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Emily Barnabas Kiswaka

Senior Lecturer

School of Mines and Geosciences

Petroleum Science and Engineering

Biography

I completed my PhD at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 2020. My doctoral research focused on the Permo-Triassic depositional system of the Norwegian Sea, with particular emphasis on identifying Upper Permian organic-carbon-rich rocks as potential petroleum source rocks using seismic methods. The research was complemented by detailed elemental proxy analysis and core logging, providing a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the geological evolution and petroleum prospectivity of the basin.

My primary area of specialization is Petroleum Geology, with massive contribution in sedimentology, petroleum geochemistry, seismic interpretation, petrophysics, geological mapping, core logging, and seismic geomorphology. My research integrates geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets to investigate sedimentary basin evolution, petroleum systems, reservoir characterization, and hydrocarbon prospectivity. This multidisciplinary approach has enabled me to contribute to a deeper understanding of subsurface geological processes in both Norwegian and Tanzanian sedimentary basins.

My recent research has focused on the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the coastal and offshore Tanzanian basins, with additional contributions to the Eyasi-Wembere Basin. This work has involved reconstructing basin evolution and evaluating petroleum system elements, including petroleum source rocks, reservoirs, seals, migration pathways, and trapping mechanisms. I have also made contributions to petroleum geochemistry through studies on source rock characterization, elemental geochemistry, and the application of inorganic geochemical proxies to reconstruct depositional environments and assess petroleum systems.

In 2024, I held a one-year postdoctoral research contract at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, where I contributed to studies on the petrophysical characterization of pre-salt carbonate reservoirs in offshore Brazil. This appointment further strengthened my expertise in petroleum geology, carbonate reservoir characterization, and integrated subsurface evaluation.

In addition to my research activities, I have contributed to the geoscience community through editorial service. I have been serving as Editor of the Geological Society of Tanzania since 2022. Since January 2025, I have also been serving as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Sedimentary Environments, contributing to the advancement and dissemination of sedimentary geoscience research. Furthermore, since 2025, I have been serving as a member of the Editorial Board of Scientific Reports (Springer Nature), supporting the peer-review process and the publication of high-quality multidisciplinary scientific research. 

At the University of Dar es Salaam, I teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in General Geology, Petroleum Geology, Petroleum Geophysics, and Petrophysics. I have supervised numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, mentoring the next generation of geoscientists in petroleum geology and related disciplines. Alongside my teaching and research responsibilities, I have held several academic leadership positions within the School of Mines and Geosciences. I served as Postgraduate Coordinator for the Department of Petroleum Science and Engineering from 2020 to 2022 and as Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Exchange Coordinator for the School from 2022 to 2024. Since October 2024, I have been serving as Head of the Department of Petroleum Science and Engineering, providing academic leadership and strategic direction for the department.

Research Interest

My research interests are centred on Petroleum Geology, with emphasis on sedimentary basin evolution, petroleum systems, reservoir characterization, and integrated subsurface analysis. I investigate the evolution of sedimentary basins using seismic facies analysis, seismic stratigraphy, tectono-sedimentary reconstruction, and petroleum system evaluation to better understand hydrocarbon generation, migration, accumulation, and preservation.

My research also encompasses seismic geomorphology, petrophysics, and reservoir geology, integrating geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets to characterize reservoir heterogeneity and quality in both clastic and carbonate systems. This multidisciplinary approach improves subsurface characterization and supports hydrocarbon exploration, field development, and reservoir management.

In addition, I contribute to Petroleum Geochemistry through research on source rock characterization, elemental geochemistry, and the application of inorganic geochemical proxies to reconstruct depositional environments, evaluate source rock potential, and assess the controls on reservoir quality. By integrating geochemical data with sedimentological observations from cores and outcrops, I advance understanding of source rock development, basin evolution, and petroleum prospectivity.

Contacts

Email:

Projects

Project number SoMG-GY22042– 2022/2023 (UDSM grant)

-The project aimed to determine the age of the Eyasi-Wembere sedimentary successions in northeastern Tanzania and establish the paleo-depositional conditions through biostratigraphy, outcrop data and elemental proxies

-This project led to a publication, available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-024-00180-y

 

Project number SoMG-PSE22061 – 2022/2023 (UDSM grant)

-The project focused on characterizing the Permo-Triassic Karoo organic-rich sediments of the Tanga Basin in northeastern Tanzania, with the goal of contributing to petroleum discovery in the region

-This project led to a publication, available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-024-00143-5

Project number IMS-2309 – 2023/2024 (UDSM grant)

-The project aimed at the detailed geochemical characterization and correlation of oil seeps, playing a key role in advancing the exploration for oil in the promising coastal Tanzania basin

