Exploring Geothermal and Hydrocarbon Potential with Aeromagnetic Data in Guri and Environs in Chad Basin
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study analyses aeromagnetic data over Guri and environs to evaluate geothermal and petroleum prospects. The Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) anomalies, ranging from –1324.43 nT to +997.75 nT, reveal significant subsurface heterogeneity, with strong positive anomalies linked to igneous intrusions and crystalline basement highs, and negative anomalies marking sedimentary basins and low-susceptibility rocks. Upward continuation to 4 km effectively suppresses shallow sources, enhancing deeper tectonic lineaments and basement structures critical for hydrocarbon and mineral exploration, while gridded continuation provides localized insights into anomaly orientations consistent with Nigeria’s basement complex geology. Spectral analysis identifies dual-depth magnetic sources, with shallow crustal features (~7–9 km) and deeper basement anomalies (20–45 km), underscoring a multi-layered crustal architecture. Curie point depth and geothermal gradient analysis highlight Blocks 1 and 2 as favourable for oil generation and geothermal exploitation, whereas deeper centroids in Blocks 3 and 4 suggest gas-prone systems with reduced geothermal viability. Overall, the integration of TMI mapping, upward continuation, and spectral analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of aeromagnetic methods in delineating intrusive bodies, tectonic lineaments, and geothermal potential across Nigeria’s inland basins. Based on these findings, hydrocarbon exploration should prioritize Blocks 3 and 4 for gas-prone systems and Blocks 1 and 2 for oil-prone zones. Geothermal energy development is best concentrated in Blocks 1 and 2, which exhibit favourable heat flow and gradients, while largescale geothermal investment in Blocks 3 and 4 should be avoided due to limited viability. These results provide a robust framework for guiding exploration strategies, supporting both hydrocarbon prospectivity and geothermal energy development in the region.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Share – Copy and redistribute the materials in any medium or format.
Adapt – Remix, transform, and build up the materials.
How to Cite
References
Abbas, M., Jimoh, A., Bonde, D. S., & Elinge, C. M.
(2024). Estimation of depth to basement within
Sokoto Basin for hydrocarbon exploration using
high-resolution aeromagnetic data by spectral
analysis. International Journal of Advances in
Engineering and Management (IJAEM), 6(1),
–590.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10694245
Abdulmumin, Y, Jibrin, A.I, Saidu, F, Kariya, I.I. &
Yusuf, J. (2024). Depth to basement estimation
and basement topographic mapping from
aeromagnetic data acquired over the central part
of the Bornu Basin, northeastern Nigeria;
implications for petroleum exploration. Fudma
journal of sciences, 8(3), 546-554.
Akagbosu, P. I., Areola, J. J., Ofi, A., & Odofin, D.
(2024). Geothermal energy assessment in Africa:
A pathway to renewable energy. Paper presented
at the SPE Nigeria Annual International
Conference and Exhibition, Lagos, Nigeria.
Society of Petroleum Engineers.
https://doi.org/10.2118/221722-MS/
Didi, C.N, Obiadi, I.I, Okeke, S.E, Anakor, S.N. &
Ikomi, M.K. (2020). Structural architecture of
Chad (Bornu) Basin using 3-D seismic data.
IOSR Journal of Applied Geology and
Geophysics, 8(4), 42–55.
https://doi.org/10.9790/0990-0804014255/
Didi, C.N, Osinowo, O.O. & Akpunonu, O.E. (2024).
The re-evaluation of the source rock potential of
Kolmani Field using outcrop data, ditch cutting
data, and 2D seismic data for enhanced
hydrocarbon prospectivity. Discover Geoscience,
Environmental Technology & Science Journal
Volume 17 Number 1 June 2026
(88). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2427-
Ekpo, A. E., Bassey, N. E., George, N. J., & Udo, I. G.
(2024). Curie point depth as a key indicator of
hydrocarbon maturity in the Southeastern Niger
Delta Basin: Insights from aeromagnetic data.
Researchers Journal of Science and Technology,
(5), 44–66. https://doi.org/10.60787/RJSTv4i5-44-66
El-Sadek, M.A. & Zaeimah, M.A. (2024). An attempt to
calculate the curie point in the Eastern part of
Egypt. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 221,
Ganiyu, S.A, Badmus, B.S, Awoyemi, M.O, Akinyemi,
O.D. & Olurin, O.T. (2013). Upward
continuation and reduction to pole process on
aeromagnetic data of Ibadan area, South-Western
Nigeria. Earth Science Research, 2(1), 1–12.
https://doi.org/10.5539/esr.v2n1p1/
Geolex Database. (2024). Precambrian basement
geology of northeastern Nigeria. Nigeria
Geological Lexicon.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10456791
Geolex Database. (2024). Volcanic extrusives in Bornu
Basin. Nigeria Geological Lexicon.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10456790
Goni, I, Vassolo, S, Sheriff, M, Aji, M, Bura, B. &
Ibrahim, Y. (2024). Geochemical and isotopic
studies in parts of the Hadejia-JamaareKomadugu-Yobe Basin, NE
Nigeria. Hydrogeology Journal, 32(1), 113-129.
Guimaraes, S.N., de Jesus, B.L. & Vieira, F.P. (2024).
Brazilian Curie isothermal mapping: the
THERMOMAG model. Geothermal
Energy, 12(1), 42.
Hamza, H, & Hamidu, I. (2012). Hydrocarbon resource
potential of the Bornu Basin Northeastern
Nigeria. Global Journal of Geological Sciences,
(1), 71–84.
Issa, T.A. Olatunji, S. & Omolaiye, G.E. (2024).
