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Outlier
Lv 4
Outlier asked in Science & MathematicsEngineering · 4 years ago

Geothermal gradient?

So, I want to know the general temperature of the subsurface at 16,000 ft. I decided to use the average geothermal gradient of 15 degF per 1000 ft and a standard temperature of 60 degF to obtain a temperature of 285 degF at a 16,000 ft depth.

But I realize that the temperature of boiling water is 212 degF.

Is it plausible that the water at that depth in the subsurface is basically steam then?

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  • oil field trash
    Lv 7
    4 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    If there is water at that depth it is usually under pressure and trapped in some sort of reservoir. It is common for oil produced from depths even deeper than 16,000 feet to have water associated with the oil.

    As to the gradient, look at the link below

    Source(s): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_gradient
  • Philomel
    Lv 7
    4 years ago

    Yes, there would be no water down that far.

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