Geothermal Heat Flux at the COST B-2 and B-3 Wells, U. S. Atlantic Continental Margin

Geothermal Heat Flux at the COST B-2 and B-3 Wells, U. S. Atlantic Continental Margin PDF Author: B. Della Vedova
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ISBN:
Category : Continental margins
Languages : en
Pages : 664

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Heat flow estimates at two sites on the U.S. Atlantic continental margin are presented. An estimate of the heat flowing from the basement also has been obtained. About 4.8 km of sediments penetrated at the COST B-2 and 4.0 km at the COST B-3 were deposited since the Upper Jurassic. Well logs were used to evaluate thermal gradients and sedimentation rates, whereas thermal conductivities and radiogenic heat productions were measured on drill cuttings samples. A procedure to estimate in-situ thermal conductivity from drill cuttings and well logs is described. A substantial set of samples, in the form of drill cuttings, were sorted in four major lithologies: sandstones, siltstones, shales and limestones. Laboratory measurements of density, porosity, thermal conductivity, quartz (%), potassium (%), uranium (ppm) and thorium (ppm) were performed on 128 reorganized and pulverized samples. A significant correlation of the matrix thermal conductivity to quartz and potassium content was found. In situ porosity and volume fraction of each lithology, determined mainly from well logs, were used to calculate in situ mean thermal conductivity. Finally the mean in situ vertical component of the thermal conductivity, as required for heat flow values, has been estimated from a correction factor for the anisotropy of each lithology. The in-situ temperature and anisotropy effects substantially decrease estimates of thermal conductivity at depth. Below the uppermost 1 km in both wells the best estimate of the thermal gradient is 26.3°C km- 1 at COST B-2 and 26.1°C km- 1 at COST B-3, whereas in situ mean thermal conductivities range between about 1.8 and 1.9 W m- 1 K- 1 (4.3-4.5 T.C.U.). The average heat flow is estimated as about 45 mwm- 2 (1.07 H.F.U.) at COST B-2 and 44 mWm- 2 (1.06 H.F.U.) at COST B-3, with an uncertainty of about 20-25%. The mean radiogenic production in sediments at the two sites has been estimated as 1.83 (COST B-2) and 1.44 (COST B-3) 10- 6Wm- 3. With a 12-14 km thick sedimentary sequence a radioactive contribution of 20-25 mWm- 2 can be expected. The effects of sediment deposition, compaction, pore water advection and radiogenic heat production have been combined in a numerical model (Hutchison, 1985) to estimate the undisturbed basement heat flux. Although the sedimentation depresses the basement heat flux by 15-20%, this effect is more than compensated by radioactive heat production in the sediments, so that the surface flux is estimated to be higher than that from the basement. The latter is calculated at about 33-39 mwm- 2 (0.8-0.9 H.F.U.), a relatively low value. The overall uncertainity is about ± 20-25%, and other estimates on continental margins with thick sediments (e.g. Reiter and Jessop, 1985) probably have at least a similar uncertainty.

Geothermal Heat Flux at the COST B-2 and B-3 Wells, U. S. Atlantic Continental Margin

Geothermal Heat Flux at the COST B-2 and B-3 Wells, U. S. Atlantic Continental Margin PDF Author: B. Della Vedova
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Continental margins
Languages : en
Pages : 664

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Book Description
Heat flow estimates at two sites on the U.S. Atlantic continental margin are presented. An estimate of the heat flowing from the basement also has been obtained. About 4.8 km of sediments penetrated at the COST B-2 and 4.0 km at the COST B-3 were deposited since the Upper Jurassic. Well logs were used to evaluate thermal gradients and sedimentation rates, whereas thermal conductivities and radiogenic heat productions were measured on drill cuttings samples. A procedure to estimate in-situ thermal conductivity from drill cuttings and well logs is described. A substantial set of samples, in the form of drill cuttings, were sorted in four major lithologies: sandstones, siltstones, shales and limestones. Laboratory measurements of density, porosity, thermal conductivity, quartz (%), potassium (%), uranium (ppm) and thorium (ppm) were performed on 128 reorganized and pulverized samples. A significant correlation of the matrix thermal conductivity to quartz and potassium content was found. In situ porosity and volume fraction of each lithology, determined mainly from well logs, were used to calculate in situ mean thermal conductivity. Finally the mean in situ vertical component of the thermal conductivity, as required for heat flow values, has been estimated from a correction factor for the anisotropy of each lithology. The in-situ temperature and anisotropy effects substantially decrease estimates of thermal conductivity at depth. Below the uppermost 1 km in both wells the best estimate of the thermal gradient is 26.3°C km- 1 at COST B-2 and 26.1°C km- 1 at COST B-3, whereas in situ mean thermal conductivities range between about 1.8 and 1.9 W m- 1 K- 1 (4.3-4.5 T.C.U.). The average heat flow is estimated as about 45 mwm- 2 (1.07 H.F.U.) at COST B-2 and 44 mWm- 2 (1.06 H.F.U.) at COST B-3, with an uncertainty of about 20-25%. The mean radiogenic production in sediments at the two sites has been estimated as 1.83 (COST B-2) and 1.44 (COST B-3) 10- 6Wm- 3. With a 12-14 km thick sedimentary sequence a radioactive contribution of 20-25 mWm- 2 can be expected. The effects of sediment deposition, compaction, pore water advection and radiogenic heat production have been combined in a numerical model (Hutchison, 1985) to estimate the undisturbed basement heat flux. Although the sedimentation depresses the basement heat flux by 15-20%, this effect is more than compensated by radioactive heat production in the sediments, so that the surface flux is estimated to be higher than that from the basement. The latter is calculated at about 33-39 mwm- 2 (0.8-0.9 H.F.U.), a relatively low value. The overall uncertainity is about ± 20-25%, and other estimates on continental margins with thick sediments (e.g. Reiter and Jessop, 1985) probably have at least a similar uncertainty.

