Abstract: Simulation of Geologic, Hydrodynamic, and Thermodynamic Development of a Sedimentary Basin--Quantitative Approach

M. Arif Yukler

A study was made to determine the quantitative energy transport in the sedimentary sequences of a basin. This was achieved by a dynamic model that accounts for the major mechanisms operating in a basin. Input data consisted of heat flux, initial physical and thermodynamic properties of the sediments, paelobathymetric estimates, and the sedimentation rate curve. A new differential equation for water flow in a compacting porous medium subject to a moving-boundary condition (sedimentation) was derived and coupled with a heatflow equation for the transfer of heat both by conduction and forced convection (owing to water movement). The model, then, computed the two unknowns, hydraulic head (or pore pressure) and temperature, as a function of time and vertical distance. The phys cal and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated iteratively from the pressure and temperature calculations. Parametric sensitivity analysis also was included in the model to determine the sensitivity of the system with respect to changes in the physical and thermodynamic parameters.

When applied to a Deep Sea Drilling Project site, this model proved to be successful in simulating the geologic, hydrodynamic, and thermodynamic development of the sedimentary sequences. The model results were compared with the measured physical and thermodynamic parameters and the temperature values. The amount of error between the computed and measured values was ± 6% for physical and thermal parameters and less than ± 0.5°C for temperature values.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90961©1978 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma