Regional geology and geophysics of the eastern Gulf of Guinea (Niger Delta to Rio Muni)

The safe delivery of operations in offshore province is dependent on the availability of high fidelity information of the geological state of the sea floor. Sediments and sedimentary processes determine the sea bed composition and bathymetry. The study was done in the inner shelf environment of Gulf of Guinea, in Niger Delta. The acoustic equipment used is side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler and they work with geophysical principles of sea floor sediments acoustic reflectivity and refraction. The acquisition, processing and interpretation of data reveal the existence of gas charged sediments between the sea bed and the lithified layer(strong seismo stratigraphic layer) and the existence of genetically related depressions with surrounding rings of sand called pock marks which vary between 3 m-10 m in diameter on the sea floor. The gas charged sediments thickness ranges from 20 m-25 m. The areas of the ‘Semob’ fields that have gas charged sediments and pock marks are liable to endanger the installation and safety of subsea facilities, offshore operations and sea going vessels. Therefore, are geohazards areas and should be avoided.

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Aeromagnetic anomalies and discordant lineations beneath the Niger Delta: Implication for new fracture zones and multiple sea-floor spreading directions in the “meso-Atlantic” Gulf of Guinea cul-de-sac

Geophysical Research Letters ◽

10.1029/91gl01236 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 1107-1110 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Olufemi Oladapo Babalola ◽

Mack Gipson

Keyword(s):

Niger Delta ◽

Gulf Of Guinea ◽

Fracture Zones ◽

Aeromagnetic Anomalies ◽

Sea Floor ◽

Sea Floor Spreading

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West Africa anti-piracy push faces multiple obstacles

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db207470 ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Niger Delta ◽

Maritime Security ◽

Gulf Of Guinea ◽

Gulf Of Aden ◽

Actual Number ◽

Regional Trade ◽

Content Type ◽

Security Services ◽

Multiple Obstacles

Subject Outlook for maritime security in West Africa. Significance According to International Maritime Bureau (IMB) statistics, reported incidents of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Guinea are declining. From January to September 2015, 24 incidents occurred, against 33 in 2014 and 47 in 2013. However, the IMB acknowledges that the actual number could be much higher, posing significant threats to regional trade, 90% of which is conducted by sea. Impacts China's planned base in Djibouti will help its anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden, while raising concerns on its military aims. The AU maritime security summit in March 2016 will probably produce new anti-piracy commitments, but implementation will lag. Nigeria's planned 'rehabilitation' programmes for former Niger Delta militants are unlikely to dissuade them from illicit activities. Its navy's recent signing of 29 deals with private firms for security services will augment its improved hardware and surveillance capacity.

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