Application of fluid modulus inversion to complex lithology reservoirs in deep-water areas

It has been a challenge to distinguish between seismic anomalies caused by complex lithology and hydrocarbon reservoirs using conventional fluid identification techniques,leading to difficulties in accurately predicting hydrocarbon-bearing properties and determining oil-water contacts in reservoirs.In this study,we built a petrophysical model tailored to the deep-water area of the Baiyun Sag in the eastern South China Sea based on seismic data and explored the feasibility of the tri-parameter direct inversion method in the fluid identification of complex lithology reservoirs,offering a more precise alternative to conventional techniques.Our research found that the fluid modulus can successfully eliminate seismic amplitude anomalies caused by lithological variations.Furthermore,the seismic databased direct inversion for fluid modulus can remove the cumulative errors caused by indirect inversion and the influence of porosity.We discovered that traditional methods using seismic amplitude anomalies were ineffective in detecting fluids,determining gas-water contacts,or delineating high-quality reservoirs.However,the fluid factor Kf,derived from solid-liquid decoupling,proved to be sensitive to the identification of hydrocarbon-bearing properties,distinguishing between high-quality and poor-quality gas zones.Our findings confirm the value of the fluid modulus in fluid identification and demonstrate that the tri-parameter direct inversion method can significantly enhance hydrocarbon exploration in deep-water areas,reducing associated risks.

The Relationship between Tectonic Subsidence and BSR of Upper Neogene in the Deep-Water Area of the Northern Continental Slope, South China Sea

BSR （Bottom Simulating Reflector） occurs widely in the strata since the late Miocene in the deep-water area of the northern continental slope of South China Sea （SCS）. It is an important seismic reference mark which identifies the gas hydrate and its distribution influenced by the tectonic movements. Single-point basin modeling was conducted using 473 points in the study area. To discuss the relationships between the tectonic subsidence and BSR, the volume and rate of tectonic subsidence in each geological time have been simulated. The results show that there are three tectonic accelerate subsidence processes in the study area since the late Miocene, especially since 1.8Ma the tectonic subsidence accelerates more apparently. Since the Late Miocene to Pleistocene, the rate of tectonic subsidence in deep-water underwent a transformation from weak to strong. The ratio of tectonic subsidence to the total subsidence was relatively high （65-70%）. Through the superposition of the BSR developed areas and the contours of tectonic subsidence in this area, it was discovered that more than 80% of BSR tend to be distributed at the slope break or depression-uplift structural transfer zone and the average tectonic subsidence rate ranges from 70 m/Ma to 125 m/Ma.

Geoacoustic Inversion for Bottom Parameters in the Deep-Water Area of the South China Sea

Bottom acoustic parameters play an important role in sound field prediction. Acoustic parameters in deep water are not well understood. Bottom acoustic parameters are sensitive to the transmission-loss （TL） data in the shadow zone of deep water. We propose a multiple-step fill inversion method to invert sound speed, density and attenuation in deep water. Based on a uniform liquid hMf-space bottom model, sound speed of the bottom is inverted by using the long range TL at low frequency obtained in an acoustic propagation experiment conducted in the South China Sea （SCS） in summer 2014. Meanwhile, bottom density is estimated combining with the Hamilton sediment empirical relationship. Attenuation coefficients at different frequencies are then estimated from the TL data in the shadow zones by using the known sound speed and density as a constraint condition. The nonlinear relationship between attenuation coefficient and frequency is given in the end. Tile inverted bottom parameters can be used to forecast the transmission loss in the deep water area of SCS very we//.

