Formation Temperature

Formation temperature is the temperature of geological formations, typically within the Earth's subsurface.  This temperature is used various fields such as geology, petroleum engineering, and geothermal energy.  Formation temperature helps in understanding the geothermal gradient, which is the rate at which the Earth's temperature increases with depth.  This gradient varies significantly depending on the geological and tectonic settings.  The temperature of geological formations can influence the type and stability of minerals found in a region.  Accurate knowledge of formation temperature is crucial for managing oil and gas reservoirs.  Temperature affects the viscosity and flow properties of hydrocarbons.

Identifying and quantifying geothermal resources involves measuring the formation temperature to estimate the potential for heat extraction.  The temperature data is essential for designing geothermal wells and selecting appropriate materials that can withstand the high temperatures encountered.  The temperature data obtained during drilling may be affected by the process itself, requiring corrections to estimate the true formation temperature.

 

Formation Temperature formula
\( T_f = T_a + (T_g \; TVD )  \)     (Formation Temperature) \( T_a = T_f - (T_g \; TVD )  \) \( T_g = T_f  -  T_a  \;/\;  TVD \) \( TVD =   T_f  -  T_a  \;/\;  T_g   \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( T_f \) = formation temperature	\(F\)	-
\( T_a \) = ambient surface temperature	\(F\)	-
\( T_g \) = temperature gradient	\(F\;/\;ft\)	-
\( TVD \) = true vertical depth	\(ft\)	-