Estimation of Geothermal Gradient, Geothermal Heat Flux and Thermal Conductivity of Rocks in Western Niger Delta Using Well Log Data

Abstract

This study presents the result of the estimation of heat flow from six (6) wells (Well X:001 to 006) in South-Western Niger Delta using values of Geothermal gradient (GG), Geothermal heat flux (Q) and thermal conductivity (K) computed from Sonic and continuous temperature log data for each well. Geothermal gradient was computed from continuous temperature logs using the simple gradient method while geothermal heat flux and thermal conductivity of the rocks in the wells were computed from the sonic log data, using the Relative Heat Flow Model and Fourier One-dimensional Heat Flow Law respectively. The results were analysed and interpreted to investigate the thermal structure and pattern of heat flow distribution of the basin. Results showed that geothermal gradient ranges from 1.45⁰C/100m to a value of 1.61⁰C/100m, with a simple average of 1.55⁰C/100m. Geothermal gradient contour map computed from this result, showed a low thermal gradient at the northern part of the study area where we have Well X-006 and increases outwards in all direction as we move further offshore. These differences reflect changes in thermal conductivity of rocks, ground water movement and endothermic reaction during diagenesis, since geothermal gradient is influenced by lithology or differential rate of sedimentation. Therefore, it was inferred that sediments with a relatively high geothermal gradient (1.55 to 1.61⁰C/100m) will mature earlier (low oil window) than those with low thermal gradient values. By implication, a high geothermal gradient enhances the early formation of oil at relatively shallow burial depths, but causes the depth range of the oil window to be narrow, while low geothermal gradient causes the first formation of oil to begin at fairly deep subsurface levels, but makes the oil window broad. Geothermal heat flux estimated from subsurface temperature and one-way sound travel time, shows heat flux varying between 33.16 mWm^-2 to 72.73 mWm^-2 with a simple average of 48.43 mWm^-2. Low heat flux was observed at the central part of the study area which increases towards the western and eastern parts of the area with Well X-005 characterized by a higher geothermal heat flux. Therefore, it was inferred that the western and eastern parts of the study area with higher heat flux values may be characterized as zones with maximum sediment thickness and are characterized as having depressions (gravity low) on the geoid which is characteristics of a basin, while the central part of the study area with low heat flux values correspond with zones of minimum sediment thickness. Also, thermal conductivity of rocks in the study area computed directly from heat flux and geothermal gradient results, ranges from 2.28W/m⁰C to 4.76 W/m⁰C with an average of 3.19 W/m⁰C. Thermal conductivity contour map computed from this result, showed low thermal conductivity values observed at the central part of the study area, and increases outwards towards the west and eastern parts. This pattern of thermal conductivity variation suggests probably there exists heavy crude oil at the central part of the study area and lighter crude oil as we move outward in all direction. It was also observed that within each well, thermal conductivity increased with depth and decreased with porosity which may be caused by difference in lithology and fluid content, due to the fact that all pore fillers (i:e gases and liquids) are poor conductors. The estimated values of geothermal gradient, heat flux and thermal conductivity obtained in this study are similar to the results obtained from previous studies in the region and with other passive continental margins of the world.

Keywords: Heat flow, Geothermal Gradient, Geothermal Heat Flux, Thermal Conductivity, Continuous Temperature and Sonic log.

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/10-2-04

Publication date: April 30^th 2020