Method for exploring for hydrocarbons utilizing three dimensional modeling of thermal anomalies

In an improved computer-implemented process for exploring for hydrocarbons in a geologic volume which has been subdivided into a plurality of volumetric cells and wherein geologic properties have been assigned for each of the volumetric cells, the improvement comprising the steps of:

• (a) determining a normal gradient temperature for the geologic volume;
• (b) assigning an x, y, z temperature for each volumetric cell based on the normal gradient temperature of the geologic volume;
• (c) disposing a hypothetical hydrocarbon reservoir in the geologic volume;
• (d) with a computer means computing a true x, y, z temperature for each volumetric cell caused by disposing the hypothetical hydrocarbon reservoir in the geologic volume;
• and
• (e) determining a true hydorcarbon reservoir in the geologic volume from the true x, y, z temperature of each volumetric cell.

A computer-implemented process for exploring for hydrocarbons comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a geologic volume to a computer means from a geographic area that is to be investigated and where thermal anomalies are to be modeled for determining if a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir exist underneath the geographic area;
• (b) subdividing the geologic volume into a plurality volumetric cells;
• (c) assigning geologic properties for each of the volumetric cells;
• (d) determining a gradient temperature for the geologic volume;
• (e) assigning an x, y, z temperature for each volumetric cell based on the normal gradient temperature of the geologic volume;
• (f) disposing a hypothetical hydrocarbon reservoir in the geologic volume;
• (g) computing with the computer means a true x, y, z temperature for each volumetric cell caused by disposing the hypothetical hydrocarbon reservoir in the geological volume;
• and
• (h) determining a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir in the geologic volume from the true x, y, z temperature of each volumetric cell.

A computer-implemented process for collecting and processing data relating to exploring for hydrocarbons comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a geologic volume to a computer means;
• (b) subdividing the geologic volume in the computer means into a plurality volumetric cells;
• (c) assigning geologic properties for each of the volumetric cells;
• (d) determining a normal gradient temperature for the geologic volume;
• (e) assigning an x, y, z temperature for each volumetric cell based on the normal gradient temperature for the geologic volume;
• (f) disposing a hypothetical hydrocarbon reservoir in the geologic volume;
• (g) computing with the computer means a true x, y, z temperature for each volumetric cell caused by disposing the hypothetical hydrocarbon reservoir in the geological volume;
• and
• (h) determining a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir in the geologic volume from the true x, y, z temperature of each volumetric cell.