EJAS-15591 - Paper Publication

European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No.
5
Publication Date: October 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/aivp.115.15591
Ndip, E. A., & Maximus, J. (2023). Exploring the Potential of Black Shale Source Rocks in the Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern
Cameroon: A Study on Organic Petrography. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(5). 304-317.
Exploring the Potential of Black Shale Source Rocks in the

Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon: A Study on Organic
Petrography
Edwin Ayuk Ndip
Department of Geology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Josephine Maximus
Department of Petroleum and Geological Engineering,
University of Guyana, George Town, Guyana
ABSTRACT
The Babouri-Figuil Basin is located in Northern Cameroon. Detailed studies on the
organic petrology of the basin are still limited. This study analyzed a black shale
sample (MF7- having Ro of 0.36% and a TOC of 22.8%) from the basin using organic
petrography to characterize the organic matter in the rock and understand its
potential for hydrocarbon generation. The study found the sample to have an
abundance of lipinite maceral, suggesting a Type I kerogen source rock with
excellent oil-generating potential. The vitrinite reflectance of 0.36%Ro indicates
that the sample is thermally immature for hydrocarbon generation. The study
suggests that the sample is from a lacustrine depositional environment with
relatively good access to nearby terrigenous material.
Keywords: Babouri-Figuil Basin, black shale, organic petrology, lipinite maceral, kerogen,
lacustrine depositional environment.
INTRODUCTION
The Babouri-Figuil Basin is a Cretaceous intracontinental tectono-sedimentary basin located in
Northern Cameroon (Fig.1.), with a total area of approximately 120,000 km² [1]. The basin is
known for its significant hydrocarbon reserves, which have been explored since the 1950’s [2].
The sedimentary rocks from this basin have been extensively studied to understand the
petroleum potential of the area [3]. However, despite the high potential for hydrocarbon
exploration, detailed studies on the organic petrology of the basin are still scare. In this study,
we present a comprehensive analysis of an outcrop sample (black shale) from the Babouri-
Figuil Basin, with a focus on the organic petrography of the rock. The sample was collected from
the Lower Cretaceous series, which is composed of alternating sandstones, siltstones, and
shales [1, 4]. The studied sample has a high total organic carbon (TOC) value of 22.8 wt. %,
which makes it particularly interesting for this study [4].
The objective of this study is to investigate the organic petrology of the sample from the
Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon. The aim is to characterize the organic matter in the
rock and understand its thermal maturity, depositional environment, and potential for
hydrocarbon generation. The sample will be analyzed using a combination of analytical
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Ndip, E. A., & Maximus, J. (2023). Exploring the Potential of Black Shale Source Rocks in the Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern Cameroon: A Study on
Organic Petrography. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(5). 304-317.
techniques, including petrographic analysis, vitrinite reflectance, and Rock-Eval pyrolysis. This
study will contribute to a better understanding of the organic matter in the Babouri-Figuil Basin
and provide insights into the hydrocarbon potential of the area.
GEOLOGICAL SETTINGS
The Babouri-Figuil Basin is a sedimentary basin located in the northern part of Cameroon, near
the border with Chad. It is bounded by the Precambrian basement rocks of the Adamawa-Yadé
domain to the south and the Chad Basin to the North [5]. The basin is characterized by a thick
sequence of sedimentary rocks, including sandstones, shales, and limestones, which were
deposited during the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods (Fig 2,) [6]. The basin is also known for
its significant reserves of uranium, which are hosted in the sandstone units [7]. The formation
and evolution of the Chad Basin and its sub-basins, including the Babouri-Figuil Basin, have
been the subject of numerous studies over the years. Researchers have used a variety of
techniques, including seismic profiling and borehole drilling, to investigate the structure and
stratigraphy of the basin and to understand the processes that led to its formation [8]. Some of
the key references on the geology of the Babouri-Figuil Basin and the wider Chad Basin include
[4, 6, 7, 9].
Fig.1: Map of Benue Trough and Babouri-Figuil basin relationship [10].
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Geological field mapping exercise was carried on road cut exposures along Mayo-Figuil and
Mayo-Tafal within the Babouri- Fugil basin, Northern Cameroon (Fig.3 and Fig.4). A total of 10
samples were collected and analyzed for total organic carbon content (TOC) using LECO C230
instrument and Rock eval pyrolysis by [4] and the results is shown in table 1. Only sample MF7
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 305