Upward Continuation and Reduction to Equator
Filters on Aeromagnetic Data of parts of Bida
Basin, Nigeria. Ilorin Journal of Science, 11(3),
-318.
Kovács, R. (2024). Heat equations beyond Fourier:
From heat waves to thermal
metamaterials. Physics Reports, 1048, 1-75.
Lailai, H.A, Mohammed, Y.B, Gazali, A.K, Hauwa, I.G,
Kuku, A.Y. & Sadiq, H.I. (2025). Granulometric
and sedimentological analysis of Kerri-Kerri
Formation exposed around Potiskum, NE
Nigeria. Journal of Sedimentology and
Stratigraphy, 12(4), 55–68.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2025.12.004/
Layade, G.O, Ogunkoya, C.O, Edunjobi, H.O, Ajayi,
K.D. & Olasupo, A. (2025). Application of
ground magnetic data for mapping burial depth
and characterizing subsurface geological
structures in Southwestern Nigeria. Dutse
Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 11(3a).
https://doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v11i3a.2
Magyar, I., Botka, D., Katona, L., Harangi, S., Lukács,
R., & Šujan, M. (2025). The Pannonian Stage:
Stratigraphy and geo-energy resources.
Geological Society, London, Special
Publications, 554(1), SP554-2024-60.
https://doi.org/10.1144/SP554-2024-60
Nnaemeka, E.K, Egwuonwu, G.N. & Onyekwelu, C.C.
(2023). Upward continuation and reduction to
equator filters on aeromagnetic data of Nkalagu
and Abakaliki regions of Lower Benue Trough,
Southeastern Nigeria. Bingham Journal of
Science, 10(5), 50–56.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10012345
Nwankwo, L. I. (2021). Geothermal energy resource
potential in Nigeria from aeromagnetic reviews:
Another panacea for energy crises and
environmental global warming. Facta
Universitatis, Series: Working and Living
Environmental Protection, 18(1), 1–9.
https://doi.org/10.22190/FUWLEP2101001N
Nwokoma, E.U, Ijeh, B.I, Azunna, D.E. & Anyadiegwu,
F.C. (2021). Heat flow and geothermal gradient
studies in parts of Southern Benue Trough.
Journal of the Nigerian Association of
Mathematical Physics, 60, 149–156.
Ohaegbuchu, H. E., Ijeh, B. I., Anyadiegwu, F. C.,
Nwokoma, E. U., & Musa, Y. A. (2025).
Integrated aeromagnetic and radiometric analysis
for geothermal and mineral resource assessment
in the Central Benue Trough, Nigeria. Discover
Energy, 6(12), Article 12.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43937-025-00012-9
Okon, E. E., Kudamnya, E. A., Oyeyemi, K. D., Omang,
B. O., Ojo, O., & Metwaly, M. (2022). Field
observations and geophysical research applied to
the detection of manganese deposits in the
Eastern Oban Massif, Southeastern Nigeria: An
integrated approach. Minerals, 12(10), 1250.
https://doi.org/10.3390/min12101250
Olurin, O. (2012). Upward continuation and reduction
to pole process on aeromagnetic data of Ibadan
area, South-Western Nigeria. Earth Science
Research, 2(1), 66–74.
https://doi.org/10.5539/esr.v2n1p66
Siloko, B. E. (2024). Human security, sustainable
livelihoods and development: The case of the
Niger Delta region in Nigeria. Global Discourse,
(aop), 1–22.
https://doi.org/10.1332/204378924X173867067
Environmental Technology & Science Journal
Volume 17 Number 1 June 2026
Simon, K, Ezskiel, K. & Vitalis, V. (2025).
Interpretation of high-resolution aeromagnetic
data to determine an alternative source for power
generation in Biu Plateau and environs,
Northeastern Nigeria. Open Journal of Geology,
(4), 220–231.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2025.154010
Smith, R. P. (2003). A geothermal exploration strategy
using high-resolution aeromagnetic surveys for
the Basin-and-Range Province. In Proceedings of
the Twenty-Eighth Workshop on Geothermal
Reservoir Engineering (SGP-TR-173). Stanford
University.
SRTM/ASTER global DEMs (2006). Topographic
Map of Guri and Environs. Generated by Google
Earth Pro (Version X.X) and GPS Visualizer
https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
United States Geological Survey (USGS) (2006).
Geologic Map of Guri and Environs,
Northeastern Nigeria, 1:100000 Scale. Retrieved
Upadhyay, R. K. (2025). Exploration of mineral
resources. In Geology and mineral resources (pp.
–723). Singapore: Springer Nature
Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-
-5_25
Xu, H, Wei, J, Han, X, Zhao, F, Zhou, J, Jiang, T., ... &
Wang, B. (2024). Characteristics of gravity and
magnetic anomalies and their petroleum
geological significance in the Yingen-Ejinaqi
Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. Journal of
Geophysics and Engineering, 21(1), 304-329.
Yassah, H. N., Onuoha, K. M., Mode, A. W., Ezekiel,
K., & Okoro, E. M. (2024). Estimation of Curiepoint depth, heat flow, and geothermal gradients
in Shelleng area and environs, north-eastern
Nigeria, from aeromagnetic data. Acta
Geophysica, 1–18.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11600-024-01352-0
Yohanna, A, Othniel, K.L, Sadiq, M.A, Sani, A,
Shekwonyadu, I, & Aliyu, M.K. (2023).
Application of integrated geophysical methods in
mapping the location of basaltic intrusions in
Mambilla Plateau and environs, Northeast
Nigeria. Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied
Sciences, 9(4a), 42–56.