P³ - PetroPhysical Property Database – Readme

http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.005

Kristian Bär 1, * , Thomas Reinsch 2 , Judith Bott 2 , Alexander Strom 2 , Jessica Freymark 2

1. Technische Universität Darmstadt , Institute of Applied Geosciences, Department of

Geothermal Science and Technology, Schnittspahnstrasse 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
2. GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam ,
Germany
*
corresponding author

1. Licence

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

2. Citation
Bär, Kristian; Reinsch, Thomas; Bott, Judith (2019): P³ - PetroPhysical Property Database. V. 1.0.
GFZ Data Services. http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3

The P³ - PetroPhysical Property Database is supplemented by standardised catalogues for

petrographic and stratigraphic information available at:

Bär, Kristian; Mielke, Philipp; Knorz, Katharina (2019): Petrographic Classification Table for the
PetroPhysical Property Database P³. V. 1.0. GFZ Data Services.
http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3.p

Bär, Kristian; Mielke, Philipp (2019): Stratigraphic Classification Table for the PetroPhysical
Property Database P³. V. 1.0. GFZ Data Services. http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3.s

Key publication (to be cited):

Bär, K., Reinsch, T., Bott, S. (2020): The PetroPhysical Property Database (P³) – a global compilation
of lab-measured rock properties. Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 2485-2515, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-
12-2485-2020

3. Abstract
This README shall provide supporting information to the open-access Petrophysical Property
Database (P³) published as Bär et al. (2020). P³ aims at providing easily accessible information on
physical rock properties relevant for geothermal exploration and reservoir characterization in a
single compilation. Collected data include ‘classical’ petrophysical, thermophysical and mechanical
properties and, in addition, electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. Each measured value
is complemented by relevant meta-information such as the corresponding sample location,
petrographic description, chronostratigraphic age, if available, and original citation. The original
stratigraphic and petrographic descriptions are transferred to standardized catalogues following a
README to http:// doi.org/DOI: 10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3 1
hierarchical structure ensuring inter-comparability for statistical analysis. In addition, information
on the experimental setup (methods) and the measurement conditions are listed for quality control.

In this README, we describe the layout and content of the current state of P³ to be used as a manual
for the release version 1.0 in Excel and csv formats.

Measurement methods, where mentioned in the primary publication are homogenized according
to the underlying physical measurement principle. Individual experimental set-ups used to conduct
the experiments might differ in detail.

It remains to the experienced user to evaluate if the tabulated datum is applicable and if sufficient
meta-information is given. In case of doubt, the users are referred to the original publications.

Keywords: Petrophysical Properties, Geothermal Exploration, Database, Rock properties

4. File Format P3
P³ is published both as a comma separated ASCII file (csv, MS-DOS) with columns delimited by ";",
as a pdf-file as well as standard Microsoft Office Excel file (xlsx). The decimal mark used in P³ is a ".".
The excel file contains not only the database itself, but also the subtables for the petrographic
classification, the stratigraphic classification and the quality control. Since they are directly
interlinked the excel-version has an increased usability compared to the ASCII version.

The petrographic as well as the stratigraphic classification are stored as part of the P3 xlsx file as
well as tab separated ASCII files with columns delimited by "tab" and pdf files.

In the P3 database file itself, the first 3 rows contain header information. Row 1 divides three main
entities of the database: Meta Information, Petrophysical Properties (structural, thermophysical,
mechanical and electro-magnetic) and Quality Control. Row 2 provides the different types of
information for each entity e.g. the reference, sampling point, sample information as well as the
individual measured parameter. The third row gives the parameters for each sample point. For each
property value describing meta-data is documented, e.g. value, standard deviation, number of
measurements, etc.. Individual data points are given from row 4 onwards. For different parameters,
measured on the same rock sample, each parameter is listed in a new row.

A description of the petrographic and stratigraphic tables can be found in Bär et al. 2020.

5. Data Content and Structure

Each measured value (Table 1) is complemented by relevant meta-data (Table 2). For a detailed
description, please refer to Bär et al. (2020).

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Table 1 Structure of the properties and measurement conditions subtables as listed in P³.

Table 2 Structure of the meta data subtables for each measured value in P³ corresponding to the individual rock sample.

