Generation of heat flow map over a part of the Cambay Basin, India using NOAA-AVHRR data

Abstract

Heat flow measurements carried out in the Cambay Basin, India indicate high heat flow values (1.8–2.2 μcal cm⁻² s⁻¹/77–92 mW m⁻²) compared to the normal heat flow values of approximately (1.4 μcal cm⁻² s⁻¹/58.6 mW m⁻²) for stable continental shield areas. This makes the region interesting from a tectonic as well as a geothermic point of view. The surface heat flow can be computed by multiplying the geothermal gradient by the rock conductivity. The paper develops a methodology to determine heat flow using a remote sensing technique. The same is then measured at a few points in-situ for validation and the methodology is then extended to a larger (potential oil basin) area using NOAA thermal infrared (IR) data. The comparison shows encouraging results at match points that may be useful for prospective hydrocarbon resources. The heat flow estimation technique using the remote sensing approach is, therefore, highly important and can be utilized as an alternative to conventional heat-flow estimation.

Keywords:

• Heat flow
• Thermal conductivity
• Surface temperature
• Intrusion
• Gravity anomaly
• NOAA-AVHRR

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the anonymous referees for their critical comments for the improvement of the manuscript. They are also thankful to Dr R. R. Navalgund, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC), Dr K. L. Majumder, Ex-Deputy. Director, Remote Sensing Applications and Image Processing Area (RESIPA)/SAC and Dr Ajai, Group Director, Marine and Earth Sciences Group (MESG) for their keen interest in this activity. Thanks are also due to Shri R. Bhattacharyya, Senior Research Fellow, Earth Sciences and Hydrology Division (ESHD)/MESG/RESIPA/SAC for his help. Geothermal data obtained from Keshava Deva Malaviya Institute of Petroleum Exploration (KDMIPE), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) gratefully acknowledged.