European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 5, October-2023
with TOC (wt. %) exceeding 20 wt. % for source rock is reported here and used for the organic
petrology analyses. Five gram of the outcrop sample material was obtained from sample MF7
and crushed to approximately 1mm particle size and mounted in epoxy resin as a whole rock
mount. The resulting plug was ground with successively finer grades of silicon carbide paper
and polished with 0.3µm & 0.05µm alumina suspension. Organic petrography analysis was
carried out in Stratum Reservoir Laboratory in United Kingdom, following the Standard Test
Method D7708 from the American Society for Testing and Material [11].
Fig.2: Geological map of Northern Cameroon indicating the Babouri-Figuil Basin [12].
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 306

Fig. 3: a) Geological map of Babouri-Figuil sedimentary basin [13] and b) sample location map of
Babouri-Figuil Basin [4].

Study
strata
Fig. 4: Generalized correlation of logged sections in study area [4] .

Table.1: TOC and Rock Eval pyrolysis results of the studied outcrop samples in Babouri-
Figuil basin [4]
Roc Leco Calculat Hydrog Oxyge S2/S S1/TO Producti
k ed en n 3 C on
ID TOC S1 S2 S3 Tma %Ro Index Index Conc. Norm. Index
x Oil
(wt (mg (mg (mg (°C) (RE (S2x100 (S3x10 (mg Conte (S1/(S1+S
%) HC/ HC/g) CO2/ TMAX) / 0/ HC/m nt 2)
g) g) TOC) TOC) g
CO2)
MF3 8.82 1.95 68.80 2.58 424 0.47 780 29 27 22 0.03
a
MF3 10.2 2.34 85.26 2.38 423 0.45 836 23 36 23 0.03
b 0
MF4 0.81 0.06 1.06 0.63 439 0.74 131 78 2 7 0.05
MF6 2.50 0.23 15.28 0.57 434 0.65 611 23 27 9 0.01
a
MF6 1.62 0.12 5.65 0.58 430 0.58 349 36 10 7 0.02
b
MF7 22.8 7.85 232.7 1.52 418 0.36 1,021 7 153 34 0.03
0 5
MF1 0.31 0.10 0.27 0.51 422 0.44 86 162 1 32 0.27
0
MF1 0.23 0.04 0.24 0.20 434 0.65 103 85 1 17 0.14
1
OD1 3.43 0.15 18.40 1.28 442 0.80 536 37 14 4 0.01
OD2 1.37 0.06 2.53 0.93 445 0.85 185 68 3 4 0.02
NB. Study sample in bold
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Maceral Analysis and Hydrocarbon Generation Potential
The individual components of the organic matter observed under the microscope are defined
as macerals, which have distinctive physical and chemical properties [14]. The classification of
the organic matter dispersed in rocks used in this study, is that of [15, 16]. Generally, under the
microscope the sample appears finely laminated and there is an abundant dull orange to
orangey-brown fluorescing, partially (bacterially) degraded lamalginite (Fig.5.), suggesting this
is a Type I kerogen source rock with excellent oil generating potential (Table 2.). The Type I
kerogen composition identified here is corresponding to the Rock-Eval analysis results of [4].
A few lenses of weak brown fluorescing amorphous organic matter (AOM) are also apparent.
Rare examples of structured, dull yellow fluorescing filamentous algae and spores are present
(Fig 5.). Vitrinite particles are rare but a single observation of large, well-preserved collotelinite
containing yellow/orange fluorescing exsudatinite within fractures was observed. The vitrinite
is of good polish quality and readily identifiable. The abundance maceral groups observed in
the sample is of the Lipinite group composing of alginite (89.0%), amorphinite (7.6%) with
83% fluorescing and 17% non-fluorescing and herbaceous (0.4%) base on mineral free-basis
(Table 3 and Fig 5.). Vitrinite of 2.7% and inertinite of 0.2 % on mineral free-basis is present in

the study sample. The study sediment contains zero percent solid bitumen and 0.1% mobile
hydrocarbon with an organic richness of 27.9% and it is classified to be good.
Table 2a: *Kerogen Composition (%)

