Main controlling factors and exploration potential of hydrocarbon reservoirs in North Gabon sub-Basin

The North Gabon sub-Basin is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic rift and divergent margin basin. The oil and gas reservoirs in the basin were controlled by tectonic movements, sedimentary environments and salt structures. The east of the basin was eroded due to regional uplift, and source rocks and hydrocarbon reservoirs were destroyed, leading to a significant difference of hydrocarbon potential between the east and the west tectonic belts. Sedimentary environments impacted reservoirs. The Upper Cretaceous turbidity sandstones and offshore sandstones were important reservoirs for the post salt layers. Various traps developed, which were related to salt structure activities. Based on research of the turbidity sandstones and offshore sandstones of the post-salt layers, the main hydrocarbon reservoirs of the North Gabon sub-Basin mainly lie on the middle-south, deep ocean slope belt, which is the center of the major source rocks of the Azile Formation. Thanks to favorable sourcing and reserving conditions, the middle-south, deep ocean slope belthas considerable hydrocarbon prospects.