Structural characteristics of central depression belt in deep-water area of the Qiongdongnan Basin and the hydrocarbon discovery of Songnan low bulge

The Qiongdongnan Basin has the first proprietary high-yield gas field in deep-water areas of China and makes the significant breakthroughs in oil and gas exploration.The central depression belt of deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan Basin is constituted by five sags,i.e.Ledong Sag,Lingshui Sag,Songnan Sag,Baodao Sag and Changchang Sag.It is a Cenozoic extensional basin with the basement of pre-Paleogene as a whole.The structural research in central depression belt of deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan Basin has the important meaning in solving the basic geological problems,and improving the exploration of oil and gas of this basin.The seismic interpretation and structural analysis in this article was operated with the 3D seismic of about 1.5×104 km2 and the 2D seismic of about 1×104 km.Eighteen sampling points were selected to calculate the fault activity rates of the No.2 Fault.The deposition rate was calculated by the ratio of residual formation thickness to deposition time scale.The paleo-geomorphic restoration was obtained by residual thickness method and impression method.The faults in the central depression belt of deep-water area of this basin were mainly developed during Paleogene,and chiefly trend in NE–SW,E–W and NW–SE directions.The architectures of these sags change regularly from east to west:the asymmetric grabens are developed in the Ledong Sag,western Lingshui Sag,eastern Baodao Sag,and western Changchang Sag;half-grabens are developed in the Songnan Sag,eastern Lingshui Sag,and eastern Changchang Sag.The tectonic evolution history in deep-water area of this basin can be divided into three stages,i.e.faulted-depression stage,thermal subsidence stage,and neotectonic stage.The Ledong-Lingshui sags,near the Red River Fault,developed large-scale sedimentary and subsidence by the uplift of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during neotectonic stage.The Baodao-Changchang sags,near the northwest oceanic sub-basin,developed the large-scale magmatic activities and the transition of stress direction by the expansion of the South China Sea.The east sag belt and west sag belt of the deep-water area in the Qiongdongnan Basin,separated by the ancient Songnan bulge,present prominent differences in deposition filling,diaper genesis,and sag connectivity.The west sag belt has the advantages in high maturity,well-developed fluid diapirs and channel sand bodies,thus it has superior conditions for oil and gas migration and accumulation.The east sag belt is qualified by the abundant resources of oil and gas.The Paleogene of Songnan low bulge,located between the west sag belt and the east sag belt,is the exploration potential.The YL 8 area,located in the southwestern high part of the Songnan low bulge,is a favorable target for the future gas exploration.The Well 8-1-1 was drilled in August 2018 and obtained potential business discovery,and the Well YL8-3-1 was drilled in July 2019 and obtained the business discovery.

Control effects of the synsedimentary faults on the basin-marginal fans in the central part of the deep-water area of early Oligocene Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea

The synsedimentary faults and basin-marginal fans located in the central part of the deep-water area of the early Oligocene Qiongdongnan Basin have been investigated using seismic profiles,boreholes,and well-log data.Through the formations of the characterized paleogeomorphology,such as transverse anticlines,fault ditches,and step-fault belts,the synsedimentary faults are known to have controlled the development position,distribution direction,and extension scales of the basin-marginal fans.For example,at the pitching ends of two adjacent faults,transverse anticlines developed,which controlled the development positions and distributions of the fans.During the early Oligocene,the faults controlled the subsidence center,and fault ditches were formed at the roots of the faults.In the surrounding salient or low salient areas,which were exposed as provenance areas during early Oligocene,the fault ditches acted as the source channels and determined the flow paths of the clastics,where incised valley fills were obviously developed.The fault ditches which developed in the sedimentary basins were able to capture the drainage systems and influenced the distributions of the fans.The large boundary faults and the secondary faults generated two fault terraces and formed step-fault belts.The first fault terrace caused the clastics to be unloaded.As a result,fans were formed at the entrance to the basin.Then,the second fault terrace caused the fans to move forward,with the fans developing in a larger extension scale.The results obtained in this study will potentially be beneficial in the future prospecting activities for reservoirs and coalmeasure source rocks in the basins located in the deep-water areas of the South China Sea.

