Integrated Seismic Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation for Hydrocarbon Volumetric Estimation in the BUKS Offshore Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Research Article  ·  Published: 02 July 2026
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Reservoir Science
Volume 2, Issue 3, 2026: 261-271
Research Article Open Access

Integrated Seismic Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation for Hydrocarbon Volumetric Estimation in the BUKS Offshore Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria

1 Department of Physics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike 440101, Nigeria
* Corresponding Author: Chukwuebuka Nnamdi Onwubuariri, [email protected]
Volume 2, Issue 3

Article Information

Published in Reservoir Science
Pages 261-271

Abstract

Hydrocarbon reserve estimation and reservoir characterization remain critical aspects of field development planning, particularly in mature offshore basins such as the Niger Delta. This study integrates 3D seismic interpretation with petrophysical analysis to evaluate reservoir quality and estimate hydrocarbon volumes within the BUKS offshore field, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Structural interpretation of the seismic data identified a NNW-trending rollover anticline associated with four major listric growth faults (F1–F4), forming the principal trapping system in the field. Petrophysical evaluation of four wells revealed favourable reservoir properties, with average porosity values ranging from 25% to 31%, permeability between 83 and 1452 mD, and shale volume varying from 20.5% to 38.6%. Water saturation values range from 15% to 41%, corresponding to hydrocarbon saturation values of 59%–85%, indicating good hydrocarbon potential across the mapped reservoirs. Volumetric calculations based on the interpreted reservoir parameters yielded a combined Stock Tank Oil Initially in Place (STOIIP) estimate of approximately 45.37 MMSTB, while a conservative recovery factor of 10% suggests recoverable reserves of about 4.54 MMSTB. The results indicate that the BUKS field possesses good reservoir quality, and the recoverable volume, while modest, may warrant further appraisal to assess development options, including potential tie-back to existing regional infrastructure. The study further demonstrates that integrating seismic interpretation with conventional petrophysical evaluation provides a practical and reliable approach for preliminary reserve estimation and field appraisal in offshore Niger Delta reservoirs.

Graphical Abstract

Integrated Seismic Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation for Hydrocarbon Volumetric Estimation in the BUKS Offshore Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Keywords

Niger Delta BUKS field seismic interpretation petrophysical evaluation empirical volumetric method oil in place

Data Availability Statement

Data will be made available on request.

Funding

This work was supported without any funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

AI Use Statement

The authors declare that no generative AI was used in the preparation of this manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

References

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Cite This Article

APA Style
Onwubuariri, C. N., Aigba, P. I., Dinneya, O. C., & Nwokoma, E. U. (2026). Integrated Seismic Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation for Hydrocarbon Volumetric Estimation in the BUKS Offshore Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Reservoir Science, 2(3), 261-271. https://doi.org/10.62762/RS.2026.932280
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TY  - JOUR
AU  - Onwubuariri, Chukwuebuka Nnamdi
AU  - Aigba, Paul Igienekpeme
AU  - Dinneya, Obinna Christian
AU  - Nwokoma, Esomchi Uzoma
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/02
TI  - Integrated Seismic Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation for Hydrocarbon Volumetric Estimation in the BUKS Offshore Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria
JO  - Reservoir Science
T2  - Reservoir Science
JF  - Reservoir Science
VL  - 2
IS  - 3
SP  - 261
EP  - 271
DO  - 10.62762/RS.2026.932280
UR  - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/RS.2026.932280
KW  - Niger Delta
KW  - BUKS field
KW  - seismic interpretation
KW  - petrophysical evaluation
KW  - empirical volumetric method
KW  - oil in place
AB  - Hydrocarbon reserve estimation and reservoir characterization remain critical aspects of field development planning, particularly in mature offshore basins such as the Niger Delta. This study integrates 3D seismic interpretation with petrophysical analysis to evaluate reservoir quality and estimate hydrocarbon volumes within the BUKS offshore field, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Structural interpretation of the seismic data identified a NNW-trending rollover anticline associated with four major listric growth faults (F1–F4), forming the principal trapping system in the field. Petrophysical evaluation of four wells revealed favourable reservoir properties, with average porosity values ranging from 25% to 31%, permeability between 83 and 1452 mD, and shale volume varying from 20.5% to 38.6%. Water saturation values range from 15% to 41%, corresponding to hydrocarbon saturation values of 59%–85%, indicating good hydrocarbon potential across the mapped reservoirs. Volumetric calculations based on the interpreted reservoir parameters yielded a combined Stock Tank Oil Initially in Place (STOIIP) estimate of approximately 45.37 MMSTB, while a conservative recovery factor of 10% suggests recoverable reserves of about 4.54 MMSTB. The results indicate that the BUKS field possesses good reservoir quality, and the recoverable volume, while modest, may warrant further appraisal to assess development options, including potential tie-back to existing regional infrastructure. The study further demonstrates that integrating seismic interpretation with conventional petrophysical evaluation provides a practical and reliable approach for preliminary reserve estimation and field appraisal in offshore Niger Delta reservoirs.
SN  - 3070-2356
PB  - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge
LA  - English
ER  - 
BibTeX Format
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@article{Onwubuariri2026Integrated,
  author = {Chukwuebuka Nnamdi Onwubuariri and Paul Igienekpeme Aigba and Obinna Christian Dinneya and Esomchi Uzoma Nwokoma},
  title = {Integrated Seismic Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation for Hydrocarbon Volumetric Estimation in the BUKS Offshore Field, Niger Delta, Nigeria},
  journal = {Reservoir Science},
  year = {2026},
  volume = {2},
  number = {3},
  pages = {261-271},
  doi = {10.62762/RS.2026.932280},
  url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/RS.2026.932280},
  abstract = {Hydrocarbon reserve estimation and reservoir characterization remain critical aspects of field development planning, particularly in mature offshore basins such as the Niger Delta. This study integrates 3D seismic interpretation with petrophysical analysis to evaluate reservoir quality and estimate hydrocarbon volumes within the BUKS offshore field, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Structural interpretation of the seismic data identified a NNW-trending rollover anticline associated with four major listric growth faults (F1–F4), forming the principal trapping system in the field. Petrophysical evaluation of four wells revealed favourable reservoir properties, with average porosity values ranging from 25\% to 31\%, permeability between 83 and 1452 mD, and shale volume varying from 20.5\% to 38.6\%. Water saturation values range from 15\% to 41\%, corresponding to hydrocarbon saturation values of 59\%–85\%, indicating good hydrocarbon potential across the mapped reservoirs. Volumetric calculations based on the interpreted reservoir parameters yielded a combined Stock Tank Oil Initially in Place (STOIIP) estimate of approximately 45.37 MMSTB, while a conservative recovery factor of 10\% suggests recoverable reserves of about 4.54 MMSTB. The results indicate that the BUKS field possesses good reservoir quality, and the recoverable volume, while modest, may warrant further appraisal to assess development options, including potential tie-back to existing regional infrastructure. The study further demonstrates that integrating seismic interpretation with conventional petrophysical evaluation provides a practical and reliable approach for preliminary reserve estimation and field appraisal in offshore Niger Delta reservoirs.},
  keywords = {Niger Delta, BUKS field, seismic interpretation, petrophysical evaluation, empirical volumetric method, oil in place},
  issn = {3070-2356},
  publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}

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