Abstract: | Two methods for estimating the true formation temperature from well logs are compared. One method requires knowledge of the circulation time, whereas the other requires an estimate of the thermal diffusivity of the contents of the well. Both methods require three or more successive bottom-hole temperature measurements. Data from 157 wells have been analyzed, and the calculated formation temperatures from the two methods agree well. By an analysis of best matching of the two methods, it is found that 0.35 × 10-6 m2 s-1 is a good estimate for the thermal diffusivity of the well contents. |