Thermal conductivity and heat flow in the Southern Cooper Basin

Abstract

Exploration drilling in the Eromanga/Cooper basins (Fig. 1) has revealed downhole temperatures often considerably higher than those expected from the commonly assumed average geothermal gradient of up to 40°C/km (Fyfe et al. 1978). To quantify these observations in terms of the crustal heat flow, reliable estimates of the thermal conductivity for the lithologies present are required. As part of a project examining the evolution of the Eromanga Basin in central eastern Australia, thermal conductivity measurements have been made on a selection of sedimentary and basement rocks from northern South Australia. All measurements were made on samples in the dry and wet (water saturated) states using a divided bar apparatus. A complete description of the method and results is in preparation.