Estimation of magnetic depth to source using high resolution of aeromagnetic data of parts of Upper Benue Trough, North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

A detailed quantitative interpretation of high resolution aeromagnetic data covering latitude 9.0^oN – 10.0^oN and longitude 11.0^oE – 12.0^oE with a total area of 12,100km² which corresponds to parts of upper Benue Trough (Kaltungo, Guyok, Lau and Dong) Northeast, Nigeria has been carried out using Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) and Standard Euler Deconvolution methods for the purpose of estimating the sedimentary thickness of the study area for hydrocarbon maturation or accumulation. The polynomial fitting with order one method was applied in the regional–residual separation. Further analysis was conducted on the residual map. The SPI results revealed a maximum sedimentary thickness of 4908.178m while Standard Euler Deconvolution results also revealed a depth of 4050.1 m. Therefore, the highest sedimentary thickness of the study was found around Wafango, Dong and Lau region of the study area with shallow thickness of 741.108m to 1162.154m around Biliri, Tula and Kaltungo down to Lankoviri in Southern region of the study area. Consequently, the highest sedimentary thickness of about 4908.17 m from SPI and 4050.1 m from Standard Euler deconvolution is sufficient enough for hydrocarbon maturation or accumulation. These areas with maximum sedimentary thickness may be subjected for further geophysical investigation like seismic reflection/refraction, so as to affirm its hydrocarbon potential.