1D Whole-Lithosphere Thermal Modelling

Overview:

Heat is a 1D forward-modelling program for predicting heat-flow history, geothermal history, maturation history and horizon-temperature history at well or pseudo-well locations.

Heat allows the user to input a 1D stratigraphic section and very quickly model the thermal history.

The following geological constraints are incorporated in Heat's calculations:

Tectonic history, the thermal consequences of multiple rifts.

Whole-lithosphere thermal perturbation through time, a consequence of the tectonic history.

Crust & lithosphere thinning, can be considered as uniform with depth or depth-dependent.

Burial history, defined by input stratigraphy and lithology, with compaction incorporated

Lithologically-controlled thermal conductivities within the sediment fill

Radiogenic heat input from both the crustal basement and the sediment fill

The thermal consequences of igneous intrusion into the basement or sediment fill

Heat produces depth-scaled temperature profiles together with predictions of source rock maturation (vitrinite reflectance), both of which can be calibrated against present-day downhole measurements of temperature and maturation index (%VR).

Key Features:

1D whole-lithosphere thermal model
Incorporating thermal contributions from the mantle, crust, sediment infill (including lithologically-controlled conductivities) & tectonic history to give a complete thermal model

Quantify heat-flow history
Heat-flow history for both the top-basement and top-sediment interfaces is predicted, spanning the full time history of the input stratigraphy.

Vitrinite reflectance & temperature calibration
Predicted values of vitrinite reflectance and temperature can be calibrated against downhole measurements.
Maturation index (%VR) and temperature can be overlaid as a backdrop to the complete burial history of the stratigraphic sequence (see image above).

Fast & efficent
Input of stratigraphy is intuitive, simple and easily integrated with parameters controlling tectonic and geological history. The calculation engine is optimised so that models run in seconds, making iteration rapid and straightforward.

Easy to use
Designed to be used by all geoscientists who wish to investigate the thermal consequences of the processes which generate extensional basins and continental margins.

Outputs:

Top-basement and top-sediment heat-flow history

Top-basement tectonic-subsidence history

Basement crustal-thickness history

Whole-lithosphere-temperature vs depth history (geotherm profiles)

Horizon burial history, with overlay of maturation index and temperature

Horizon temperature history

Horizon vitrinite reflectance (%VR) history

Geothermal gradient within sediment fill

Present-day temperature-vs-depth profile, with temperature calibration

Present-day vitrinite-reflectance-vs-depth profile, with %VR calibration