Petroleum geology controlled by extensive detachment thinning of continental margin crust: A case study of Baiyun sag in the deep-water area of northern South China Sea

The relationships between crustal stretching and thinning,basin structure and petroleum geology in Baiyun deep-water area were analyzed using large area 3D seismic,gravity,magnetic,ocean bottom seismic(OBS),deep-water exploration wells and integrated ocean drilling program(IODP).During the early syn-rifting period,deep-water area was a half-graben controlled by high angle faults influenced by the brittle extension of upper crust.In the mid syn-rifting period,this area was a broad-deep fault depression controlled by detachment faults undergone brittle-ductile deformation and differentiated extension in the crust.In the late syn-rifting period,this area experienced fault-sag transition due to saucer-shaped rheology change dominated by crustal ductile deformation.A broad-deep fault depression controlled by the large detachment faults penetrating through the crust is an important feature of deep-water basin.The study suggests that the broad-deep Baiyun sag provides great accommodation space for the development of massive deltaic-lacustrine deposition system and hydrocarbon source rocks.The differentiated lithospheric thinning also resulted in the different thermal subsidence during post-rifting period,and then controlled the development of continental shelf break and deep-water reservoir sedimentary environment.The high heat flow background caused by the strong thinning of lithosphere and the rise of mantle source resulted in particularities in the reservoir diagenesis,hydrocarbon generation process and accumulation of deep-water area in northern South China Sea.

A New Discovery of Deep-Water Benthic Organisms from the Southwestern Dongsha Area,South China Sea

Dongsha waters are poorly studied for gas hydrates. Previous multi-channel seismic reflection and Chirp sub- bottom profiles show that numerous submarine mounds stand up to 100 m high above the seafloor over the continental slope of the SW Dongsha Island in northern margin of the South China Sea （SCS）. These mounds are characterized by hardened seabed, seafloor gas venting and folded structures, which implies the existence of active mud volcanoes. This work aims to confirm this speculation by seafloor sample dredging and to explore the potential of gas hydrates.

U-Pb Geochronology of the Jebba Granitic Gneiss and Its Implications for the Paleoproterozoic Evolution of Jebba Area, Southwestern Nigeria

Jebba area southwestern Nigeria forms part of the Nigerian basement complex which lies in the Neoproterozoic PanAfrican mobile belt. It is underlain by several lithological units among which is a polydeformed granitic gneiss. This rock has been dated by LA-ICP-MS yielding a concordant U-Pb zircon age of 2207 ± 20 Ma indicating the crystallization age of the granite protolith. This early Rhyacian age and its affinity with within-plate granites indicates emplacement during crustal extension and rifting presceding the main phase of the Eburnean orogeny. The strong, early, shear fabric, S1, in the rock is interpreted to be also of Paleoproterozoic age i.e. imprinted during the Eburnean orogeny. The Jebba granitic gneiss is thus correlatable with the widely abundant Paleoproterozoic granitic magmatism now represented by many orthogneisses and documented in other parts of southwestern Nigeria, the West African craton, the Borborema Province, the Gurupi Belt, Sao Luis craton and Sao Francisco craton in Brazil.

Assessment of Radionuclide Concentrations and Absorbed Dose from Consumption of Community Water Supplies in Oil and Gas Producing Areas in Delta State, Nigeria

A survey of radioactivity concentration in water supplies used for domestic and industrial purposes in the oil and gas producing communities of Delta State, Nigeria was carried out using a well-calibrated High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector system. The study area was partitioned into ten sections and a total of two samples per partition were collected for analysis. Samples of water from a non-producing area were also collected as control. In all, a total number of forty three samples were collected and analyzed. Each sample was acidified at the rate of 10 ml of 11 M HCl per litre of water to prevent the absorption of radionuclides into the wall of the container and sealed in a properly cleaned container for at least one month so as to attain a state of secular radioactive equilibrium before analysis. The photopeaks observed with reliable regularity belong to the naturally occurring series-decay radionuclide headed by 238U and 232Th, as well as the non-series decay type 40K. The mean specific activity obtained for 40K was 49 ± 15 Bq L–1 with a range of 6 - 177 Bq L–1 while for 238U, the mean specific activity was 3 ± 1 Bq L–1 with a range of 1 - 12 Bq L–1 and the mean specific activity for 232Th was 3 ± 2 Bq L–1 with a range of 2 - 10 Bq L–1 and the total annual effective dose, which vary between 0 - 2 μSv y–1, did not show any significant health impact.