README to http:// doi.org/DOI: 10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3 3

6. Definitions
total porosity volume within sample that is not filled with solid
material

effective porosity volume of connected pore space within a solid sample

bulk property property of the solid matrix and pore fluid combined,
e.g. bulk density, bulk thermal conductivity

matrix/grain property property of the solid rock matrix excluding the pore
fluid, e.g. grain density, matrix thermal conductivity

apparent property property measured given a certain measurement

method which does not correct inherent deviation of the
method, e.g. apparent permeability

intrinsic property measured property corrected for a measurement

method inherent deviation, e.g. intrinsic permeability,
which corrects for the differences in the flow of the
suturing media, e.g. water or gas.

6.1. Radiogenic Heat Production

Radiogenic heat production (𝐴) is commonly not measured directly, but calculated according to
measured concentrations of uranium (𝐶𝑈 [ppm]), thorium (𝐶𝑇ℎ [ppm]) and potassium (𝐶𝐾
[weight-%]). For these calculations, different equations can be used. For the entries in P³ -
PetroPhysical Property Database. V. 1.0 (http://dx.doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3), the
corresponding calculation type (if available) is provided as 1, 2, or 3, which refer to the following
equations:

1 – empirical relation of Rybach (1976, 1988; used by Vilà et al., 2010):

𝐴 = 10−8 𝜌𝑟 (9.52𝐶𝑈 + 2.56𝐶𝑇ℎ + 3.48𝐶𝐾 )

with 𝜌𝑟 being the bulk density of the rock (in kg m−3).

2 – depth-dependent relation of Lachenbruch (1968):

𝐴(𝑧) = 𝐴0 𝑒 −𝑧/𝐷

where 𝐴0 is the near-surface heat production, 𝑧 is the depth and 𝐷 is the thickness of the
heat producing (plutonic) layer.

3 - empirical relation of Birch (1954) and Rybach (1973):

𝐴 = 103 𝜌𝑟 (0.097𝐶𝑈 + 0.026𝐶𝑇ℎ + 0.036𝐶𝐾 )

with 𝜌𝑟 being the bulk density of the rock (in kg m−3).

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 6.2. Matrix Thermal Conductivity
Matrix thermal conductivity (𝜆𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝜆𝑠 ) is not measured directly, but calculated using different
mixing models. Thus, for matrix thermal conductivity instead of measurement method, the
according mixing law is documented in P³. The mixing laws use measured bulk thermal conductivity
of a porous (𝜆 or 𝜆𝑏 [W/m·K]), the thermal conductivity of the pore filling fluid (𝜆𝑝 or 𝜆𝑓 [W/m·K])
and effective porosity for the given fluid (𝜙 [-]). For these calculations, different equations can be
used. For the entries in P³ - PetroPhysical Property Database. V. 1.0
(http://dx.doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3), the corresponding calculation type (if available) is
provided referring to the following equations:

Geometric mean:
𝜙 1−𝜙
𝜆𝑏 = 𝜆𝑝 ∙ 𝜆 𝑚

Arithmetic mean:

𝜆𝑏 = (1 − 𝜙) ∙ 𝜆𝑚 + 𝜙 ∙ 𝜆𝑝

Harmonic mean:

1
𝜆𝑏 =
((1 − 𝜙)/𝜆𝑚 ) + (𝜙/𝜆𝑝 )

Hashin-Shtrikman:

1
𝜆𝑏 = (𝜆 + 𝜆𝐻𝑆+ )
2 𝐻𝑆−
1−𝜙
𝜆𝐻𝑆− = 𝜆𝑝
1
( + 𝜙/3𝜆𝑝 )
(𝜆𝑚 − 𝜆𝑝 )

1−𝜙
𝜆𝐻𝑆+ = 𝜆𝑚
1
( + 𝜙/3𝜆𝑚 )
(𝜆𝑝 − 𝜆𝑚 )

Square root average:

√𝜆𝑏 = 𝜙√𝜆𝑝 + (1 − 𝜙)√𝜆𝑚

Self-consistent:

𝜙 1−𝜙
1= +
2 2
)
3 + 𝜆𝑝 /3𝜆𝑏 3 + 𝜆𝑚 /(3𝜆𝑏
For more details and additional mathematical mixing models the user shall be referred to
Abdulgatova et al. (2009), Fuchs et al. (2013) or Hartmann et al. (2005). Other authors (Pimienta et

README to http:// doi.org/DOI: 10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3 5

al., 2014 and Esteban et al., 2015) present models to calculate matrix thermal conductivity based
on 2D thin section analysis and the mineralogical composition and the known thermal conductivities
of the different minerals. These matrix thermal conductivities are included in P³ stating model as
measuring method.

