HYDROGEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION FOR

PRODUCTIVE BOREHOLE[S] CONSTRUCTION AT

ATABA COMMUNITY, ANDONI L.G.A, RIVERS STATE.

FIELD DATA ACQUISITION, INTERPRETATION AND REPORT PRESENTED BY

HILLTOP PROJECTS LIMITED

(EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS DIVISION)
PLOT 237, E.D.P.A.HOUSING ESTATE
UGBOWO, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE
Email: hilltop.projectsltd@gmail.com
TEL: 09026476706, 08069726057

AUGUST, 2022.
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL STATEMENT

The focus of this work is to evaluate through electrical resistivity geophysical

method, the hydrogeological conditions of this site for the purpose of
establishing the feasibility [or otherwise] of the construction of productive
borehole(s) at the designated site at Ataba community, Andoni L.G.A, Rivers
State.

A groundwater development programme that is expected to meet specific need,

for which it is being embarked upon, should be carefully thought out [planned]
in advance. Inadequate or outright negligence of planning has led to the
outrageous rates of failure, recorded in the past drilling works. These trends
have necessitated the absolute need for pre-drilling investigations (Offodile,
1983).

Geophysical exploration techniques have been very useful in providing accurate

geological information about the subsurface strata, beyond the reach of the
conventional soil testing methods. (Ako and Olorunfemi, 1989; Olayinka, 1999;
Olayinka and Olorunfemi, 1992).

1.2 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this investigation are as follows:

 Determine the pattern of the subsurface soil resistivity with depth.

 Evaluate the hydrogeologic characterization of the underlying aquifer
system at the designated points at the site based on the interpreted
geophysical data.
 Establish the feasibility [or otherwise] of the proposed borehole(s)
construction from hydrogeologic/hydrogeophysics point of view.
 Offer some professional guidelines that can ensure success for the
proposed borehole(s) at design and construction stages.

The field data acquisition team comprise of the following:

1. Victor Ighere – Team Leader

2. Yemi Odejobi – Geophysicist & Hydrogeologist
3. Omogbai Okpaise – Field Assistant
1.3 BRIEF GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY.

The study area is within the heart of the Niger Delta basin. Three sub – surface
stratigraphic units in the basin are: Benin, Agbada and Akata formations.

1.3.1 BENIN FORMATION

Benin formation extends from the west across the whole Niger Delta area and
southwards beyond the present coastline. It is over 90 0/0 sandstone with shale
intercalations. It is coarse grained, gravelly, locally fine grained, poorly sorted,
sub – angular to well rounded and bears lignite streaks and wood fragments. It
is a continental deposit of probable upper deltaic depositional environment.
Various structural units (point bars, channel fills, natural levees, backswamp
deposits, oxbow fills) are identifiable within the formation, indicating the
variability of the shallow water depositional medium. In the subsurface, it is of
Oligocene age in the north becoming progressively younger southward. In
general, it ranges from Miocene to Recent. The thickness is variable but
generally exceeds 6000ft. Very little hydrocarbon accumulation has been
associated with the formation.

1.3.2 AGBADA FORMATION

The underlying Agbada formation is a sequence of sandstones and shales. The

formation is rich in microfauna at the base decreasing upwards and thus
indicating an increasing rate of deposition in the delta front. A fluviatile origin
is indicated by the coarseness of the grains and the poor sorting.

The agbada formation occurs in the subsurface of the entire delta area and may
be continuous with the Ogwashi – Asaba and Ameki formations of Eocene –
Oligocene age. It is over 10000feet thick and ranges from Eocene in the north to
Pliocene/Pleistocene in the south and Recent in the delta surface. Major
hydrocarbon accumulations are found in the intervals between Eocene and
Pliocene age.

1.3.3 AKATA FORMATION

The lowermost unit (Akata formation) is a uniform shale development

consisting of dark grey sandy, silty shale with plant remains at the top. Thin
sandstone lenses occur near the top particularly near the contact with the
overlying Agbada formation. Planktonic foraminifera and the benthonic
assemblage indicates shallow marine shelf depositional environment.

It is believed to have been deposited in a front of the advancing delta and ranges
from Eocene to Recent. It is over 4000ft thick (Asseez, 1989).

1.4 SITE – SPECIFIC GEOLOGY

Ataba has a semblance of the upper deltaic unit of the Benin formation as
explained in detail above.

1.5 HYDROGEOLOGY

The hydrogeology of Ataba belongs to that of the Quartenary Deltaic formation.

