Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon Exploration

The southwestern coastal region of Cameroon is an area of interest because of its hydrocarbon potential (gas and oil). Terrestrial and satellite gravity data were combined and analyzed to provide a better precision in determining the structure of the study area. Firstly, the two gravity databases (i...

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Main Authors: Paul Gautier Kamto, Willy Lemotio, Alain-Pierre Kamga Tokam, Loudi Yap
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:International Journal of Geophysics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5554528
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author Paul Gautier Kamto
Willy Lemotio
Alain-Pierre Kamga Tokam
Loudi Yap
author_facet Paul Gautier Kamto
Willy Lemotio
Alain-Pierre Kamga Tokam
Loudi Yap
author_sort Paul Gautier Kamto
collection DOAJ
description The southwestern coastal region of Cameroon is an area of interest because of its hydrocarbon potential (gas and oil). Terrestrial and satellite gravity data were combined and analyzed to provide a better precision in determining the structure of the study area. Firstly, the two gravity databases (in situ and satellite) have been coupled and validated using the least square collocation technique. Then, spectral analysis was applied to the combined Bouguer anomaly map to evaluate the thickness of sediments in some localities. We found that the sedimentary cover of the southwestern coastal region of Cameroon has a thickness that varies laterally from 1.68±0.08 to 2.95±0.15 km, especially in the western part. This result confirms that our target area is a potential site for hydrocarbon exploration. The horizontal gradient method coupled with the upward continuation at variable heights has been used to highlight several lineaments and their directions (N-S, E-W, SW-NE, and SSW-NNE). Lineaments trending in an N-S orientation are predominant. The Euler deconvolution method was also applied to the Bouguer anomaly map to determine the position, orientation, and depth of the different superficial faults of the study area. It appears that the majority of superficial faults have an N-S and SSW-NNE orientation. These directions are correlated with those previously highlighted by the maxima of horizontal gradient. The structural map could be used for a better identification of the direction of fluid flow within the subsurface or to update the geological map of our study area.
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spelling doaj-art-ff98b6f7b41543959fd2f3a188e9265a2025-08-20T03:25:55ZengWileyInternational Journal of Geophysics1687-885X1687-88682021-01-01202110.1155/2021/55545285554528Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon ExplorationPaul Gautier Kamto0Willy Lemotio1Alain-Pierre Kamga Tokam2Loudi Yap3Research Laboratory in Geodesy, National Institute of Cartography, Yaounde, CameroonResearch Laboratory in Geodesy, National Institute of Cartography, Yaounde, CameroonNational Higher Polytechnic School Douala, University of Douala, Douala, CameroonResearch Laboratory in Geodesy, National Institute of Cartography, Yaounde, CameroonThe southwestern coastal region of Cameroon is an area of interest because of its hydrocarbon potential (gas and oil). Terrestrial and satellite gravity data were combined and analyzed to provide a better precision in determining the structure of the study area. Firstly, the two gravity databases (in situ and satellite) have been coupled and validated using the least square collocation technique. Then, spectral analysis was applied to the combined Bouguer anomaly map to evaluate the thickness of sediments in some localities. We found that the sedimentary cover of the southwestern coastal region of Cameroon has a thickness that varies laterally from 1.68±0.08 to 2.95±0.15 km, especially in the western part. This result confirms that our target area is a potential site for hydrocarbon exploration. The horizontal gradient method coupled with the upward continuation at variable heights has been used to highlight several lineaments and their directions (N-S, E-W, SW-NE, and SSW-NNE). Lineaments trending in an N-S orientation are predominant. The Euler deconvolution method was also applied to the Bouguer anomaly map to determine the position, orientation, and depth of the different superficial faults of the study area. It appears that the majority of superficial faults have an N-S and SSW-NNE orientation. These directions are correlated with those previously highlighted by the maxima of horizontal gradient. The structural map could be used for a better identification of the direction of fluid flow within the subsurface or to update the geological map of our study area.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5554528
spellingShingle Paul Gautier Kamto
Willy Lemotio
Alain-Pierre Kamga Tokam
Loudi Yap
Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon Exploration
International Journal of Geophysics
title Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon Exploration
title_full Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon Exploration
title_fullStr Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon Exploration
title_full_unstemmed Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon Exploration
title_short Combination of Terrestrial and Satellite Gravity Data for the Characterization of the Southwestern Coastal Region of Cameroon: Appraisal for Hydrocarbon Exploration
title_sort combination of terrestrial and satellite gravity data for the characterization of the southwestern coastal region of cameroon appraisal for hydrocarbon exploration
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5554528
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