1887

Abstract

Summary

The Ntsela permit for potassium salts is 100 km northwest of Pointe Noire (Republic of Congo) in an Aptian basin located along the Atlantic margin. Several past explorations were focused on the Loémé Fm., consisting of a Salt Member followed by an Anhydritic Member. The former has a maximum thickness of 950 meters to the west, and less than 100 meters to the east. The potassium veins are almost continuous across the basin; due to tectonic phenomena, halokynesis caused the development of salt diapirs that peaked during Miocene.

A high-resolution seismic reflection survey (compressional P waves) was used as the most appropriate method to intercept the top of the formation containing potassium salts. However, a physical correlation of the reflectors was not possible, because the profiles are spaced out from each other and exploration wells are lacking.

Based on the interpretation of our profiles, the top of the salt is estimated at a depth between 340 m and 420 m, around 350–360 m and at 360–400 m. The shallower depth of the salt in correspondence with the diapiric phenomena does not constitute a positive element for exploration, given the chaoticization of the salt and the probable mixture with mud diapirs.

© EAGE Publications BV
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2025-09-07
2026-02-13

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/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520091
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Searching for Potash Salts in Ntsela Permit, Republic of Congo: Results of High-Resolution Seismic Reflection Survey
Conference Proceedings 2025, 1 (2025); https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202520091
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520091
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202520091
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