INTEGRATED GEOSCIENCE, AND GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS FOR HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION IN THE KHEWARI BLOCK, SINDH, PAKISTAN

INTEGRATED STRATIGRAPHIC AND PETROPHYSICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE MADUKY FIELD, NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR RESERVOIR ARCHITECTURE AND HYDROCARBON PROSPECTIVITY

The Maduky Field, situated within the Coastal Swamp depobelt of the Niger Delta Basin, represents a structurally complex and geologically heterogeneous marginal field with untapped hydrocarbon potential. This study integrates 3D seismic interpretation, well log correlation, sequence stratigraphy, and petrophysical analysis to characterize its reservoir architecture and evaluate hydrocarbon volumes. Structural mapping reveals prominent listric growth faults and rollover anticlines that define three main field compartments, each with distinct depositional and trapping characteristics. Sequence stratigraphic analysis, guided by five regionally correlated Maximum Flooding Surfaces (MFSs), delineates Genetic Sequences and system tracts (HST, TST, LST), each with unique parasequence stacking patterns and reservoir geometries. The highstand and lowstand system tracts host the most prolific reservoirs, characterized by clean, coarsening-upward sand bodies with high net-to-gross ratios and favorable porosity-permeability relationships. Petrophysical evaluation across five wells indicates effective porosity values of 20–34%, permeability ranging from 2.50 to 18 mD, and low water saturation (8–35%), confirming reservoir quality suitable for commercial exploitation. Crossplots further demonstrate the controls of porosity and depositional environment on fluid distribution and reservoir performance. The study identifies key hydrocarbon-bearing units sealed by marine shales associated with MFSs and quantifies Stock Tank Oil Initially In Place (STOIIP) across fault blocks, highlighting potential development zones. These insights support the redevelopment of Maduky Field and provide a scalable model for optimizing marginal field performance in mature deltaic basins.

Structural and thermal analysis of geothermal prospectivity in the Midyan Basin, NEOM, Saudi Arabia

The Midyan Basin in the NEOM region of northwestern Saudi Arabia is a promising yet underexplored geothermal province situated within the tectonically active Red Sea Rift and Gulf of Aqaba transform system. Despite evidence of elevated regional heat flow and shallow Curie depths, the structural controls governing geothermal fluid circulation remain poorly constrained. This study identifies structurally controlled geothermal targets by integrating remote sensing, airborne geophysics, and field observations within a unified exploration framework. Multi-temporal Landsat-8 imagery acquired during six months of the year 2024 was used to derive land surface temperature (LST) through radiance-to-brightness temperature conversion and NDVI-based emissivity correction. Surface structural lineaments were interpreted from multidirectional hillshade models derived from a 30-m digital elevation model (DEM), while subsurface fault systems were delineated from airborne magnetic data using tilt-derivative analysis. Fault fracture density (FFD) mapping identified structurally enhanced permeability zones, which were integrated with persistent LST anomalies to delineate geothermal prospectivity. The analysis identified 5,809 surface lineaments and 1,262 basement-rooted magnetic lineaments, both dominated by NW–SE and NE–SW structural trends associated with the Red Sea Rift and Gulf of Aqaba transform system. Geothermal prospectivity is concentrated within discrete basement-rooted fault corridors rather than being uniformly distributed across the basin. The highest-confidence targets occur along the western and northwestern coastal escarpments, where high surface and subsurface fracture densities spatially coincide with persistent multi-season thermal anomalies, indicating enhanced permeability and structurally controlled heat transfer. Three priority geothermal target zones (Surface Zones A, B, and C and corresponding Subsurface Zones A′, B′, and C′) were identified, with Zone B/B′ representing the most prospective area owing to its strong structural continuity across surface and subsurface datasets. Field observations of dense fracture networks, fault-controlled granite–carbonate contacts, and subvertical dike swarms further corroborate the interpreted permeability pathways. Although direct geothermal manifestations and drilling data are not yet available, the integrated structural, thermal, and field evidence demonstrates that the Midyan Basin possesses favorable geological conditions for both hydrothermal resources and Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The proposed workflow provides a robust, cost-effective screening approach for reducing exploration uncertainty and prioritizing geothermal targets. It also guides future geothermal exploration and development within NEOM.

Geochemical and Geophysical Evaluation of Structural Pathways Controlling Metallic Mineralization in the Okemesi Fold Belt, Southwestern Nigeria