Type 1 % Type % Type III % Type IV % Oil prone % Gas prone % Inert %
89.0 7.5 2.7 0.8 96.5 2.7 0.8
*Percentage of kerogen in whole rock (excluding bitumen/pyro-bitumen)
Table 2b: *Possible original composition

Type 1% Type II% Type III% Type IV% Oil prone % Gas % Inert%
89.0 8.1 2.7 0.2 97.1 2.7 0.2
*Based on micrinite originally present as AOM when immature
Table 3: Organic content (Mineral free basis) of sample MF7

Liptinite Vitri Inerti Orga AOM Kero Hydrocarbon Zoocl
nite nite nic Conver gen asts
richn sion (%)
ess (%)
(%)
Algin Amorphinite Herbac Solid Mob
ite eous bitumen ile
% % Non- /pyro oil
Fluores Fluores bitumen
cing cing 2.7 0.2 27.9 8.2 27.8
89.0 7.6 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0
83 17
a) Representative field of view in reflected white light

b) Identical field of view as “a” under reflected UV light revealing dull orange fluorescing,
partially degraded, lamalginite.
c) Example of single large area of vitrinite observed in this sample

d) Identical field of view as seen in “c”, revealing bright yellow/orange fluorescing exsudatinite
trapped in fractures.
e) Dull yellow/orange fluorescing spore (centre)

f) Vitrinite lens (centre) with a reflectance of 0.35%Ro.
g) Preserved algal body within dull orange fluorescing lamalginite matrix, displaying dull
yellow fluorescence
Fig.5: a-g: Photomicrographs of sample MF7
Thermal Maturity and Depositional Environment

To estimate the thermal maturity of this sample MF7, a petrographic technique known as
vitrinite reflectance (%VRo) determination was employed. Organic matter in the vitrinite
maceral group is derived from the post-Silurian vascular plants' woody and cortical tissues [17]
. Vitrinite reflectance is a reliable and valuable parameter for assessing the maturity level of
organic matter because it covers the entire temperature range from early diagenesis through
catagenesis and metagenesis [18]. The selection of Sample MF7 for random reflectance
measurements (Ro) was based on its high total organic carbon (TOC) and/or S2 content, which
serve as indicators of its potential for the generation of high amounts of organic matter and/or
hydrocarbons. In Table 4 and Fig.6, it is shown that Sample MF7 has a mean vitrinite reflectance

value of 0.36%Ro, indicating an immature state for oil generation. This finding is consistent
with the study carried out by [4], which utilized data from rock eval pyrolysis and cross plots
of hydrogen index (HI) against Tmax. The calculated vitrinite reflectance values for the shale
ranged from 0.47 to 0.85, with an average of 0.6, highlighting the immature status of the organic
matter [4]. No signs of reflectance suppression were observed, as evidenced by the absence of
weak brown fluorescence. However, the Liptinite fluorescence colors were generally weaker
than expected, taking several minutes to fully develop at this low level of thermal maturity.
Fig.6: Vitrinite reflectance of sample MF7
Table 4: Vitrinite Reflectance measurement data on Collotelinite in Sample MF7

Mean: 0.36
STDEV: 0.03
Variance: 0
Min: 0.29
Max: 0.43
Number: 106
In the study of paleodepositional environments in the Babouri-Figuil basin, [19] utilized

macerals for paleoenvironmental deduction, which depends on the relative abundance of
different maceral groups. Based on the overall maceral composition, it suggests that Sample
MF7 was derived from a lacustrine depositional environment with easy access to nearby
terrigenous material (Fig. 7). Pyrite was found to be rare in Sample MF7, indicating a possible
chance of high organic sulfur content. The pyrite sometimes had an orange tinge, indicating the
possibility of mild oxidation. There were no signs of solid bitumen. Therefore, it can be

