Geothermal Characteristics of Amguid Messaoud Oil Basin in Southern Algeria

Abstract

In this work, we used the thermal resistance algorithm to calculate the true formation temperatures in Agued Messaoud Basin, located in the central-eastern part of the Algerian Sahara, using data provided by oil companies. Bottom temperatures were obtained for 234 wells from various in formation records. Calculations were performed on 10 wells possessing records with complete information, as well as records for the temperature correction due to drilling effects. Then heat flux (HF) maps and 3D models for each geological formation were established. These maps and models are intended to show the differences across the basin associated with thermaland geological changes. To obtain the formation thickness needed for thermal resistance calculations, all the formation contacts as polynomial surfaces of the10 wells. We found an average basin HF ranging from 50 to 69 mW/m² and an average geothermal gradient of about2.375°C/100m which is consistent with previous studies in the central and northern Algerian Sahara.