The Okemesi Fold Belt, located within the southwestern Nigerian Basement Complex, is a structurally complex Pan-African terrain with documented occurrences of gold and base-metal mineralization. However, systematic evaluation of its structural and lithological controls remains limited. This study applies an integrated geological, petrographic, geophysical, radiometric, and geochemical approach to delineate structurally controlled mineralized zones and develop a mineral systems framework. Airborne aeromagnetic and radiometric datasets from the 2009 Fugro survey were processed using reduction to the equator, regional–residual separation, analytical signal enhancement, lineament extraction, and Euler deconvolution to map lithological boundaries, faults, and shear zones. Radiometric data for K, Th, and U were analyzed to identify hydrothermal alteration and lithological variations. These datasets were integrated with 1:25,000-scale geological mapping, petrographic analysis of representative lithologies, and multi-element geochemical analyses of thirty-six rock samples, including migmatites, banded gneisses, schists, quartzites, pegmatites, and charnockites. Multivariate statistical analyses highlighted significant elemental associations and anomalous zones. Results indicate that mineralization is structurally controlled, with shear zones, faults, and lithological contacts acting as primary fluid conduits. Geophysical anomalies coincide with hydrothermal alteration zones, felsic intrusions, and pegmatitic bodies, while petrographic evidence confirms deformation-enhanced recrystallization and sulfide mineralization. This integrated study provides a robust exploration model for structurally controlled, basement-hosted mineral systems and defines priority targets for follow-up investigations in southwestern Nigeria and analogous Pan-African terranes.

Combined geophysical approach for subsurface structural mapping and modeling in Badrouna –Sidi Ismail intramontane plain (Northwestern Tunisia): Hydrogeological implications

Geomorphic and Remote Sensing‐Based Evaluation of Active Faults and Geological Hazards in the Muzaffarabad Region, NW Himalaya

Geomorphic features, drainage patterns and topography are key indicators of active tectonics. This study examines geomorphological characteristics and geological hazards, specifically earthquakes and landslides, in the Muzaffarabad region. The findings contribute to disaster risk reduction and achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Field‐based geomorphological studies and satellite imagery were used to analyse the geomorphological characteristics of the region. Five geomorphic indices, namely asymmetry factor (AF), drainage basin shape index (Db), slope analysis, valley floor width‐to‐height ( V f ) ratios and hypsometric curves, were calculated using shuttle radar topography mission digital elevation model (SRTM DEM). Features such as drainage offsets, stream deflections, faceted spurs, seismicity, deformed recent sediments and point bars dissection near the Jhelum and Muzaffarabad faults suggest left‐lateral oblique‐slip motion, indicating the tectonically active nature of these faults. The geomorphic and neotectonics analysis concludes that the Muzaffarabad region is highly susceptible to earthquakes and landslides, particularly, in fault‐affected areas. A flood susceptibility analysis using multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in ArcGIS was conducted to enhance climate resilience and disaster preparedness (SDG 13) and support (SDG 6) by identifying flood‐prone areas. Three high‐risk flood zones were identified: Neelum River–Shawai Nala confluence, Jhelum–Neelum rivers convergence at Domel and a low‐lying area near the Lohargali landslide. This study highlights the importance of integrating morphometric, geomorphological and geospatial techniques for effective disaster risk reduction (SDGs 11 and 13), climate‐resilient infrastructure (SDG 9), addressing SDG 6 and sustainable urban development, ensuring long‐term safety in tectonically active regions. Additionally, the methodology in this study, integrating multiple existing techniques, can be expanded for hazard assessment in other regions.

A Decadal Review of Geophysical Investigations in the Southern Kaduna Basement Terrain, North-Central Nigeria: Structural, Mineral, Groundwater and Seismotectonic Perspectives

The southern Kaduna axis, comprising the Kachia, Kagarko, Kwoi, Kafanchan, Kagoro and Zonkwa districts of north-central Nigeria, lies within the Pan-African crystalline Basement Complex and constitutes a structurally complex terrain of migmatite-gneiss, older granite, younger granitoid and minor meta-volcano-sedimentary lithologies. Over the last decade, the area and its immediate environs in the wider Central Nigeria Basement province have attracted considerable geophysical attention, driven by interest in solid-mineral exploration, groundwater resource evaluation, geothermal appraisal and the investigation of intraplate seismicity. This paper synthesizes geophysical research undertaken within and around the study area (7°30'–8°30'E; 9°00'–10°00'N) between 2015 and 2025, integrating the regional geological map and an aeromagnetically-derived lineament map of the corridor with a structured review of 45 peer-reviewed sources. Aeromagnetic studies utilising multiple filters and Euler deconvolution techniques consistently delineate NE-SW and subordinate NW-SE trending basement fabrics that coincide with mapped fault and shear-zone traces from Masaka through Kagarko to Kachia, and from Kwoi-Nok-Chori to Kafanchan. These structures are implicated in localized mineralization, groundwater accumulation in fractured/weathered basement aquifers, and in the spatial clustering of low-magnitude earth-tremor activity reported across the Central Nigeria seismotectonic province. Complementary electrical resistivity (VES/ERT), aero-radiometric, gravimetric and remote-sensing/DEM studies are reviewed and synthesized into a unified structural-tectonic framework. Knowledge gaps are identified, including the scarcity of site-specific high-resolution aeromagnetic coverage, and the near-absence of integrated geophysical multi-method campaigns dedicated specifically to the Kachia-Kagarko-Kwoi-Kafanchan-Kagoro-Zonkwa corridor. Recommendations are proposed for future high-resolution, multi-parameter geophysical campaigns to support sustainable mineral, water and infrastructural development in the region.