Socio-Economic Implication of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Project in Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Notably, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) project is the pioneer Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Nigeria, aimed at both the diversification of the petroleum industry and utilization of the vastly flared natural gas resources of the nation. However, large scale energy projects have been known to generate both positive and/or negative impacts. Environmental Management Plans (EMP) have often been the compendium of information on approved mitigations, which normally include activities that could maximize the benefits of the host communities, and it’s not unusual for the Community Development and Corporate Social Responsibility (CDCSR) department of such an organization to be saddled with these contributions. But the activities of Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s CSR department have often been the source of criticism, as well as aspiration for improvement by host communities and other stake holders. This article thus aims to present a comprehensive compendium of NLNG’s CDCSR activities, up to the year 2010, and also highlight the level of satisfaction of the immediate and distant host communities against the level of performance of other donors in the area. Also the arrays of negative socio-economic consequences of the Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s activities were identified based on community perception. The results generally showed that comparatively, NLNG project has made more innovative positive socio-economic and health contributions to its areas of operation than the three tiers of government and other donors (including SPDC and Mobil Producing Nigeria). Surprisingly, agitations against Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s activities have not overshadowed its community development provisions, which have been of major assistance in several communities. There is however a dire need to review several aspects of Nigeria LNG Ltd.’s CDCSR activities, especially in the fulfilment of documented promises, as well as in project conception and community participation, for better completed projects acceptance by indigenous host communities. Conflict management strategies also need to be improved, while the dissatisfaction over benefits in New Finima needs to be urgently addressed.

The Geochemistry of Carbonate Rocks in Igwe Igarra, Southwestern Nigeria

Nigeria has an abundance of valuable solid minerals and rocks which can generate revenue for the government if they are fully exploited. Carbonate rock is one of such rocks that occur prominently in Igwe Igarra area of Edo State. Five (5) carbonate rock samples (Four marble and One Calcsilicate) were subjected to geochemical analyses. A petrographic study reveals that marble and calcsilicate contain calcite, quartz, microcline, plagioclase, biotite and opaque minerals. Geochemical data shows that carbonate rocks have variable geochemical characteristics: Igwe marble is highly Calcitic (96% - 98%) and very low in dolomite Mg(CO3). Calcsilicate rock is low in CaO (27.5%) and higher in marble. The Igwe marble is pure and contains fewer impurities compared to calcsilicate rock which makes it unideal for usage. Based on these characteristics the marble from Igwe is suitable as raw materials for the productions of glass, papers, beet sugar, aggregates, lubricants and fillers.

The Uranium Prospects in Mika Region, Northeastern Nigeria

Uranium exploration especially in currently non-producing countries like Nigeria possesses high economic prospect. This study investigates a new uranium prospect in Mika, Northeastern Nigeria. The Mika uranium mineralization is located in Mika, Taraba State. Two lodes were identified and additional nine (9) trenches were added. The main lode in the west extends about 10 m, ore vein strikes 348°, inclination 42°and the strike of the lode 306°with average uranium content of 18%. The eastern trench is about 8 × 4 × 6 m which exposes a veinlet of pitchblende. From the petrography, one can deduce that the granitic host rock has suffered deformation resulting in crushing of quartz crystals and stretching of plagioclase. The uraninite and chalcedony in the late phase filled up the fractures along the crystal grain boundaries as veinlets. The laboratory gamma ray analysis of the samples showed that the secondary uranium content is 0.1%, while the primary uranium ore grade is 1.5%. Radiometric in situ measurements showed that Th and K ranges from 47.3 - 3654 ppm and 4.26% - 6.26% respectively. From the survey, a strong radiometric zone extends 800 × 35 m in an NW-SE direction and has highest radiation content of 1200 cpm against the background count rate of 30 cpm. Generally, the uranium concentrations in the ores in Mika area range from 0.03% - 0.12%. Since only the surface occurrences have been explored, the study area is a good prospect for future development when properly explored. The North-eastern Nigeria has been roughly explored by Nigeria Uranium Mining Company (NUMCO) in 1980, but no formal exploration had been followed after that, especially near the site of this article. The company (ACE Mines, Ltd) of the first author was among the few uranium mining companies approved in the list of Nigerian Geological Survey agency of Abuja in Nigeria. The authors determined the coordinates of the site in their first survey which formed the prospect area in the licence.

