Staff directory
Max Fernandez-Alonso
Earth Sciences
Geodynamics and mineral resources
Geodynamics and mineral resources
Publication details
Delvaux, D. & Fernandez, M. 2015. ‘Petroleum potential of the Congo Basin’. In: de Wit, M.., Guillochau, F. and de Wit, M.C.J. (eds), The Geology and Resource Potential of the Congo Basin. Series ‘Regional Geology Reviews’, chap. 18. Heidelberg : Springer, pp. 371-391. (PR) ISBN: 978-3-642-29481-5. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-29482-2_18.
Chapter in an edited book / Article in an edited book
In Chap. 18, D. Delvaux and M. Fernandez-Alonso evaluate the petroleum potential of
the Congo Basin, probably the last continental-scale sedimentary basin that is still poorly
known in terms of petroleum system and related hydrocarbon resources. Whilst some studies
have speculated that there may be giant oil deposits in the Congo Basin, to date no evidence
for the presence of oil reservoirs has been forthcoming, despite possible potential source-rock
levels, petroleum systems, and possible plays designated as targets for exploration projects in
the 1950s and 1970s. The authors of this chapter present results of their recent re-analyses of
the geological archives and samples stored in the collections of the Royal Museum for Central
Africa. Based on their new geochemical analyses, black shales from the Neoproterozoic and
early Palaeozoic sequences appear to be barren. In contrast, the Permian black shales are gas
prone, whilst younger Jurassic-Cretaceous source rocks are of excellent quality (with Total
Organic Carbon up to 25 %), but too immature. The authors also describe oil seeps along the
Lukenie River and Lake Inongo that have been previously linked to potential oil reservoirs,
but these turn out to be anthropogenic. Thus, whilst there is still no clear indication presently
of active petroleum systems in the Congo Basin, this is based on very limited data. New
exploration projects are needed to identify areas where Mesozoic source rocks might have
reached maturity. Thus, whether the Congo Basin may become an important oil (or shale gas)
producer in the future remains unanswered.