concluded that the shales in the Babouri-Figuil basin were deposited in low-energy anoxic
environments [18, 19].
Fig.7: Ternary plot of maceral groups showing the depositional environment of the study
sample from Babouri-Figuil Basin [20]
CONCLUSION
The Babouri-Figuil Basin is a Cretaceous intracontinental tectono-sedimentary basin situated
in northern Cameroon, and it is linked to the Benue Trough evolution. It is an extension of the
Yola arm and its stratigraphy comprises of the Lamja, Bima, Yolde, Dukul, Jessu, Sekuliye, and
Numanha Formations as described by [21, 22, 23]. The sedimentary rocks from this basin have
been studied to comprehend the petroleum potential of the area. However, though there is high
potential for hydrocarbon exploration, studies focusing on the organic petrology of the basin
remain limited. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of an outcrop sample
(black shale) from the Babouri-Figuil Basin, with emphasis on the source rock organic
petrography. Based on the findings, the study sample had an abundance of the lipinite maceral,
predominantly consisting of alginite (89.0%), amorphinite (7.6%) showing 83% fluorescing
and 17% non-fluorescing, and herbaceous (0.4%) based on mineral free-basis. The study
sample also contained vitrinite of 2.7% and inertinite of 0.2 % on mineral free-basis. The
maceral composition suggests a Type I kerogen source rock with excellent oil-generating
potential. Notably, the mean vitrinite reflectance of 0.36%Ro, indicates that the sample is

thermally immature for hydrocarbon generation. The overall maceral composition suggests
that the sample is from a lacustrine depositional environment with relatively good access to
nearby terrigenous material. Therefore, the organic petrographic results in this study, when
combined with the bulk properties from Rock-Eval pyrolysis done by [4] , indicate a prospective
hydrocarbon generative potential for the Babouri-Figuil Basin.
References
1. Kouankap Nono, G. D., Aka, F. T., Tchouankoue, J. P., & Enow-Bate, B. (2018). Physico-chemical
characterization of degraded soils under banana cultivation in Cameroon. African Journal of Agricultural
Research, 13(19), 931-942.
2. Aka, F. T., Kouankap Nono, G. D., Enow-Bate, B., Bouyo, H. R. T., & Tchouankoue, J. P. (2018). The use of
mineral and organic amendments to rehabilitate degraded soils cultivated with banana plants in
Cameroon. Agricultural Sciences, 9(10), 1150-1163.
3. Tchouankoue, J. P., Aka, F. T., Kouankap Nono, G. D., Bouyo, H. R. T., & Enow-Bate, B. (2021). Potassium
solubilizing bacteria (KSB) and potassium use efficiency of maize under NPKS fertilization in Cameroon.
Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 1-18.
4. Enow-Bate, E.P., Nton, M.E., Takem, J.E., Ndip Edwin Ayuk & Mbouemboue Nsangou Moussa Ahmed (2023)
Hydrocarbon generative potential of intracontinental sediments of the Babouri-Figuil Basin, Northern
Cameroon. Arab J Geosci 16, 180 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023- 11275-7
5. Ngako, V., Affaton, P., Nnange, J. M., & Njanko, T. (2004). Pan-African tectonic evolution in central and
southern Cameroon: transpression and transtension during sinistral shear movements. Journal of African
Earth Sciences, 39(3-5), 285-297.
6. Njilah, I. K., & Ngos, S. (2021). Soil organic carbon stocks and total nitrogen contents in agroforestry
systems and adjacent agricultural fields in south-eastern Cameroon. Agroforestry Systems, 95(2), 631-
643.
7. Wright J, Hastings DA, Jones W, Williams H., 1985. Geology and mineral resources of West 864 Africa.
British library catalogue ISBN 0-04-556001-3.
8. Nnange, J. M. (2013). The Geology and mineral resources of Cameroon. Springer Science & Business Media.
9. Ring, U., Gessner, K., Glodny, J., Thomson, S. N., Will, T., Korschinek, G., & Merchel, S. (2015). Post-collisional
switch from slab break-off to intracrustal origin of magmatism: evidence from the Cameroon Volcanic
Line, West Africa. Lithos, 232, 224-241.
10. Bitchong, A. D., Tsafack, N. P., Mbome, L. I., & Nya, J. (2022). Soil and Water Management Practices and
their Impacts on Crop Yield and Income of Farmers in Mbonge Subdivision, Cameroon. Agriculture, 12(1),
1-18.
11. ASTM. (2014). ASTM D4378 - 97(2014) Standard Practice for In-Service Monitoring of Mineral Turbine
Oils for Steam and Gas Turbines. ASTM International.
12. Bouyo, H. R. T., Kouankap Nono, G. D., & Tchouankoue, J. P. (2015). Yield and nitrogen uptake of maize (Zea
mays L.) as affected by addition of NPK and/or organic manure in Northern Cameroon. Agricultural
Sciences, 6(12), 1502-1517.
13. Ndjeng, E. (1992). Geology of the Méiganga area, Central Cameroon. PhD thesis, University of Yaoundé,
Cameroon.