Assessment of the Determinants of Healthy Ageing among the Rural Elderly of North-Eastern Nigeria

Healthy ageing is a lifelong process optimizing opportunities for improving and preserving health and physical, social and mental wellness, independence, quality of life and enhancing successful life-course transition. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that the number of elderly persons will rise from about 37.1 million in 2005 to 155.4 million in 2050. The elderly population in Nigeria is estimated at 4 percent and is expected to triple by the year 2020. The increasing number of the older population will increase the burden on the health resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the determinants of healthy ageing among rural elderly in northern Nigeria in order to promote those that have positive correlation with healthy aging. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 1600 rural elderly aged ≥60 years using interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire between June and July, 2011. Majority (53.8%) are 60 - 64 years, 24.6% >69 years, 72.4% are males while most are Muslims (85.6%) and 81. 4% are still married. Most are farmers (48.9%) while 73.6% have no formal education. 85.3% earn less than $100 monthly while 47.6% have no income. 93.5% do not take alcohol, 92.1% do not smoke and 89.8% are physically active. 83.1% have normal blood pressure (on examination), 88.3% normal blood glucose level (on examination). Diet, no smoking, high physical activity and adequate sleep are positively correlated with healthy aging (p < 0.05). Good health practices and family support should be sustained while special care for the aged should be established by the government.

Urban Gully Development in Southwestern Nigeria

This study examined the development of urban gullies in a part of Southwestern Nigeria. This was done with a view to determine the volume and amount of sediment loss from the 1st and 2nd order gullies in a cascade system. Twenty (20) towns were randomly selected from where thirty (30) gully systems comprising forty (40) 1st order and five (5) 2nd order gullies were measured with Tape and Total Station (TS). The gully dimensions measured include gully lengths, depths and cross sectional areas. The core samples were also taken from the study gullies for the determination of the soil bulk density. The results showed that the mean volume of soil loss from the 1st order and (2nd) order gullies in the study area are 1612.633 m3 and 1629.922 m3, respectively. The weight of the estimated sediment loss from the 1st order and 2nd order gullies are 2661.621 and 2657.318 tonnes, respectively. The result further showed that the total soil loss of 119661.442 tonnes was obtained from the study gullies and that the 1st order gullies accounted for 87% (106,375 tonnes) of the total soil loss. This was an indication of soil degradation in the area.

Thermal-history reconstruction of the Baiyun Sag in the deep-water area of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea

The Baiyun Sag, located in the deep-water area of the northern South China Sea, is the largest and deepest subbasin in the Pearl River Mouth Basin and one of the most important hydrocarbon-accumulation depression areas in China. Thermal history is widely thought to be of great importance in oil and gas potential assessment of a basin as it controls the timing of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion from the source rock. In order to unravel the paleo-heat flow of the Baiyun Sag, we first analyzed tectonic subsidence of 55 pseudo-wells constructed based on newly interpreted seismic profiles, along with three drilled wells. We then carried out thermal modeling using the multi-stage finite stretching method and calibrated the results using collected present-day vitrinite reflectance data and temperature data. Results indicate that the first and second heating of the Baiyun Sag after 49 Ma ceased at 33.9 Ma and 23 Ma. Reconstructed average basal paleo- heat flow values at the end of the rifting periods are -57.7- 86.2 mW/m2 and -66.7-97.3 mW/m2, respectively. Following the last heating period at 23 Ma, the study area has undergone a persistent thermal attenuation phase, and basal heat flow has cooled down to ～64.0-79.2 mW/m2 at present.

