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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions
Vol. 39 (1989), Pages 159-170

Geothermal Patterns of Louisiana Previous HitSaltNext Hit Domes

Madhurendu Bhushan Kumar (1)

ABSTRACT

Seven Previous HitsaltNext Hit domes of Louisiana in the shallow to intermediate depth ranges were selected for the investigation of geothermal patterns associated with them. Based on formation temperatures determined from the bottom-hole temperatures of wells drilled in the Previous HitdomeNext Hit areas, isothermal contour mapping was conducted for each Previous HitdomeNext Hit on various depth levels.

The shallow Previous HitsaltNext Hit domes (those with Previous HitsaltNext Hit encountered at less than 4000 ft) mapped are Minden, Jefferson Island, and Calcasieu Lake. The isotherms demonstrate that at the 8000 ft level, the Minden Previous HitdomeNext Hit has a thermal low over the stock circled by a pronounced thermal halo. At the 10,000 ft level, the Jefferson Island Previous HitdomeNext Hit has a thermal high in the immediate vicinity of a young spine and a lack of thermal high over the older spine. At the 8000 ft level, the Calcasieu Lake Previous HitdomeNext Hit has two thermal highs separated by a thermal low. The intermediate Previous HitsaltNext Hit domes (between a depth range of 4000 ft and 10,000 ft) mapped are Bay Junop, West Bay, Bayou des Allemands, and Plumb Bob. The Bay Junop Previous HitdomeNext Hit is characterized by a thermal high on the three mapped levels of 10,000 ft, 12,000 ft, and 14,000 ft. Similar characteristics are displayed by the isotherms of the West Bay Previous HitdomeNext Hit on the 10,000 ft and 12,000 ft levels. On these same levels, the isotherms of the Bayou des Allemands Previous HitdomeNext Hit depict a low between two highs. Similar features are reflected on the Plumb Bob Previous HitdomeNext Hit at the 10,000 ft level.

All the isothermal maps portray a general rise in temperature toward the Previous HitsaltNext Hit stocks. Positive thermal anomalies, by and large, characterize the Previous HitdomeNext Hit flanks. However, the isotherms do not conform to the geometries of the domes. This is reflective of the influence of other geological factors such as geopressure, geomorphology of sand-bodies, shale thickness variation, the groundwater system, hydrodynamic conditions, sealing or non-sealing faults, bed geometries, etc.

The isotherms indicate lows (or absence of highs) over the shallow Previous HitsaltNext Hit stocks, for example, Minden Previous HitdomeNext Hit. Thermal highs are discernible over the deeper Previous HitsaltNext Hit stocks, for example, Bay Junop and West Bay domes.

The isotherms reflect the presence of two spines separated by a shear zone at the Jefferson Island Previous HitsaltTop domes; similar features are indicated by the isotherms of the Calcasieu Lake, Bayou des Allemands and Plumb Bob domes.


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