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Developing a Coherent Stratigraphic Scheme of the Albertine Graben-East, Africa




Author(s)

Joshua Lukaye, David Worsley, Lyoidah Kiconco, Proscovia Nabbanja, Dozith Abeinomugisha, Catherine Amusugut, Nurudin Njabire, Richard Nuwagaba, Frank Mugisha, Tonny Ddungu, Tonny Sserubiri and Vivienne Sempala

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DOI:10.17265/2159-581X/2016.05.004

The Albertine Graben is one of the most petroliferous onshore rifts in Africa. It forms the northernmost termination of the western arm of the East African Rift System. Its surface exposures were first studied by Wayland [1] and Pickford et al. [2] among others. Pickford et al. [2] especially developed the basic stratigraphic framework of the graben which was later modified by the government geoscientists and international oil companies using subsurface data. However, the stratigraphic units were not fully and formally described, and have been used informally in different and often confusing ways. The current study therefore aims to solve this challenge by establishing a coherent stratigraphic scheme for the entire graben through an integral study of surface and subsurface data. The study involves precise description of the type and reference sections for various formations both in exposure and wells; and has therefore led to the development of lithostratigraphic columns of different basins in the graben. The approach reveals that the Semliki area, south of Lake Albert, has the most complete sedimentary succession in the graben, spanning the period from middle Miocene (ca 15 Ma) to Recent. It also reveals that platform deposits, which form a small fraction of the thickness of the basinal succession, represent a highly condensed sequence which only saw deposition at times of Lake highstand.

Lithostratigraphy, subsurface and surface sediments, correlation, Albertine Graben.