GEOTHERMAL GRADIENTS AND GEOTHERMAL OIL GENERATION IN SOUTHERN IRAQ: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Abstract

Local geothermal gradients in South Iraq were used in calculating the time‐temperature indices of source rock maturation, as modified by Waples (1980). Accordingly, Cretaceous, Jurassic, Triassic and probably Paleozoic rocks are calculated to be with in the thermal petroleum generative zone in several parts of southern Iraq.