Sedimentological Investigation of the Seafloor in Bope Field Offshore Niger Delta Using Acoustic Remote Sensing

Abstract

Acoustic remote sensing is used for mapping sediments and seafloor structures. Recent technological advances have brought the objective of complete area mapping into the mind of marine geoscientists. The survey includes several profiles, run on parallel and cross tracks with a certain amount of overlap at survey speed of 3-3.5knots. Continuous-coverage of side scan imageries, bathymetric, and subbottom surveys of 1km block; 500m x 500 area around Bope was conducted to assess the variability of the seafloor and to improve our understanding of the processes that control the complex distribution of bottom sediments. The seafloor topography around Bope field is extremely variable over short distances and controlled by a combination of the subsurface stratigraphy and the modern hydraulic regime. Areas of high backscatter on the side scan image reflect boulder sediments. Sand waves occur in patches both north and south of the area, but they never exceeded 0.5 m in height or 20 m in wave length and seafloor gradient < 0.370. Water depth of survey Corridor ranges between 28.9m to 31.89 m reduced to LAT Calabar River Approach.