A Review of the Geology and the Petroleum Potential of the Cretaceous Tano Basin of Ghana

Abstract

This is a review of the geology and the petroleum potential of the Cretaceous Tano Basin of Ghana, one of the coastal sedimentary basins in Ghana. It is located on the West African Transform Margin. It initially evolved as a pull-apart basin and later became modified by wrench faulting in the Cretaceous period. It has been known to have potentials for hydrocarbons, as indicated by oils seeps observed in the late 19th century. The presence of active source rocks deposited in the Albian to Cenomanian as well as the Turonian charges the Upper Cretaceous reservoirs sealed by widespread marine shales, as well as faulted traps and pinch-outs, has spurred exploration efforts. Thus, as expected, commercial discoveries of oil and gas have been made in the Tano Basin which evidently has become a ‘hot cake’ in deepwater exploration, even though the ultradeep water could show even more exciting hydrocarbon plays.