Energy Research Abstracts

Energy Research Abstracts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Power resources
Languages : en
Pages : 1684

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The Atlantic Continental Margin

The Atlantic Continental Margin PDF Author: Robert E. Sheridan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780813752044
Category : Continental margins
Languages : en
Pages : 632

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Regional Geology and Tectonics

Regional Geology and Tectonics PDF Author: David G. Roberts
Publisher: Newnes
ISBN: 0444595635
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 4045

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Volume 1A: Principles of Geologic AnalysisA "how-to" primer describes the basic concepts petroleum geologists and students need to understand hydrocarbon exploration in a broad range of geological settings globally. Volume 1B: Phanerozoic Rift Systems and Sedimentary BasinsIncorporates industry data to present regional seismic lines and cross sections to accurately document and analyze proven hydrocarbon systems. It also includes summaries of analogue and theoretical models as an essential backdrop to the structure and stratigraphy of a variety of geological settings. Volume 1C: Phanerozoic Passive Margins, Cratonic Basins and Global Tectonic MapsFocuses on both volcanic and non-volcanic passive margins as well as cratonic basins—critical habitats for hydrocarbons. It provides a unique basis for comparison of different passive margins and for an understanding of their structural and stratigraphic evolution, as well as their petroleum systems—especially useful to explorationists working in deep-water basins and researchers examining the tectonic evolution of the continent-ocean transition. A vast amount of data to enable hydrocarbon play assessments and analysis on passive margins is also included in this thorough yet accessible reference. Individual volumes can also be purchased:978044453042497804445635699780444563576 Volume 1A discusses in detail the principles of regional geological analysis and the main geological and geophysical tools used in basin analysis Volume 1B features simple documentation and analysis of major rift systems developed in contrasting geological settings as well as in-depth analyses of active rifts in various regions all over the world for immediately implementable petroleum exploration applications Volume 1C features real-world case studies and analyses, useful summaries of analogue and theoretical models, thorough documentation of numerous passive margins that are the focus of deep water oil exploration, and unique tectonic maps facilitating access to exact basin locations and their tectonic settings A companion website offers select downloadable images from the books: http://booksite.elsevier.com/9780444530424/index.php

Geological Studies of the COST Nos. G-1 and G-2 Wells, United States North Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf

Geological Studies of the COST Nos. G-1 and G-2 Wells, United States North Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf PDF Author: Peter A. Scholle
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Borings
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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U.S. Geological Survey Circular

U.S. Geological Survey Circular PDF Author:
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ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 622

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Geological Survey Circular

Geological Survey Circular PDF Author:
Publisher:
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Category : Geology
Languages : en
Pages : 396

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Regional Geology and Tectonics: Phanerozoic Rift Systems and Sedimentary Basins

Regional Geology and Tectonics: Phanerozoic Rift Systems and Sedimentary Basins PDF Author: David G. Roberts
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0444563636
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 566

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Expert petroleum geologists David Roberts and Albert Bally bring you Regional Geology and Tectonics: Phanerozoic Rift Systems and Sedimentary Basins, volume two in a three-volume series covering Phanerozoic regional geology and tectonics. Experience in analyzing and assessing rifts—locations where the Earth's outer shell and crust have been stretched over time by seismic activity—is critical for you as an exploration geologist in identifying Earth's most lucrative hydrocarbon locations in which extraction is both efficient and safe. Vast compilations of related industry data present regional seismic lines and cross sections, and summaries of analogue and theoretical models are provided as an essential backdrop to the structure and stratigraphy of various geological settings. - Named a 2013 Outstanding Academic Title by the American Library Association's Choice publication - A practical reference for petroleum geologists that discusses the importance of rift systems and the structural evolution of the Earth - Analyses of active rifts in East Africa, China, Siberia, the Gulf of Suez, and the Russian Arctic provide immediately implementable petroleum exploration applications in regions heavily targeted by oil & gas companies - Presents overviews of sequence stratigraphy in rifts and structural controls on clastic and carbonate sedimentation—critical to the exact mapping of the most lucrative hydrocarbon locations by exploration geologists

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New Publications of the Geological Survey PDF Author: Geological Survey (U.S.)
Publisher:
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Category : Geology
Languages : en
Pages : 582

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Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971-1981

Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey, 1971-1981 PDF Author:
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Category : Geology
Languages : en
Pages : 544

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