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Emily Kiswaka

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 area. The work primarily concentrated on using seismic methods to identify upper Permian organic-carbon-rich rocks. My research was supplemented by detailed work on elemental proxies and core logging, providing a multi-faceted approach to understanding the complex geological systems in the region.

With a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of geoscience, I have developed expertise in geological mapping, core logging, seismic interpretation, and the investigation of sedimentary deposits based on elemental proxies. In addition to my primary focus, I have significant expertise in seismic geomorphology and petrophysics, further enhancing my ability to analyze subsurface geological features and their physical properties. My work in these aspects has enabled me to contribute to a deeper understanding of sedimentary processes and reservoir characterization in Norwegian and Tanzanian basins.

My recent research has explored the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the coastal and offshore Tanzanian basin, with contributions to the Eyasi-Wembere basin as well. In this work, I have focused on establishing an understanding of the petroleum system elements, which has broadened my expertise in regional geology and petroleum systems analysis.

In 2024, I secured a postdoctoral position at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), with a focus on contributing to the geological understanding of pre-salt carbonate reservoirs, offshore Brazil. This new research position has allowed me to expand my expertise in reservoir geology and continue my work on subsurface geological characterization.

In addition to my research, I have made significant contributions to the geoscience community. I have been serving as the editor of the Geological Society of Tanzania for the 2022-2025 triennium, playing an active role in the advancement of geological research and knowledge. Since January 2025, I have also been working as an associate editor for the Journal of Sedimentary Environments, where I continue to contribute to the broader scientific community through my editorial work.

In my teaching role at the University of Dar es Salaam, I have been involved in the instruction of courses on general geology, petrophysics, petroleum geology, and petroleum geophysics. Additionally, I have had the privilege of supervising multiple postgraduate and undergraduate students, fostering the development of the next generation of geoscientists.

Alongside my academic and research contributions, I have held several management roles at the School of Mines and Geosciences, University of Dar es Salaam. I served as the Postgraduate Coordinator for the Department of Petroleum Science and Engineering from 2020 to 2022, and as the Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Exchange Coordinator for the School of Mines and Geosciences from 2022 to 2024. Since October 2024, I have been serving as the Head of the Department of Petroleum Science and Engineering, overseeing departmental management and strategic direction.

Research Interest

My research interests focus on the integration of seismic data and geological analysis to explore subsurface systems. Specifically, I concentrate on seismic facies and seismic stratigraphy to interpret the depositional history and evolution of sedimentary basins. 

I am also deeply engaged in seismic geomorphology, which involves studying the subsurface features of sedimentary deposits using seismic data. Additionally, my work includes basin and petroleum system modelling, with the aim to understand the dynamics of hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation. I combine these methods with petrophysics to analyse the physical properties of rock formations and their influence on reservoir quality. 

In sedimentology, I combine sedimentological observations from cores and outcrops with elemental proxies to reconstruct paleo-depositional conditions and understand the processes that shaped past environments. This multidisciplinary approach provides critical insights into ancient sedimentary environments and their respective petroleum systems.

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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.