Publications

  1. Kayamba, M.M., Gama, J.W., Nton, M.E., Kagya, M. and Kiswaka, E.B., 2026. Source rock characterization of lower cretaceous to eocene sediments, Mafia Basin, Tanzania. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 19(5), p.69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-026-12463-x
  2. Gama, J.W., Kiswaka, E.B., 2026. Middle Jurassic (Bajocian-Callovian) Source Rock Evaluation across the Tanzanian Coastal Basin: A regional Synthesis. Journal of Petroleum Geology, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpg.70048
  3. Mulaya, E., Mtelela., C., Kiswaka, E.B., Kagya, M., Sabuni, R., Mbede, E.I., 2025. Discovery of oil seeps in the Rukwa Rift Basin, Southwestern Tanzania: origin, thermal maturity, and palaeoredox conditions. South African Journal of Geology, 128 (4), 511–524. https://doi.org/10.25131/sajg.128.0023
  4. Gama, J.W. and Kiswaka, E.B., 2025. Cenozoic palaeodepositional conditions and terrigenous sediment influx in the Eyasi-Wembere Basin, Northeastern Tanzania: Insights from elemental proxies. South African Journal of Geology, 128(4), pp.495-510. https://doi.org/10.25131/sajg.128.0010
  5. Kabohola, J. L., Saroni, J. J., Kiswaka, E. B., & Kazimoto, E. O. (2025). Facies analysis and depositional environments of the Lower Karoo-equivalent beds in the Tanga Basin, Northern coastal Tanzania. Mediterranean Geoscience Reviews, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-025-00179-1
  6. Gama, J. W., Kiswaka, E. B., Mboya, V. E., & Mohamed, H. L. M. (2025). Geochemical evaluation of the Cenozoic hydrocarbon source rocks in the Eyasi Wembere Basin, Northeast Tanzania. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-025-00243-8.
  7. Kiswaka, E.B., Gama, R (2025). An integrated seismic and petrophysical evaluation of central offshore Tanzanian Basin. Mar Geophys Res 46, 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-025-09564-9
  8. Mshiu, E.E., Kiswaka, E.B (2025). Using Remote Sensing for Seismic Interpretation (1st ed., p. 12). CRC Press, Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003485278-11.
  9. Kiswaka, E. B., Harishidayat, D., Mkinga, O. J., & Gama, J. W. (2024a). Hybrid turbidite-contourite system on the upper-slope continental margin of the offshore southern Tanzania. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 105496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2024.105496.
  10. Kiswaka, E.B., Gama, J.W., Mkinga, O.J., Mvile B. N., Malinzi, M. J. (2024b). Petrophysical assessment of the Miocene sandstone reservoirs in the Tanga Basin, Northern Coastal Tanzania. J. Sediment. Environ. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-024-00208-3.
  11. Mshiu, E.E., Kiswaka, E.B (2024). Deltaic sedimentation mechanisms in the southern Tanzania continental margin and their influence on reservoir occurrence. Med. Geosc. Rev. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-024-00144-4.
  12. Kiswaka, E.B., Stephen, E., Saroni, J.J., Emanuel, S., & Kazimoto, E. (2024c). The Permo-Triassic Karoo-equivalent organic-rich deposits of the Tanga Basin, Tanzania: sedimentary structures, depositional processes, and deposit types. Med. Geosc. Rev. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42990-024-00143-5.
  13. Kiswaka, E. B., Harishidayat, D., Mkinga, O. J., Evelyne, M., Mshiu, E. E., & Mtelela, C. (2024d). Seismic stratigraphy and petroleum prospectivity in the Northern Rovuma Basin, offshore Tanzania. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 107173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2024.107173.
  14. Kiswaka, E. B., & Mkinga, O. J. (2024). Petrophysical identification and characterization of Cenozoic hydrocarbon reservoir zones at the R field, northern Rovuma Basin, Tanzania. Geosystem Engineering, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/12269328.2024.2403353.
  15. Gama, J. W., & Kiswaka, E. B. (2024). Source rock potential of the Bajocian-Bathonian succession (Mtumbei Formation) in the Mandawa Basin, SE Tanzania. Acta Geochimica, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-024-00738-7.
  16. Gama, J. W., Kiswaka, E. B., & Mshiu, E. E. (2024). Influence of igneous intrusions on maturation of the Cretaceous-Eocene source rocks of the offshore Tanzanian Basin. Acta Geochimica, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-024-00730-1.
  17. Kiswaka, E. B., Harishidayat, D., Mkinga, O. J., & Saroni, J. J. (2024e). Late Cenozoic mass transport deposits in the offshore Tanzania continental margin. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 218, 105377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2024.105377.
  18. Selestin, E., Kiswaka, E. B, Mshiu, E. E, & Saitabau Lemna, O. (2024). Distribution of magmatic intrusions and key petroleum system elements in the Pliocene–Holocene Pangani Rift Basin, Northeastern Tanzania. Petroleum Science and Technology, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10916466.2024.2366461.
