--> ABSTRACT: Empirical Model of Temperature Structure, Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma, by Jaquidon D. Gallardo and David D. Blackwell; #91025 (2010)

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Empirical Model of Temperature Structure, Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma

Jaquidon D. Gallardo, David D. Blackwell

Attempts at mapping the thermal structure of sedimentary basins most often are based on bottom-hole temperature (BHT) data. Aside from the inaccuracy of the BHT data itself, this approach uses a straight-line geothermal gradient, which is an unrealistic representation of the thermal structure. In fact, the temperature gradient is dependent upon the lithology of the rocks because each rock type has a different thermal conductivity. The mean gradient through a given sedimentary section is a composite of the gradients through the individual sedimentary units. Thus, a more accurate representation of the temperature variations within a basin can be obtained by calculating the temperature gradient through each layer of contrasting conductivity. In this study, synthetic temperat re profiles are calculated from lithologic data interpreted from well logs, and these profiles are used to build a three-dimensional model of the temperature structure of the Anadarko basin. The lithologies that control the temperature in the Anadarko basin include very high-conductivity evaporites in the Permian, low-conductivity shales dominating the thick Pennsylvanian section, and relatively intermediate conductivity carbonates throughout the lower Paleozoic. Shale is the primary controlling factor because it is the most abundant lithology in the basin and has a low thermal conductivity. This is unfortunate because shale thermal conductivity is the factor least well constrained by laboratory measurements.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91025©1989 AAPG Midcontinent, Sept. 24-26, 1989, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.