The Niger delta oil province includes about 40,000 square miles underlain by thick Tertiary deltaic deposits. These have been subdivided into three formations: at the surface, the continental, sandy Benin Formation; the intermediate and transitional Agbada Formation of alternating sandstone and shale; and, at the base, the marine, shaly Akata Formation. The principal oil discoveries have been made in the Agbada Formation.

The accumulations are controlled largely by growth faults and rollover anticlines which are located primarily by seismic surveys. Exploration drilling on these structures has been highly successful. By mid-1966, there were 136 discoveries of 261 wildcats drilled for Tertiary objectives.

Subsequent development drilling has proved equally encouraging. The most productive onshore field, Bomu, and the first commercial offshore field, Okan, are described. Both fields have active water drives, production per well averaging about 3,000 BOPD. Production in Nigeria has increased from 5,100 BOPD in 1958 to 350,000 BOPD during the first half of 1966. It is expected that the daily rate will exceed 500,000 barrels before the end of 1966.

Parallel with this production buildup, exploration activities should continue at a high level, not only in the Niger delta oil province, but also in the area of possible Cretaceous objectives bordering the delta.

End_of_Article - Last_Page 464------------