journal article·2025-03-13Open access

Tectono-Stratigraphic Framework and Hydrocarbon Potential in the Albert Rift, Uganda: Insights from Basin and Petroleum System Modeling

Lauben Twinomujuni, Keyu Liu, Hafiz Ahmed Raza Hassan, Kun Jia, Shunyu Wang, Tonny Sserubiri, Mathias Summer

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 6

Abstract

The Albert Rift in Uganda is a significant geological and petroleum exploration frontier within the East African Rift System. The basin has been comprehensively analyzed thorough the means of literature survey, seismic data analysis, well-log interpretation, and basin and petroleum systems modeling to examine the complex interactions of tectonics, sedimentation, and hydrocarbon generation and expulsion within the rift basin. Our findings reveal a detailed tectonostratigraphic framework with multiple Neogene to Quaternary depositional sequences and structural features influencing hydrocarbon maturation, generation, and expulsion. Key stratigraphic units are identified, highlighting their contributions to a viable petroleum system present within the basin. The Albert Rift is a Neogene petroleum system that is currently generating and expelling hydrocarbons to various potential traps. Mid-Miocene sediments were deposited in a favorable lacustrine environment as a viable source rock, which began generating and expelling hydrocarbons from the Middle to Late Pliocene in the deeper parts of the rift basin, while those deposits in shallower areas have only recently entered the oil window and have yet to start major petroleum generation.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Geological and Geophysical Studies · Reservoir Engineering and Simulation Methods · Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China

Laoshan National Laboratory, Qingdao 266071, China

Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda

Directorate of Petroleum, Entebbe P.O. Box 9, Uganda

Funding

Major Research Project on the Tethys Geodynamic System of the National Natural Science Foundation of China

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