ABSTRACT
Eight ditch cutting samples were collected from an OT-well, and subsequent analyses included lithologic and chemo-stratigraphic assessments. The predominant components of the samples were identified as sand and shale. The major oxides and trace elements analyzed encompassed SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, P2O5, K2O, MnO, MgO, Na2O, LOI, along with considerations for provenance, paleo-redox conditions, tectonic context, and sandstone classification for the sediments. Evaluation of the geochemical data unveiled that Silica (SiO2) had an average weight percentage of 92.20%, notably higher than the other oxides. The V/Cr and U/Th trace element ratios indicated an oxic deposition environment. Various bivariate plots and trace elemental ratios, such as Ni versus TiO2, La/Sc versus Th/Co, and Th/Sc, Th/Co, Cr/Th, and La/Sc, pointed to an acidic rock origin of the sediments. Employing the sandstone classification method based on K2O/Na2O versus SiO2 and Log (K2O/Na2O) versus Log (SiO2/Al2O3), the plots consistently positioned within the passive margin zone. Consequently, it was deduced that the sediments predominantly fell within the Fe-sand zone. Utilizing diverse chemical sandstone classification techniques, the sediments were consistently identified as predominantly Fe-rich sand, confirming the overall classification results.
