Characteristics of Gravity Flow Deposits in the Benin Basin (Benin) and Implications for Oil and Gas Exploration

ABSTRACT In recent years, the transform passive continental margin basins in the equatorial segment of the South Atlantic have frequently yielded significant hydrocarbon discoveries, attracting widespread attention. The depositional models of gravity flows and future exploration potential in these basins are currently a hot topic in deepwater hydrocarbon exploration. The Benin Basin, being relatively underexplored among the transform passive continental margin basins of the South Atlantic, warrants early‐stage research intervention. By utilising RMS amplitude attributes for energy consistency and applying reservoir inversion techniques, this study comprehensively processes 2D seismic data, revealing the sedimentary characteristics and depositional models of gravity flows in the Benin Basin. The basin exhibits a structural framework characterised by a narrow shelf and steep slope. The narrow shelf allows terrigenous sediments to be transported and dispersed into the deepwater slope under varying base‐level conditions, while the steep slope induces sediment instability, rapidly triggering the formation of gravity flows. It is found that the Benin Basin developed a multi‐phase, east‐to‐west channel‐lobe prograding system during the drift stage, which appears as multi‐phase stacked units in 2D seismic cross‐sections. The distribution of channels is not only influenced by local topography but also modified by bottom currents, which further enhances reservoir properties. By integrating the regional tectonic evolution and sedimentary characteristics, the petroleum system of the basin has been further defined, its petroleum geology characteristics predicted, and its exploration potential highlighted. These findings reveal an undiscovered stratigraphic play within the Upper Cretaceous succession, underscoring the basin's significant petroleum potential.