A heat flow profile across the Sverdrup Basin, Canadian Arctic Islands

Geophysics ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. Jones ◽  
J. A. Majorowicz ◽  
A. F. Embry

An average geothermal gradient of 25 ± 5 mK/m and an average heat flow of [Formula: see text] have been determined for 16 out of 20 analyzed wells along a profile across the Sverdrup Basin in the Canadian Arctic. These estimates, based on deep bottom‐hole temperature (BHT) data from exploration wells and the permafrost base boundary temperature, together with assumed heat conductivities from net rock analysis, are surprisingly low and disagree with previously published results based on shallow data. The differences may be due to the dramatic changes in boundary temperature conditions from moderate subsea conditions to ground‐surface low temperatures as a result of marine regression. Because of these effects, it appears that deep BHT temperature data are valuable in providing information about the deep heat flow. The heat flows thus determined indicate that the basin has approached thermal equilibrium.

Geophysics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 1105-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. Jones ◽  
J. A. Majorowicz ◽  
A. F. Embry ◽  
A. M. Jessop

Data from eleven petroleum exploration wells along a south‐north profile in the Sverdrup Basin of the Canadian Arctic Islands indicate large variations in temperature gradients(18 ± 2 to 39 ± 2 mK/m) and heat‐flow values [Formula: see text]. High values occur near the axis of the basin and values decrease systematically toward the southern and northern flanks of the basin. The basin axis in this area is the zone of maximum crustal attenuation and Lower Cretaceous dike and sill intrusion, but any thermal anomaly associated with these events will have dissipated by now. The present heat‐flow pattern is likely the result of thermal refraction or fluid flow in the basin.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 159-183
Author(s):  
Mazlan Madon ◽  
◽  
John Jong ◽  

An update of the geothermal gradient and heat flow maps for offshore Malaysia based on oil and gas industry data is long overdue. In this article we present an update based on available data and information compiled from PETRONAS and operator archives. More than 600 new datapoints calculated from bottom-hole temperature (BHT) data from oil and gas wells were added to the compilation, along with 165 datapoints from heat flow probe measurements at the seabed in the deep-water areas off Sarawak and Sabah. The heat flow probe surveys also provided direct measurements of seabed sediment thermal conductivity. For the calculation of heat flows from the BHT-based temperature gradients, empirical relationships between sediment thermal conductivity and burial depth were derived from thermal conductivity measurements of core samples in oil/gas wells (in the Malay Basin) and from ODP and IODP drillholes (as analogues for Sarawak and Sabah basins). The results of this study further enhanced our insights into the similarities and differences between the various basins and their relationships to tectonic settings. The Malay Basin has relatively high geothermal gradients (average ~47 °C/km). Higher gradients in the basin centre are attributed to crustal thinning due to extension. The Sarawak Basin has similar above-average geothermal gradients (~45 °C/km), whereas the Baram Delta area and the Sabah Shelf have considerably lower gradients (~29 to ~34 °C/km). These differences are attributed to the underlying tectonic settings; the Sarawak Shelf, like the Malay Basin, is underlain by an extensional terrane, whereas the Sabah Basin and Baram Delta east of the West Baram Line are underlain by a former collisional margin (between Dangerous Grounds rifted terrane and Sabah). The deep-water areas off Sarawak and Sabah (North Luconia and Sabah Platform) show relatively high geothermal gradients overall, averaging 80 °C/km in North Luconia and 87 °C/km in the Sabah Platform. The higher heat flows in the deep-water areas are consistent with the region being underlain by extended continental terrane of the South China Sea margin. From the thermal conductivity models established in this study, the average heat flows are: Malay Basin (92 mW/m2), Sarawak Shelf (95 mW/m2) and Sabah Shelf (79 mW/m2). In addition, the average heat flows for the deep-water areas are as follows: Sabah deep-water fold-thrust belt (66 mW/m2), Sabah Trough (42 mW/m2), Sabah Platform (63 mW/m2) and North Luconia (60 mW/m2).


