Characteristics of Geo‐Temperature Gradient Distribution in the Kuqa Foreland Basin on the North Edge of the Tarim Basin, Western China

Abstract Based on the geo‐temperature data of 109 wells in the Kuqa foreland basin on the north edge of the Tarim basin, the characteristics of temperature field distribution are presented. The average geo‐temperature gradients of different structural units of Kuqa basin range from 18°C/km to 28°C/km, which are comparably lower than those of any other large and middle size basins in China. So the Kuqa foreland basin is globally a cold one with lower temperature. In detail, the distribution of geo‐temperature gradient of Kuqa foreland basin can be described as following. The mountain frontier belts including the Yiqikelike, Kelasu and Dawanqi areas have relatively high geo‐temperature gradients compared with other structural units of Kuqa. From the north to south of Kuqa, the geo‐temperature gradient decreases gradually. At the south of Kuqa, the geo‐temperature gradient is evidently different. In general, the geo‐temperature gradients decrease with the increasing of depth, tending to be identical at depth. But the rates of decrease are all different at different tectonic settings. The relationship between geo‐temperature gradient and formation and tectonic evolution of basin in relation to hydrocarbon exploration is also discussed.