Facies architecture of the Etjo Sandstone Formation and its interaction with the Basal Etendeka Flood Basalts of northwest Namibia: implications for offshore prospectivity.

Jerram DA, Mountney N, Stollhofen H (1999)


Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes

Publication year: 1999

Journal

Publisher: Geological Society Publishing House

Edited Volumes: The oil and gas habitats of the South Atlantic

Series: Special Publication

City/Town: London

Book Volume: 153

Pages Range: 367-380

DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1999.153.01.22

Abstract

The Basal Etendeka Flood Basalt stratigraphy in the Huab Basin of northwest Namibia comprises a series of lava flows interleaved with aeolian sandstone bodies of the Etjo Sandstone Formation. The sandstone units are characterized by three main types: (1) the major erg - a mixed aeolian and fluvial facies up to 150 m thick; (2) minor ergs - aeolian facies which occur directly above the first volcanic units and are up to 60 m thick; (3) isolated bodies-multidune, single dune and lava topography infills. A variety of bypass surfaces identified by sand-filled cracks and sediment-lava breccias occur on lava top surfaces. Preserved ripples and pahoehoe lava imprints indicate that the aelian sand dunes were actively migrating during basalt emplacement. Observations recorded in the Basal Etendeka Flood Basalts which may be of relevance to offshore hydrocarbon exploration include: a major-minor erg relationship resulting in large sandbodies up to 60 m thick which occur directly after the first volcanic units; the occurrence of sand-filled fissures up to 36 m in depth which would greatly influence connectivity in an offshore setting; the identification of bypass surfaces as marker horizons which may laterally correlate with isolated sandbodies.

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How to cite

APA:

Jerram, D.A., Mountney, N., & Stollhofen, H. (1999). Facies architecture of the Etjo Sandstone Formation and its interaction with the Basal Etendeka Flood Basalts of northwest Namibia: implications for offshore prospectivity. In Cameron, N.R., Bate, R.H., Clure, V.S. (Eds.), The oil and gas habitats of the South Atlantic. (pp. 367-380). London: Geological Society Publishing House.

MLA:

Jerram, Dougal A., Nigel Mountney, and Harald Stollhofen. "Facies architecture of the Etjo Sandstone Formation and its interaction with the Basal Etendeka Flood Basalts of northwest Namibia: implications for offshore prospectivity." The oil and gas habitats of the South Atlantic. Ed. Cameron, N.R., Bate, R.H., Clure, V.S., London: Geological Society Publishing House, 1999. 367-380.

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