Geothermal Resource Maps and Bottom Hole Temperature Surveys

Abstract

Knowledge of subsurface temperatures obtained from heat flow and equilibrium temperature measurements were used as a basis for evaluation of the usefulness of the non equilibrium temperatures of the oil and gas wells for geothermal exploration. We find that the data in the Geothermal Gradient Map of North America do no conform to the thermal regimes of Nebraska; and, that if the BHT data were the only data used, we would have underestimated our resources by about 80%. Different in geological sections and heat flow between Nebraska and the U.S. Gulf Coast where the correction data for the USGS map were obtained are the reasons for the discrepancy. Some significant inaccuracies in the BHT data may not be correctable.