Evidence for thermal convection in the deep carbonate aquifer of the eastern sector of the Po Plain, Italy

Temperatures recorded in wells as deep as 6km drilled for hydrocarbon prospecting were used together with geological information to depict the thermal regime of the sedimentary sequence of the eastern sector of the Po Plain. After correction for drilling disturbance, temperature data were analyzed through an inversion technique based on a laterally constant thermal gradient model. The obtained thermal gradient is quite low within the deep carbonate unit (14mKm−1), while it is larger (53mKm−1) in the overlying impermeable formations. In the uppermost sedimentary layers, the thermal gradient is close to the regional average (21mKm−1). We argue that such a vertical change cannot be ascribed to thermal conductivity variation within the sedimentary sequence, but to deep groundwater flow. Since the hydrogeological characteristics (including litho−stratigraphic sequence and structural setting) hardly permit forced convection, we suggest that thermal convection might occur within the deep carbonate aquifer. The potential of this mechanism was evaluated by means of the Rayleigh number analysis. It turned out that permeability required for convection to occur must be larger than 3 10−15m2. The average over-heat ratio is 0.45. The lateral variation of hydrothermal regime was tested by using temperature data representing the aquifer thermal conditions. We found that thermal convection might be more developed and variable at the Ferrara High and its surroundings, where widespread fracturing may have increased permeability. •Geothermal resources in the eastern sector of the Po Plain, Italy•Temperature data to depth up to 6km from petroleum exploration wells•Hydrothermal processes occurring in the deep carbonate reservoir