This formation gives way into to the Tertiary geologic sequence deep down.
The Deltaic plains consist of coarse to medium – grained unconsolidated sands
forming lenticular beds with intercalation of peaty matter and lenses of soft,
silty clay and hales. Gravelly beds up to 10m thick have been reported
(Offodile, 2002). The water table condition is essentially phreatic and this may
give way to semi – confined or confined condition hundreds of meters deep
down.

2.0 FIELD PROCEDURE

Conventional Schlumberger electrode geometry was used for field data

acquisition two VES data at the site. The spread length for each VES data (i.e.
AB/2) was 250m. The terrain was generally flat with some gentle slopes. To
maintain a good quality assurance at during the field data acquisition, we
consistently maintained straight line and this was reflected in the smoothness of
the field data. ABEM Terrameter SAS 300C and other field accessories were
used in the data acquisition and a GPS app was also used to obtain geographical
coordinates and elevation of the VES points.

3.0 DATA INTERPRETATION

The acquired field resistivity [VES] data was initially interpreted manually with
curve matching and subsequently fine tuned using WinResist software to obtain
geoelectric parameters i.e. soil resistivity and layer thicknesses.

4.0 DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

The interpreted result for the VES data is presented as sounding curves and
descriptive geoelectric parameters. Eight and seven geoelectric layers were
delineated for the [interpreted] VES 1 and VES 2 respectively.

For VES 1, the first subsurface layer is lateritic topsoil with resistivity of
1202Ωm and a thickness of 2.0m. Layer 2 is the subsoil, 1.4m thick. Layer 3 is
the sandy/clayey horizon and the fourth layer is the sandy clay /clayey/sandy
clay/sandstone. Layer 5 is with appreciably low resistivity extensive thickness is
the target sandy aquifer. Layer six is another sandy/clayey horizon while the
seventh layer is another sandy aquifer. The eighth layer is another sandy
clay/clayey sand/sandstone horizon. The detailed description of the geoelectric
parameters for all VES points is shown in table 2.

4.1 HYDROSTRATIGRAPHY

Two aquifer units were delineated from the interpreted VES 1 data. These are
layers 5 and 7. The depth to the top and the base of layer 5 is 12.1 and 123.8m
respectively, while the depth to the top and the base of layer 7 is 166.3m and
194.3m respectively. The hydrostratigraphy of the site is consistent with the
subsurface geology of the site. The two saturated layers [aquifers] have
appreciable thickness and they are expected to be saturated enough to make the
proposed borehole(s) productive. However, the fifth layer is the target aquifer
because of its higher appreciable thickness and also has the tendency to have
better recharge since this upper aquifer is essentially phreatic. The second
aquifer unit is not the target aquifer because by the virtue of its deeper nature,
its mineralogy and groundwater quality would have undergone changes that
are capable of degrading the water quality to such an extent that can make
the water not potable and requiring extensive treatment. The target aquifer is
preferred because the groundwater quality here is expected to be better and
requiring minimal treatment. VES 2 is of a similar trend with VES 1. From the
analysis of the interpreted VES data, groundwater abstraction through the
construction of productive borehole(s) at the site is feasible. For the proposed
borehole(s) at the site, a maximum drilled depth of 100m (328ft) is
recommended.

4.3 BOREHOLE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.

The proposed borehole should be drilled first of all from top to the base with a
minimum diameter of 150mm (or more) and thereafter rimmed to a minimum
diameter of 200mm (or more). The aquiferous zone should be fully exhausted to
maximize yield into the proposed borehole. It is expected that the hole will be
gravel parked with quartz grain and not granite chippings. The area around the
borehole surface should also be finished with strong trapezoidal shaped concrete
apron so that infiltration of near surface contaminants and pollutants are
prevented from seeping into the groundwater.

It should also be noted at this point that projection about the proposed borehole
discharge at the pre – drilling stage like this is purely qualitative. The actual
discharge of the proposed borehole after the completion of drilling and well
development should be evaluated through a constant rate pumping test. The
constant rate pumping test will establish the maximum yield obtainable from the
borehole(s) and also provide the client with other aquifer hydraulics data that
will help in the management of the groundwater system at the site. A sound
drilling rig should be mobilized to the site for drilling and the entire borehole
construction process should be supervised and fully documented by a competent
hydrogeologist.

It should be stated clearly at this point that the geophysical investigation alone
does not guarantee success of borehole construction. The driller and his crew
under the overall supervision of a competent hydrogeologist must also bring
their expertise to bear on the drilling work for a sustainable success to be
achieved.
5.0 CONCLUDING REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the geophysical investigations that have been carried out at the site,
the following are hereby recommended:

 Maximum drilled depth of 100m [328ft].

