GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE UPEMBA GRABEN: SEDIMENTARY THICKNESS ESTIMATION VIA SOURCE PARAMETER IMAGING (SPI) OF REPROCESSED MAGNETIC DATA

Abstract

The Upemba Rift, located in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, constitutes a sedimentary sub‑basin that remains largely underexplored despite its presumed petroleum potential. Covering an area of approximately 46,519 km², it recently attracted attention during the licensing rounds launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons of the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the absence of modern seismic data as well as detailed geological and geochemical surveys significantly constrains the assessment of its hydrocarbon prospectivity. The only available information derives from the magnetic survey conducted by CGG in 1986, which has already been interpreted in various studies. Within this context, the present study – Geophysical characterization of structures in the Upemba Graben and estimation of sedimentary thickness using the Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) method: Reprocessing and integrated analysis of magnetic data – aims to propose a preliminary sedimentary model and to shed light on the morpho‑tectonic evolution of the basin, thereby further highlighting its petroleum potential as well as the maximum sedimentary thicknesses of this intra‑cratonic basin. The results obtained are based on an integrated methodological framework combining a multimodel numerical approach, critical and comparative analysis, and an in‑depth morpho‑tectonic interpretation, together with sediment thicknesses derived from the SPI method, emphasizing their quantitative contribution. Taken together, these elements provide a robust preliminary argument that contributes to a better understanding of the morpho‑tectonic history and sedimentary dynamics of the Upemba Graben and its petroleum system, thereby paving the way for increased interest from potential partners and renewed momentum in future exploration campaigns.