Palynological and Organic Geochemical Studies of Shaly Intervals of Patti Formation, Southern Bida Basin, Nigeri

Palynology and geochemical studies of exposed sections of Patti Formation in Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria were carried out to determine the relative age, paleoenviroment and hydrocarbon richness of the sediments in the area. Bed by bed measurement in terms of thickness and description of the lithologic units in terms of texture, colour and sedimentary structure samples were taken from each section from base to top. The palynological laboratory analysis was carried out by weighing the samples with the aid of a weighing balance using the standard palynological techniques of disaggregation, removal of carbonates, silicates, decarbonation, demineralization, heavy liquid separation and finally mounting on slide for microscopic study. The Rock Eval technique which involves the temperature programmed heating of samples in an inert environment was also used to determine the quantity of organic matter, kerogen type and thermal maturity. The results showed that the shales of Patti Formation were deposited in a freshwater and have an age range of Late Campanian-Early Maastrichtian. It has a good to very good quantity of organic matter with Type III kerogen of low to moderate source capacity. They are immature and have not generated hydrocarbon and cannot generate hydrocarbon at this stage of maturation but could be important gas source where buried down deep.