Correlation of Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Resistivity of Carbonates

Thermal properties are of interest for geothermal studies. A problem is to obtain thermal conductivity from in-situ conditions. One way to solve this problem is the application of relationships to other geophysical rock properties especially for carbonates. For selected carbonates from Austria the results of laboratory measurements of thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity as well as density are presented. The relationship is modelled with the equation of Archie and an inclusions model. So the complex pore space can be considered too. A good approximation of the experimental observations and the coupled influence of mineral composition and fracturing can be displayed. These calculations deliver the basis for a conversion of electrical data from logs into thermal properties to derive a “thermal conductivity log”.