Genetic stratigraphy of a part of the Miocene Congo Fan, West Africa

•Submarine fan stratigraphy can be analysed by autogene and allogene responses.•Auto-cycle expresses as a sequence of slumps, debrites, densites, and turbidites.•Stacking auto-cycles of fan progradating or retrograding forms allo-cycle.•Seismic stratigraphy is effective for genetic stratigraphy of submarine fan.

The stratigraphic framework and reservoir distribution are essential factors controlling the accumulation of petroleum in the Miocene Congo Fan. Analysis of cores, well logs, and seismic data suggest that the submarine fan autocycle (genetic cycle) is presented by sequence of slump, debrite, densite currents, and turbidites, whereas allocycles (long-term cycles) may be composed of several autocycles (short-term cycles) that, appear as a stacking pattern or retrogradational fan. Scour surfaces at the base of gravity flow channel, stable hemipelagic mudstone section, and the surface between fan retrogradation and progradation can be used for the correlations.