Structural and stratigraphic interpretation of seismic data of southern east pande exploration block and its association to the petroleum systems, southern coastal Tanzania

The focus of the study has been to advance our understanding on the tectonic evolution of the East Pande Exploration Block and its association to the Petroleum Systems. The study was done using the two dimensional seismic data and well data. Schlumberger PETREL software was used in organizing, processing and analyzing data in order to establish the synthetic seismogram, lithology, stratigraphic setting and structural setting. Structurally, seismic data interpretation revealed the area to be comprised of faulting (normal and reverse faults), folding, and north eastward tilting of the sedimentary formations. Rose diagrams show faults to have different sets of orientations with dominant ones in the WNW—ESE direction, and others being in NNW—SSE, NW— SE, N—S, W—E, and NE—SW directions. The stratigraphic setting has been influenced by the transgressive and regressive depositional cycles. These resulted to the prograding and retrograding deposition of sediments. The extracted subsurface information were useful in the analysis of the existence of petroleum system elements; potential source rocks, reservoir rocks, seal rocks, and overburden which are laterally significant. Generally, the area was mainly affected by local and regional extensional and compressional forces as a result of rifting, drifting, and uplifting tectonic events. To have a meaningful interpretation, it is recommended that more two and three dimensional seismic data, and biostratigraphy data are needed. These will enable the detailed look on the subsurface information which will assist in providing crystal clear conclusive remarks.