Geophysics ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 572-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tien‐Chang Lee

Shallow‐hole (<13 m) temperature measurements made at various depths and/or times may yield reliable values of geothermal gradient and thermal diffusivity if the groundwater table is shallow (a few meters) such that the effect of time‐dependent moisture content and physical properties is negligible. Two numerical methods based on nonlinear least‐squares curve fitting are derived to remove the effect of annual temperature wave at the ground surface. One method can provide information on the gradient and diffusivity as a function of depth while the other gives average value over the depth interval measured. Experiments were carried in six test holes cased with 2 cm OD PVC pipes in the Salton Sea geothermal field. A set of 5 to 7 thermistors was permanently buried inside the individual pipes with dry sand. Consistent gradient determinations have been obtained with both numerical methods from six monthly observations. By linearly extrapolating the depths to the 100°C and 200°C isotherms from the calculated gradients and mean ground temperatures, we have found good agreement with the nearby deep‐well data for four holes. Discrepancy is found for two holes, one of which is located near the field of [Formula: see text] mud volcanoes and the other near the volcanic Red Hill, reflecting complicated local hydrologic conditions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1059-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Rath ◽  
J. F. González Rouco ◽  
H. Goosse

Abstract. The investigation of observed borehole temperatures has proved to be a valuable tool for the reconstruction of ground surface temperature histories. However, there are still many open questions concerning the significance and accuracy of the reconstructions from these data. In particular, the temperature signal of the warming after the Last Glacial Maximum is still present in borehole temperature profiles. It is shown here that this signal also influences the relatively shallow boreholes used in current paleoclimate inversions to estimate temperature changes in the last centuries by producing errors in the determination of the steady state geothermal gradient. However, the impact on estimates of past temperature changes is weaker. For deeper boreholes, the curvature of the long-term signal is significant. A correction based on simple assumptions about glacial–interglacial temperature changes shows promising results, improving the extraction of millennial scale signals. The same procedure may help when comparing observed borehole temperature profiles with the results from numerical climate models.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-211
Author(s):  
I.M. Okiyi ◽  
S.I. Ibeneme ◽  
E.Y. Obiora ◽  
S.O. Onyekuru ◽  
A.I. Selemo ◽  
...  

Residual aeromagnetic data of parts of Southeastern Nigerian sedimentary basin were reduced to the equator and subjected to magnetic vector inversion and spectral analysis. Average depths of source ensembles from spectral analysis were used to compute depth to magnetic tops (Z), base of the magnetic layer (Curie Point t Depth (CPD)), and estimate geothermal gradient and heat flow required for the evaluation of the geothermal resources of the study area. Results from spectral analysis showed depths to the top of the magnetic source ranging between 0.45 km and 1.90 km; centroid depths of 4 km - 7.87 km and CPD of between 6.15 km and 14.19 km. The CPD were used to estimate geothermal gradients which ranged from 20.3°C/km to 50.0°C/km 2 2 and corresponding heat flow values of 34.9 mW/m to 105 mW/m , utilizing an average thermal conductivity -1 -1 of 2.15 Wm k . Ezzagu (Ogboji), Amanator-Isu, Azuinyaba, Nkalagu, Amagunze, Nta-Nselle, Nnam, Akorfornor environs are situated within regions of high geothermal gradients (>38°C/Km) with models delineated beneath these regions using 3D Magnetic Vector Inversion, having dominant NW-SE and NE-SW trends at shallow and greater depths of <1km to >7 km bsl. Based on VES and 2D imaging models the geothermal system in Alok can be classified as Hot Dry Rock (HDR) type, which may likely have emanated from fracture systems. There is prospect for the development of geothermal energy in the study area. Keywords: Airborne Magnetics, Magnetic Vector Inversion, Geothermal Gradient, Heat Flow, Curie Point Depth, Geothermal Energy.


1966 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. S. B. Paterson ◽  
L. K. Law

Seven determinations of geothermal heat flow were made in the general area of southern Prince Patrick Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Measurements were made from sea ice in water depths of between 200 and 600 m. The mean heat flow for the two stations on the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean was 0.46 ± 0.08 μcal cm−2 s−1. The mean heat flow for the five stations in the channels to the east of Mould Bay was 1.46 ± 0.16 μcal cm−2 s−1. The instrument and field methods are described. Errors due to the instrument and to the environment are discussed.


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