Outline

z Why does temperature increase with depth?

z Geothermal Gradient
Temperature z Sources of Heat
z Physics of heat transfer
In the Earth z

z
Heat Flow Equation
Role of Thermal Conductivity
z Sedimentary Basins and Salt Domes
z Heat transport by fluids
z T measurements in wells

Internal Heat Geothermal Gradient

Temperature increases with depth z Change of Temp with
Depth
Evidence?
z 25 C / kilometer
z Hotsprings (continental average)
z ~23 F / 1000 ft
Volcanoes
Te m pe rature (C)
z 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
z Varies with tectonic
Deep mines [at 3200m, 150 F (65 C)]
0
z setting
5
z Oil wells 10

Metamorphic rocks
Depth (km)

z
15

20

25

30

Sources of Heat
z Radioactive elements in rocks produce heat
Thermal Uranium (235U) Lead (205Pb)+ heat
Gradient Thorium (232Th) Lead (208Pb)+ heat
Potassium (40K) Argon (40Ar) and
Calcium (43,44C) + heat
 Geothermal
Physics of Heat
Gradient
z Heat?
Agitation of the atoms
Kinetic energy (at the atomic scale)

z Heat Flow?
Heat transfer per unit area
Transfer of the agitation of the atoms
Heat moves from hot to cold

Experiment:
Drink Hot coffee from metal Heat Flow Equation
cup and china cup Thermal Conductivity

q = -k . dT/dz
Heat flow (mW/m2) Thermal Gradient

Heat Flow Through a Layer Surface Heat Flow

z Heat transferred per unit area
T2 (hot) z 40 70 mW/m2 depending on tectonic setting
z ~50 mW/m2 continental average
Material Property
q
(k= conductivity) z 50% from crust, 50% from mantle

T1 (cold)
q = -k . dT/dz
 The Oil Window Role of Thermal Conductivity
Range of temperatures where maturation occurs: 60o 120o C z K (conductivity) W/moC
z Rock Type K
Te m pe rature (C)
(steel 46)
0
60o 100
120o 200 300
Salt 5.5
0
1 Dolomite 5.5
2
Granite 3.5
55 oC
3
/km Limestone 2.8 - 3.5
4
Depth (km)

Sandstone 2.6 - 4.0

16

5
oC

6 20 o Shale 1.5 3.0

/k

C/ Coal 0.3
m

7
8
km
Water 0.6
9
10

Role of Conductivity Effect of K variations

Temperature
z High K Rapid Heat Transfer Low Thermal Gradient
Sandstone K=2.5

z Low K Slow Heat Transfer High Thermal Gradient

Depth

T2 (hot) Salt K=5.5

High K Low K
Sandstone K=2.5

T1 (cold)

Hydrodynamic Effects
Sedimentary Basin z Water transports heat with it, or takes it away

T T
K=2.5 Shale

K=3.5 Granite

Constant Heat Flow

Gamma Ray Thermal log
log Temperature Measurements in
low high low high Wells
5550
Thermal z Measure bottom hole T
response to during each logging run

gas
5600
inflow T1

T2

5650 T3

Horner Plot
Temperature Disequilibrium
z During drilling, they pump drilling mud down the
well to control pressure Equilibrium Temp
z Drilling fluid cools the wellbore

t= time since end

T of mud circulation
dt= time of
circulation at that
T 0.1 dt/(t+dt) 1 depth
Time (days)

Take home ideas

z Geothermal gradient is about 25oC/km or 23oF/1000 ft
z Heat source are radioactive elements
z Oil window is at 2-5 km (6000-16000 ft) depth approx.
z Low conductivity rocks lead to high thermal gradient and
vice versa
z Moving fluids disturb the thermal structure
z Bottom-hole temperatures are not in equilibrium due to
mud circulation, need to be corrected