with
are both mechanically and chemically unstable. Based molasses facies resulting from orogenic uplift of a
on the fact that alumina, being the least mobile oxide, geosyncline or subduction margins. This explanation can
persists in sediments even beyond a single cycle of sedi- be linked to the uplift of the Ikang Trough in the Calabar
mentation. The silica-alumina ratio of argillaceous sedi- Flank47 and the subsequent deposition of sediments in
ments (e.g. sandstones) therefore may be used as a upper delta front of the Niger Delta Basin.
chemical index of maturity.22,34 The SiO2/Al2O3 ratio aver-
4.2.4 Depositional environment
ages 3.80, hence the sandstones are chemically imma-
ture. In this study, the depositional environment is interpreted
in terms of the maceral composition, TOC content, tex-
4.2.3 Source rock tectonic setting tual parameters and lithofacies.8,26,30 The probable infer-
The erosion of areas with high relief usually yields imma- ence from the statistical grain size distribution
ture and poorly sorted sediments due to turbulence and parameters, couple with bivariate plots of skewness
rapid deposition. However, in areas of high altitudes (re- against sorting19 and plots of sorting versus mean size

Table 5. Result of Maceral Analysis Showing Maceral Composition of Lignites From Study Area

S/N Sample No Vitrinite Humotellinite Humocollinite Humodetrinite Liptinite Sporinite Cutinite

1 OGS/1/001 85.3 3.2 20.6 61.5 2.3 0.4 0.3
2 OGS/005 83.7 1.5 10.1 72.1 11.6 1.6 7.9
3 OGS/006 94.4 2.1 10.0 82.3 1.5 0.5 0.2

Resinite Liptodetrinite Alginite Inertinite Fusinite Semifusinite Inertodetrinite Macrinite Total

1.6 - - 12.4 3.7 - 5.8 2.9 100.0
2.1 0.2 - 4.7 - - 2.5 2.2 100.0
0.3 0.5 - 4.1 - 0.7 2.3 1.1 100.0

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nant in peat swamps due to poor water circu-

lation and intense biological degradation
which restrict respiration to anaerobic bac-
teria/microbes.
In order to assess the type of depositional
environment for the lignites, maceral data
are evaluated in the light of different swamp
types and the resulting dominant maceral
thus illustrated with Teichmuller44 and coal
facies diagram.15 The swamp and moor types
described by Teichmuller44 is based on the
premise that characteristic plants occur in
each swamp type and their remains can be
identified petrographically by maceral and
lithotype analysis. The huminite-liptinite-
inertinite plot for lignites in the study area in-
dicates a reed marsh swamp deposition (Fig-
ure 7). The environment characterization
Fig. 5. Bivariate plot of graphic skewness versus graphic standard deviation
based on the plot of tissues preservation in-
(after ref.19) dex (TPI) and gelification index (GI) suggests
Sl. 5. Dvomjerni prikaz grafièke asimetriènosti nasuprot grafièke standardne their formation in a marsh or lake swamp
devijacije (prema ref.19) environment. Earlier sedimentological stud-
ies have emphasized the dominance of
paralic (fluvial and deltaic) environment for
(Figures 5 and 6) is that the sandstones were deposited lithofacies of the coal. These environments are believed
in a palaeo-fluvial environment. The presence of argilla- to be dominated by alternating high and low ground wa-
ceous, arenaceous and carbonaceous materials within ter table which facilitated the growth of reed (marsh)
the same formation connotes an association of sedi- swamps in lower inland delta plain.4,32
ments formed in varying local environments including
those of the alluvial fan, delta, prodelta and swamp envi- 4.2.5. Hydrocarbon source potential
ronments. The dominant vitrinite maceral when compared with the
The cyclic fining upward sequence of the Ogwashi- kerogen type on the van Krevelen diagram of Tissot et
Asaba Formation sediments appears to be of a local ex- al.45 shows predominance of type III kerogen which is
tent which suggests migration of a river channels across dominantly gas generating. This is supported by the fact
its floodplain.9 Therefore the sequence owes its cyclicity that the dominant vitrinite group is derived from lignin
to channel switching (avulsion) as the river mi- and cellulose containing plant organic matter with poten-
grates/aggrades over its floodplain.31 The occurrence of tial for generating gas. The liptinite maceral corresponds
both fining and coarsening upward sequences results to type II organic material that is transformed into type II
from a fluvio-delta deposition, triggered by a gradual kerogene, which has potential to generate both oil and
progradation of a river over the delta.39 The upper delta gas. The inertinite maceral group which corresponds to
plain tends to favour accumulation of coal
but with wide variation in thickness and is
prone to channel cut off; a process signifi-
cant for the occurrence of lignite in this for-
mation, which are in all places bordered by
mudstones. The lignite beds and dissemi-
nated carbonaceous detritus were contem-
poraneously formed in palaeo-swamp.40 The
extensively mudstones of the overbank
floodplain indicates deposition in subaerial
conditions.

