Depth Estimation of Bitumen Deposit Using Integrated Geophysical Methods in Ijebu Itele Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria

Bitumen is a good source of alternative hydrocarbon because it possesses a relatively large quantity of naphthene, aromatics and asphaltenes that are similar to those in conventional oil. The depletion of crude oil reservoir all over the world has necessitated many countries to encourage many research works in the development of the resource, hence the motivation for this research work. This study investigates the subsurface structures of a portion of ijebu - itele, Ogun State Southwestern Nigeria with the objective of estimating the depth to the top of bitumen deposits. Five (5) profiles were used for the data collection using ground magnetic survey and electrical resistivity techniques. The Oasis Montage program and the Peter half slope method were used to process in order to enhance the accuracy of the interpretation. The results revealed majority of the bitumen deposits occurred at a shallow depth of 27.6 meters and 27.8 meters through electrical and magnetic methods, respectively. The results provide vital information for upcoming exploration and extraction activities.