14. Spackman, W. E. (1958). Alternate methods of calculating X-ray powder-diffraction patterns. Journal of
Applied Physics, 29(3), 482-488.
15. ICCP and TSOP. (2002). The non-volatile macerals. International Committee for Coal and Organic
Petrology and The Society for Organic Petrology.
16. Mastalerz, M., Sýkorová, I., & Simpson, E. (2018). Coal petrography: essential for exploration and
utilization of strategic fuels, including critical and strategic minerals. International Journal of Coal Geology,
189, 84-99.
17. Flores, D., & Suárez-Ruiz, I. (2017). Organic petrology and Type II kerogen evolution in Lower Jurassic coal
seams from the Alava Block (north-central Spain), Basque-Cantabrian Basin. International Journal of Coal
Geology, 177, 139-154.
18. Price, L. C., & Baker, A. J. (1985). Continuous measurement of optic density and dielectric properties of
petroleum and coal materials. Applied Optics, 24(15), 2345-2351.
19. Stach, E., Mackowsky, M. T., Teichmüller, M., Taylor, G. H., Chandra, D., & Teichmüller, R. (1982). Stach's
textbook of coal petrology. Gebruder Borntraeger.
20. Hallam, A. (1980). The role of calcareous nannoplankton in pelagic marine sedimentation. Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society B, 289(1034), 1-24.
21. Tourtelot, E. B. (1979). Geologic Atlas of Africa, With Notes on Stratigraphy, Tectonics, Economic Geology,
and Geohazards, 1: 5,000,000. US Geological Survey.
22. Littke, R., & Sachsenhofer, R. F. (1994). Organic matter types in Tertiary and Jurassic coals of the
Intracarpathian and Transcarpathian basins (Poland and Ukraine). International Journal of Coal Geology,
26(1-4), 339-360.
23. Saidou, H., Yinda, G. S., Ngosong, C., Nkengfack, A. E., Tchuenteu Tchernin, M., & Nola, M. (2022). Estimation
of Genetic Diversity Among Nine West and Central African Clones of Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)
Using Inter-simple Sequence Repeat Markers. Agricultural Sciences, 13(1), 97-111.
24. Guiraud, R., & Maurin, J. C. (1992). Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rifts in western Tethys. Bulletin des
Centres de Recherches Exploration-Production Elf-Aquitaine, 16(2), 441-466.
25. Yandoka, B. K., Cournède, C., & Colin, F. (2019). From tectonic inheritance to magmatic processes: A review
of the Late Cretaceous-Tertiary evolution of the southernmost part of the Central African Shear Zone in
NW Congo (Central Africa). Journal of African Earth Sciences,

EJAS-15591 - Paper Publication

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EJAS-15591 - Paper Publication

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

EJAS-15591 - Paper Publication

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No.

Exploring the Potential of Black Shale Source Rocks in the

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Fig.1: Map of Benue Trough and Babouri-Figuil basin relationship [10].

MATERIALS AND METHODS

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 305

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 306

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 307

Fig. 4: Generalized correlation of logged sections in study area [4] .

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 308

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 309

Table 2a: *Kerogen Composition (%)

Table 2b: *Possible original composition

Table 3: Organic content (Mineral free basis) of sample MF7

a) Representative field of view in reflected white light

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 310

c) Example of single large area of vitrinite observed in this sample

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 311

e) Dull yellow/orange fluorescing spore (centre)

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 312

f) Vitrinite lens (centre) with a reflectance of 0.35%Ro.

Thermal Maturity and Depositional Environment

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 313

Fig.6: Vitrinite reflectance of sample MF7

Table 4: Vitrinite Reflectance measurement data on Collotelinite in Sample MF7

In the study of paleodepositional environments in the Babouri-Figuil basin, [19] utilized

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 314

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 315

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 316

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.115.15591 317

You might also like