  19. Kiswaka, E.B., & Emanuel, S., 2024. Cretaceous deposits of the northern part of the southern offshore Tanzania: depositional system, seismic manifestation, well data expressions and their implications on petroleum system elements. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, pp.1-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-024-00178-6.
  20. Kiswaka, E.B., Mboya, V.E., Emanuel, S., Saroni, J.J. and Kasanzu, C.H. (2024f). The Eyasi-Wembere sedimentary successions, NE Tanzania: constraints from core and outcrop logging and elemental proxies. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, pp.1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-024-00180-y.
  21. Nyaki, F.C., Kiswaka, E.B., Boboye, O.A., Magohe S.P., Mshiu, E.E., Mtelela, C. (2024). Depositional and post-depositional architectural elements of the Dar es Salaam Platform, central coastal Tanzania: distribution of
  22. Kiswaka, E. B., Felix, M., & Næss, A. (2024). Palaeodepositional conditions of Permian organic-carbon-rich deposits of the Helgeland Basin, offshore mid Norway, based on elemental proxies and core logging. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-024-00167-9.
  23. Kiswaka, E. B., Mshiu, E. E., & Gama, J. W. (2024g). Is the offshore southern Tanzanian Basin an atypical igneous-sedimentary petroleum system?. Marine Geophysical Research, 45(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-023-09540-1.
  24. Kaborogo, F. S., Kiswaka, E. B., & Lazaro, M. B. (2023). Cost Estimation Proxy Models for Economic Evaluations in Petroleum Projects: A Case Study from the Onshore Gas Field in the Southern Coastal Tanzania Basin. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology, 42(4), 56-68. https://doi.org/10.52339/tjet.v42i4.867.
  25. Harishidayat, D. and Kiswaka, E. B. (2023). Seismic geomorphology of the basin floor area in the Northern North Sea: evolution of the Frigg submarine channels and their influence on sediment distribution. Journal of Environmental Earth Sciences, 82, 576 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11261-y.
  26. Shekarata, C.R., Mbede, E., Boniface, N., Mshiu, E.E., Kiswaka, E.B, and Harishidayat, D., 2023. Basin development and petroleum prospectivity of the hybrid turbidite-contourite system in the east Pande area, offshore Tanzania. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 208, p.105079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2023.105079.
  27. Mvile, B.N., Kiswaka, E.B., Osinowo, O.O., Mshiu, E.E. and Mboya, V.E., 2023. Timing of the Cenozoic magmatic intrusions in the offshore Tanga Basin, Tanzania: correlation to age equivalent deposits in the Eyasi-Wembere Basin and their implications for petroleum potential. South African Journal of Geology, 126(2), pp.217-234. https://doi.org/10.25131/sajg.126.0013.
  28. Mshiu, E. E. and Kiswaka, E. B., 2023. Different roles of tectonic events in the development history of the coastal Tanzania basin: remote sensing mapping and seismic interpretation results, and their implications for petroleum prospectivity.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11514-x.
  29. Kiswaka, E. B., Harishidayat, D., Mshiu, E. E., & Al-Shuhail, A. (2023). Architectural element variations across the offshore basin of Tanzania continental margin: influence of local factors in sedimentary processes and their implications for petroleum prospectivity. Marine Geophysical Research, 44(2), 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-023-09518-z.
  30. Kiswaka, E.B. and Mshiu, E.E., 2023. Mafia deep basin: basin development and petroleum system elements. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 8, 153–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-023-00128-8.
  31. Mvile, B.N., Kiswaka, E.B., Osinowo, O.O., Nalogwa, M.M., Mshiu, E.E. and Lemna, O.S., 2023. Geophysical analysis of the Tanga Basin, Northern Coastal Tanzania, based on gravity, aeromagnetic and 2D seismic data: implication for petroleum prospectivity. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 8, 139–152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-023-00126-w.
  32. Mshiu, E. E., Kiswaka, E. B., & Mohamed, B. (2022). Extensive salt deposition and remobilization influencing petroleum prospectivity of the Mandawa Basin: remote sensing manifestation confirmed by seismic results. Journal of Sedimentary Environments, 7(2), 147-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43217-022-00090-x.
  33. Mvile, B. N., Kiswaka, E. B., Osinowo, O. O., Marobhe, I. M., Olayinka, A. I., & Mshiu, E. E. (2021). Cretaceous–Quaternary seismic stratigraphy of the Tanga offshore Basin in Tanzania and its petroleum potential. Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology, 12, 279–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-021-01351-7.
  34. Kiswaka, E. B., & Felix, M. (2020a). Norwegian Sea area Permo-Triassic organic-carbon-rich deposits from seismic. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 119, 104463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104463.
  35. Kiswaka, E. B., & Felix, M. (2020b). Permo–Triassic sedimentary fills and tectonic phases off Mid Norway: seismic investigation of the Trøndelag Platform. Norwegian Journal of Geology, vol 100, 2020. doi - 10.17850/njg100-2-3.