Hydrocarbon potential of the intracratonic Ogaden Basin, SE Ethiopia

The intracratonic Ogaden Basin, which covers one-third of the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, developed in response to a tri-radial rift system which was active during Late Palaeozoic to Mesozoic times. Thick Permian to Cretaceous sequences, which principally occur in the SW and central parts of the basin, have proved petroleum potential. Reservoir rocks are mainly Permian to Lower Jurassic sandstones (the Calub and Adigrat Formations), and Callovian limestones (the Upper Hamanlei Formation). Source rocks are organic-rich Permian, Lower Jurassic and Callovian-Oxfordian lacustrine and marine shales. This paper reviews the petroleum geology of the Ogaden Basin and assesses potential exploration targets. Successful exploration can be expected in view of the recent discovery of the Calub gas and gas/condensate field, and the occurrence of significant shows in the centre of the basin together with seeps along the margin.