Formation Temperature for a Given Gradient

Formation temperature is the temperature of a subsurface geological formation at a specific depth.  It is influenced by the geothermal gradient, which describes how temperature increases with depth beneath the Earth's surface.  The formation temperature can be calculated if the geothermal gradient and the surface temperature are known.

 

Formation Temperature for a Given Gradient formula
\( T_f \;=\; T_s \; g_g   \;(D\;/\;100)  \)     (Formation Temperature for a Given Gradient) \( T_s \;=\; T_f \; 100 \;/\; g_g \; D  \) \( g_g \;=\; T_f \; 100 \;/\; T_s \; D  \) \( D \;=\; T_f \; 100 \;/\; T_s \; g_g  \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( T_f \) = Formation Temperature	\(F\)	-
\( T_s \) = Temperature Near Surface	\(F\)	-
\( g_g \) = Geothermal Gradient	\(F \;/\; 100\;ft\)	-
\( D \) = Total Depth	\(ft\)	-