"Thermal Properties and Temperature-Related Behavior of Rock/Fluid Systems" by Wilbur H. Somerton

Chapters deal with thermal properties of rocks, including heat capacities, thermal conductivities and thermal diffusivities under conditions simulating subsurface environments. Discussion about the difficulty in measuring thermal properties of rock/fluid systems is included along with newly-developed models for predicting thermal properties from more-easily measured properties. The effects of thermal reactions in rocks, differential thermal expansion, and thermal alterations are discussed in separate chapters. The effects of temperature on rock properties, as distinct from the irreversible effects of heating, are reviewed. Lastly the book deals with wellbore applications of thermal and high-temperature behavior of rocks and methods of deducing thermal properties from geophysical logs run in boreholes. Appendices include thermal units conversion factors and thermal properties of some typical reservoir rocks and fluids.

In the first chapter of this book, some of the important processes are described in which thermal data are needed. Several of the terms used repeatedly in the text are also defined. Later chapters deal with such matters as thermal properties of rocks, including heat capacities thermal conductivities and thermal diffusivities, under conditions simulating subsurface environments. Since thermal properties of rock/fluid systems are difficult to measure, a good deal of effort has gone into developing models that would predict thermal properties from moreeasily measured properties of the system. These models are discussed in Chapter VI. Heating or cooling of rocks can change their structures, alter minerals contained in the aggregate and, consequently, change their physical properties. The effects of thermal reactions in rocks, differential thermal expansion, and thermal alterations are discussed in separate chapters. The effects of temperature on rock properties, as distinct from the irreversible effects of heating, are also reviewed in a separate chapter.

Many processes involve flowing fluids in rock pore spaces. Heat transfer characteristics of the rock/fluid system are of particular importance in this case. A final chapter in the book deals with wellbore applications of thermal and hightemperature behavior of rocks and methods of deducing thermal properties from geophysical logs run in boreholes. The appendices include thermal units conversion factors and thermal properties of some typical reservoir rocks and fluids.