Lateral bearing characteristics of subsea wellhead assembly in the hydrate trial production engineering

Conductor and suction anchor are the key equipment providing bearing capacity in the field of deep-water drilling or offshore engineering,which have the advantages of high operation efficiency and short construction period.In order to drill a horizontal well in the shallow hydrate reservoir in the deep water,the suction anchor wellhead assembly is employed to undertake the main vertical bearing capacity in the second round of hydrate trial production project,so as to reduce the conductor running depth and heighten the kick-off point position.However,the deformation law of the deep-water suction anchor wellhead assembly under the moving load of the riser is not clear,and it is necessary to understand the lateral bearing characteristics to guide the design of its structural scheme.Based on 3D solid finite element method,the solid finite element model of the suction anchor wellhead assembly is established.In the model,the seabed soil is divided into seven layers,the contact between the wellhead assembly and the soil is simulated,and the vertical load and bending moment are applied to the wellhead node to simulate the riser movement when working in the deep water.The lateral bearing stability of conventional wellhead assembly and suction anchor wellhead assembly under the influence of wellhead load is discussed.The analysis results show that the bending moment is the main factor affecting the lateral deformation of the wellhead string;the anti-bending performance from increasing the outer conductor diameter is better than that from increasing the conductor wall thickness;for the subsea wellhead,the suction anchor obviously improves the lateral bearing capacity and reduces the lateral deformation.The conduct of the suction anchor wellhead assembly still needs to be lowered to a certain depth that below the maximum disturbed depth to ensure the lateral bearing stability,Thus,a method for the minimum conductor running depth for the suction anchor wellhead assembly is developed.The field implementations show that compared with the first round of hydrate trial production project,the conductor running depth is increased by 9.42 m,and there is no risk of wellhead overturning during the trial production.The method for determining the minimum conductor running depth in this paper is feasible and will still play an important role in the subsequent hydrate exploration and development.

尼日利亚深水区海底扇沉积模式成因探讨及勘探意义

尼日利亚深水区地貌形态、层序地层结构、钻井岩性及岩心特征、三维地震振幅图等资料显示,深水沉积以低位海底扇为主。浊流具有重力流和牵引流的双重属性,不仅形成了扇状的朵叶和分枝状的水道体系,还通过其内部环流形成高弯度的水道体系。浊积水道的形态主要受地形坡度控制,其中高弯度水道主要发育在缓坡地段。区内陡缓相间的阶梯状地形使海底扇总体呈拉长状,其中上扇区以水道为主,下扇区以朵叶为主,中扇区为水道与朵叶的叠合体,且视海平面变化和物源的供应情况而出现活动、前积与废弃、退积等不同的组合方式。水道、决口扇、决口朵叶以及各类侧向或垂向叠加复合体是区内主要的储集体类型。根据重力流水道及扇体的成因特点建立的沉积模式,能够使该区储层研究更加准确和高效。

Geological Interpretation and Hydrocarbon Exploration Potential of Three Types of Mound-shaped Reflectors in the Meishan Formation,Southern Qiongdongnan Basin