However, the coal facies contradicts a

wholly oxidizing (acidic) condition, rather
there was a variation in oxidation–reduction
potential (Eh) of the environment. A highly
reducing condition must have prevailed in
the swamps among meanders and in the
inter-channel areas of the delta. TOC values
of the lignites are higher than 1% which indi-
cate an anoxic environment of deposition.11 Fig. 6. Plot of sorting versus mean size (ref.18)
In such environment, bottom water masses Sl. 6. Prikaz sortiranja nasuprot srednje velièine (ref.18)
are depleted of oxygen; a situation predomi-

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The sandstones are texturally, chemically and mineral-

ogically immature as they are poorly to moderately
sorted with a high argillaceous content of greater than 5%
and low SiO2/Al2O2 ratio having a mean of 3.80, as well as
a low Q/F+R value in the range of 0.14 to 2.61. It was in-
ferred from the rounded to subrounded quartz grains
and their overgrowths that the sediments are a second
cycle type.
The occurrence of clastic carbonaceous sediments,
coupled with ferrugunisation of the clastics signifies
co-existing oxidizing and reducing conditions in the
depositional environment. Reducing condition must
have prevailed in the swamps of the meander system and
abandoned peat swamps of the upper deltaic plain, thus
enhancing the formation of lignites with high TOC values.
However oxidation in the main channel of the meander
led to the redness of the sandstones and clay (or mud)
Fig. 7. Huminite-liptinite-inertinite plot for the Ogwashi observed in most of the study area. Both fining and
Asaba lignites (adapted from ref.44) coarsening upward sequences displayed by the sand-
Sl. 7. Graf huminit-liptinit-internit za Ogwashi Asaba lignite
(modificirano prema ref.44)
stones depicts a fluvio-deltaic deposition.
An elucidation of the various sub-environments has
been deduced based on critical assessment of the various
type IV kerogen that is considered as “dead source rock” lithofacies. The basal conglomerates are taken to be
is composed mainly of recycled or oxidized organic mate- channel lag deposit overlain by decreasing sand size
rials. It can therefore be concluded from maceral compo- clastics of the point bar as the velocity of deposition
sition of the samples from the study area that the wanes. The mudstones are proven to be the product of
kerogen is mainly type III which is formed from humic low velocity of deposition on the floodplain and ox-bow
organic matter derived from terrestrial plant material lakes. The associated lignites are typical sediments in
having a continental source with very little contribution marsh or swamp environments.
from marine organic matter.
TOC analysis of the lignites showed that they are quite
rich in terrigenous organic matter as exemplified by the
The chemical nature of different kinds of maceral in re- dominance of vitrinite macerals over liptinite and
lation to the thermal history of a basin is an important inertinite groups. This maceral corresponds to type III
aspect in predicting its oil and gas occurrence.11 The level kerogen and as such have every potential to generate gas.
of maturity can be determined by correlating kerogen Therefore the lignites are coal gas-bearing, an unconven-
type with corresponding maceral group.30 Type III tional source rock.
kerogene within catagenesis stage is characterised by
vitrinite reflectance (Ro) of 0.5 to1.35, and temperature
between 150 and 200 °C.43

5. RESULTS REVIEW AND

CONCLUSIONS
The Anambra Basin in SE Nigeria is made up of Creta-
ceous to Miocene sediments with the Ogwashi-Asaba For-
mation capping the basin in the research area. The study
area covers Ibusa, Azagba-Ogwashi, Okpanam and
Asaba regions. Three main lithofacies are described.
These are lignite, sandstone, and mudstone. Grain size
analysis shows that the sandstones are dominantly
coarse to medium grained and of mainly bimodal distri-
bution. They also exhibit near symmetrical to very fine
skewness. This implies that the velocity of current that
deposited the fine sediments was lower than the preva-
lent velocity. Generally, the sands showed moderate to
poor sorting and predominance of sedimentary rock
fragments which indicates a brief transport history from
a high relief. The sediments display mesokurtic to
leptokurtic behaviour, which is diagnostic of reworked
sediment. Bivariate plots of skewness against sorting
and sorting against mean size show fluvially transported
sands in a continental environment.

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and evolution. Friedrich Vieweg and Sohue, Braunchloeigh/Wiesbaden, pp.

6. References 19 – 38.
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