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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 Salt Domes

Madhurendu Bhushan Kumar (1)

ABSTRACT

Seven salt 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 dome areas, isothermal contour mapping was conducted for each dome on various depth levels.

The shallow salt domes (those with salt 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 dome has a thermal low over the stock circled by a pronounced thermal halo. At the 10,000 ft level, the Jefferson Island dome 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 dome has two thermal highs separated by a thermal low. The intermediate salt 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 dome 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 dome on the 10,000 ft and 12,000 ft levels. On these same levels, the isotherms of the Bayou des Allemands dome depict a low between two highs. Similar features are reflected on the Plumb Bob dome at the 10,000 ft level.

All the isothermal maps portray a general rise in temperature toward the salt stocks. Positive thermal anomalies, by and large, characterize the dome 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 salt stocks, for example, Minden dome. Thermal highs are discernible over the deeper salt 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 salt domes; similar features are indicated by the isotherms of the Calcasieu Lake, Bayou des Allemands and Plumb Bob domes.


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