Many mound-shaped reflectors with different features and shapes are evident in the Upper Member of the Meishan Formation from seismic profiles taken in the deep-water area of the Southern Qiongdongnan Basin.Based on the drilling,2 D and 3 D seismic data from the study area,descriptions of the seismic reflection characteristics as well as the geometric shape,wave impedance inversion,analogy and comparative analyses are carried out.Taken in conjunction with research on the paleo structure and paleo sedimentary background,we consider that the mound-shaped seismic reflectors are distributed in the Southern Slop belt and the Southern High-rise of the Qiongdongnan Basin,which can be subdivided into three types:reefs,contourite mounds and magmatic diapirs.The first type,reefs,includes patch reefs,platform marginal reefs and pinnacle reefs.Patch reefs present mound-shaped seismic facies with medium frequency and a moderately strong amplitude,being distributed at the uplift of the fault control platform on the Southern Slop belt.The platform marginal reefs have flat mound-shaped seismic facies with strong amplitude and medium frequency,developing at the margin of the carbonate platform in the Southern High-rise.The pinnacle reefs have mound-shaped seismic facies with strong amplitude and medium frequency and are developed on an isolated volcanic cone.The boundaries between individual reefs are clear on the seismic section,with reef ridge and reef ditch developed,the phenomenon of’front product’being visible within,two-way superelevation between wings is developed and they exist visibly as mounds in any viewed direction of the crosssection.They are slightly asymmetrical in the direction perpendicular to the paleodepth the reef body being steep near the deep-water side,while being gentle near the shallow water side.The wave impedance of a patch reef is about 7 kg/m^(3)×m/s,while the wave impedance of a platform marginal reef is about 7.5 kg/m^(3)×m/s.The second type-contourite moundsare mainly developed under the slope break of the southern slope fault control platform’s edge.They are subdivided into two types:conical and flat.The former has mound-shaped seismic facies with medium-strong amplitude and low frequency,the latter having mound-shaped seismic facies with medium amplitude and low frequency.The internal texture of the mounds is not clear on the seismic section,with the boundaries between contourite mounds being blurred.They are mound-shaped only in cross-section,being banded in the extending direction.The upper surface of a single contourite mound is relatively gentle near the deep-water side,while being steep near the shallow water area.The wave impedance of contourite mounds is about 5.8 kg/m^(3)×m/s,which is speculated to represent a marly to calcareous clastic deposit.The third type is the magmatic diapir,which has’roots’.They have a dome-shaped upper boundary,are bottomless,with a chaotic interior.They penetrated multiple formations,opening towards the base.There are two major accumulation assemblages of reefs,one is the platform margin reef accumulation assemblage with distant source rocks and long-distance migration through an unconformity surface in the Southern High-rise,the other is the patch reef accumulation assemblage with twin sources and short distance migration through faults in the Southern Slop belt near the Central Depression zone.The latter is the main exploration targets at present.There are contourite mound accumulation assemblages with nearby source rocks and short distance vertical migration through faults,which are potentially important targets.The magmatic diapirs pierce the overlying strata and form good hydrocarbon traps and migration pathways,thus representing potential prospecting targets.

Delayed Neutrons Energy Spectrum Flux Profile of Nuclear Materials in Ghana’s Miniature Neutron Source Reactor Core

A slightly prompt critical nuclear reactor would increase the neutron flux exponentially at a high rate causing the reactor to become uncontrollable, however due to the delayed neutrons, it is possible to leave the reactor in a subcritical state as far as only prompt neutrons are concerned and to also sustain the chain reaction when it is going to die out. The delay neutron flux spectrum of the compact core of the Ghana’s miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) was studied using the Monte Carlo method. 20,484 energy groups combined for all three categories of the energy distribution, thermal, slowing down and fast regions were modeled to create small energy bins. The moderator, the inner irradiation channels, the annulus beryllium reflector and the outer irradiation channels were the regions monitored. The delay thermal neutrons recorded its highest flux in the inner irradiation channel with an average flux of (4.0127 0.0076) × 1008 n/cm2?s, followed by the outer irradiation channel with an average flux of (2.4524 0.0049) × 1008 n/cm2?s. The beryllium reflector recorded the lowest flux in the thermal region. These values of the thermal energy range occurred in the energy range (0 – 0.625× 10 – 07) MeV. The inner irradiation channel again recorded the highest average flux of (1.2050 ± 0.0501) × 1007 n/cm2?s at the slowing down region in the energy range (0.821 – 6.94) MeV. The outer irradiation channel recorded the lowest flux in this region. In the fast energy region, (6.96 – 20) MeV, the core, where the moderator is found, the same trend was observed with the inner irradiation channel recording the highest flux at an average flux of (2.0647 ± 0.3260) × 1006 n/cm2?s .The outer irradiation channel recorded the second highest flux while the annulus beryllium reflector recorded very low flux in this region. The final k-effective contribution from only delay neutrons is 0.00834 with the delay neutron fraction being 0.01357 ± 0.00049, hence the Ghana MNSR has good safety inherent feature.