 The hole should be drilled to a minimum diameter of ≥150mm and
rimmed to a minimum diameter of ≥200mm.
 The aquiferous zone should be fully exhausted to maximize yield.
 There should be no delay between drilling, well completion and
development.
 Constant rate pumping test should be carried out on the proposed
borehole(s) to established discharge obtainable and to acquire other
aquifer hydraulics data that are needed for groundwater system
management.
 Only a sound drilling rig with competent drilling crew should be
mobilized to site to commence work.
 The entire borehole construction process should be supervised and fully
documented by a professional hydrogeologist.

Report written and endorsed by

Solomon Oluyemi Odejobi BTech Applied Geophysics, MSc Hydrogeology,

PhD Applied Geophysics (in view), COMEG Registered Geoscientist.
 REFERENCES

Ako B.D and Olorunfemi, M.O (1989): Geoelectrical survey for

groundwater in the Newer Basals of Vom, Plateau State. Journal of Mining

and Geol

Asseez O.L 1989. Review of the Stratigraphy, Sedimentation and Structure

of the Niger Delta in Geology of Nigeria, edited by Kogbe C.A. 316 –
318.

Offodile, M.E. (1983). The Occurrence and Exploitation of Groundwater in

Nigerian Basement Rocks. Journal of Mining and Geology. Vol. 20, pp
131-145.

Offodile, M.E. (2002). Groundwater study and development in Nigeria. Pp 243-

248.

Olayinka, A.I (1990): Case histories of a multielectrodes resistivity profiling

array for groundwater in basement complex area of Kwara State, Nigeria.
Journal of Mining and Geol, Vol 26 pp 27-38.

Olayinka A.I and Olorunfemi, M.O (1992): Determination of geoelectrical

characteristics in Okene area and implications for borehole siting. Journal
of Mining and Geol, Vol 28 pp 403-412.
 APPENDIX
TABLE 1: GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES AND ELEVATIONS OF SAMPLED
VES POINT

POSITION ELEVATION [m]

S/N DESCRIPTION LATITUDE LONGITUDE [E]

[N]

1 VES 1 4.5593100 7.3167020

11.94

2 VES 2 4.5594130 7.3163850 14.84

TABLE 2a: GEOELECRIC PARAMETERS, INFERRED LITHOLOGY

[VES 1 ATABA]

S/N APP – RES [Ωm] THICKNESS [m] DEPTH [m] INFERRED LITHOLOGY

1 1202 2.0 2.0 LATERITIC TOPSOIL

2 1620 1.4 3.4 SUBSOIL

3 868 3.9 7.3 SANDY/CLAYEY LAYER

4 2161 4.8 12.1 SANDY CLAY/ CLAYEY SAND

5 233 111.7 123.8 TARGET SANDY AQIFER

6 742 42.5 166.3 SANDY/CLAYEY

7 170 28.0 194.3 SANDY AQUIFER

8 1518 - - SANDY CLAY/CLAYEY SAND/SANDSTONE

 TABLE 2b: GEOELECRIC PARAMETERS, INFERRED LITHOLOGY

[VES 2 ATABA]

S/N APP – RES [Ωm] THICKNESS [m] DEPTH [m] INFERRED LITHOLOGY

1 1309 1.6 1.6 LATERITIC TOPSOIL

2 863 1.7 3.3 SUBSOIL

3 1594 5.7 9.0 SANDY/CLAYEY LAYER

4 549 32.1 41.1 SANDY AQYUFER

5 2343 25.3 66.4 SANDY CLAY/CLAYEY SAND/SANDSTONE

6 501 15.9 82.3 SANDYAQUIFER

7 5455 - - SANDY CLAY/CLAYEY SAND/SANDSTONE

 GEOPHYSICAL FIELD DATA

LOCATION: ATABA COMMNITY, ANDONI L.G.A, RIVERS STATE.

VES 1 VES 2
S/N AB/2[m] APPARENT RESISTIVITY[Ohm-m]
1 2 1181 1256
2 3 1265 1237
3 4 1338 1087
4 6 1131 1100
5 8 1138 1155
6 12 1199 1238
7 15 1108 1114
8 25 846 839
9 32 663 837
10 40 531 746
11 50 448 754
12 80 300 1015
13 100 240 895
14 150 320 1203
15 200 270 1517
16 250 370 1824
SITE PICTURES

VES 2
VES 1