USING GIS TO IMPROVE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY ESTIMATES

Mapping thermal conductivity measurements of core samples from a given formation shows spatial trends and by interpolating the measured values it is possible to obtain realistic estimates for the rest of the formation. Accurate estimates are important since many geologic and geothermal models use thermal conductivity as an input parameter; however, obtaining core samples and making thermal conductivity measurements is both time consuming and expensive.

Thermal conductivities of limestone core samples from the Madison formation in the Williston Basin were measured using the divided bar method and mapped in ArcGIS. Measured values ranged from 1.6 to 3.3 W/mK. A trend of increasing thermal conductivity values towards the center of the basin can be seen, and estimated conductivity values were obtained for the whole study area. Comparing the estimated values from the interpolation to actual measured values shows the accuracy of the estimates is significant enough for use in geologic modeling.