7. Nomenclature
AC Alternating Current
ASTM American Standard for Testing Materials
DC Direct Current
EMP Electron Microprobe
GRS Gamma ray spectroscopy
ICP-AES Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy
ISRM International Society for Rock Mechanics
LMC Lambda Mess Center (Measurement device by Hamm & Theusner GbR)
LSR Large Sample Rig
MD Measured Depth
MP Microprobe
MS Mass spectrometry
MTS mechanical testing system
NA Not Available
NAA neutron activation analysis
SD Standard Deviation
TC Thermal Conductivity (Measurement mode of TCS device)
TCS Thermal Conductivity Scanner by Lippmann & Rauen
TD Thermal Diffusivity (Measurement mode of TCS device)
TVD True Vertical Depth
UCS Uniaxial Compressive Strength
UU Friction coefficient
XRF X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The list of references for the database is stored as a bibtex file and can be downloaded via
http://dx.doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3

8. Acknowledgments
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh
Framework Programme under EU grant agreement No. 608553 (Project IMAGE). We thank all
contributors as listed in the metadata to this report as well as the database for their support and
work to fill the database with valuable data.

README to http:// doi.org/DOI: 10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3 6

9. References
Abdulagatova. Z., Abdulagatov, I.M., Emirov, V.N. (2009): Effect of temperature and pressure on
the thermal conductivity of sandstone. International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences
46, 1055-1071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2009.04.011
Bär, K., Reinsch, T., Bott, S. (2020): The PetroPhysical Property Database (P³) – a global compilation
of lab-measured rock properties. Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 12, 2485-2515, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-
12-2485-2020

Bär, Kristian; Reinsch, Thomas; Bott, Judith (2019): P³ - PetroPhysical Property Database. V. 1.0.
GFZ Data Services. Potsdam. http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3
Bär, Kristian; Mielke, Philipp; Knorz, Katharina (2019): Petrographic classification table
(Petrography): P³ - Petrography. V. 1.0. GFZ Data Services. Potsdam.
http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3.p
Bär, Kristian; Mielke, Philipp (2019): Stratigraphic classification table (Stratigraphy): P³ -
Stratigraphy. V. 1.0. GFZ Data Services. Potsdam. http://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.4.8.2019.P3.s
Birch, F. (1954): Heat from radioactivity. In: H. Faul (ed.), Nuclear Geology. John Wiley and Sons,
New York, N.Y., 148-174
Lachenbruch, A.H. (1968): Preliminary geothermal model of the Sierra Nevada. Journal of
Geophysical Research 73, 6977–6989. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB073i022p06977
Esteban, L., Pimienta, L., Sarout, J., Piane, C.D., Haffen, S., Geraud, Y., Timms, N.E. (2015): Study
cases of thermal conductivity prediction from P-wave velocity and porosity. Geothermics 53:255–
269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2014.06.003
Fuchs, S., Schütz, F., Förster. H.-J., Förster, A. (2013): Evaluation of common mixing models for
calculating bulk thermal conductivity of sedimentary rocks: Correction charts and new conversion
equations. Geothermics 47, p. 40-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2013.02.002
Hartmann, A., Rath, V., Clauser, C., (2005): Thermal conductivity from core and well log data.
International Journal of Rock Mechanics & Mining Sciences 42, 1042-1055.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2005.05.015
Pimienta, L., Sarout, J., Esteban, L., Delle Piane, C. (2014): Prediction of rocks thermal conductivity
from seismic wave velocities, mineralogy and microstructure. Geophys. J. Int.,
https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggu034
Rybach, L. (1973): Wärmeproduktionsbestimmungen an Gesteinen der Schweizer Alpen. Beiträge
zur Geologie der Schweiz, Geotechnische Serie, 51. Kümmerly/Frey, Bern, 43 pp.
Rybach, L. (1976): The Physics and Chemistry of Minerals and Rocks, in: R.G.J. Strens (Ed.). The
Physics and Chemistry of Minerals and Rocks, Wiley & Sons, London, 309-318.
Rybach, L. (1988): Determination of heat production rate. In: Haenel, R., Rybach, L., Stegena, L.
(Eds.), Handbook of Terrestrial Heat-Flow Density Determination. Kluwer Academic Press, 125–
142.

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Vilà, M., Fernández, M., and Jiménez-Munt, I. (2010): Radiogenic heat production variability of
some common lithological groups and its significance to lithospheric thermal modeling:
Tectonophysics, 490, no. 3-4, 152-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2010.05.003

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