Does petroleum resource extraction and oceanic heat transfer increase geothermal heat flux? A global multi-sensor study of oil basins

Geothermal heat flux reflects the upward transfer of heat from Earth’s interior and is expressed as deviations from the global average of 60–80 mW m−2. High values occur in magmatic and hydrothermal regions, while low values characterize stable cratons; however, long-term petroleum extraction can modify subsurface thermal regimes by altering pressures and fluid insulation. Additionally, heat transfer from oceanic crust to the oceans and atmosphere represents an important pathway linking Earth's internal heat to climate processes. The motivation for this commentary is to critically evaluate how petroleum resource extraction and oceanic geothermal inputs intersect to influence localized and regional heat-flux patterns. It builds based on the recent multi-sensor data to highlight the dual role of anthropogenic extraction and natural ocean-atmosphere coupling in modifying Earth's heat budget.

Recent multi-sensor data refer to a combination of thermal infrared, microwave, and gravity-based remote-sensing datasets. These datasets follow established acquisition and calibration standards as documented in previous studies, including NASA’s MODIS and ECOSTRESS thermal products and ESA’s GRACE/GRACE-FO gravity missions. Geothermal gradients for Figures 1A–1C were compiled from published borehole temperature and heat-flow datasets for major sedimentary basins, while oil-field locations and productivity status were derived from publicly available petroleum statistics and industry reports. The integration of these validated multi-sensor observations enhances the reliability of the thermal analysis and supports the robustness of the results. Specifically, it examines variations in geothermal gradients across oil-producing basins, with a focus on the Middle East, and situates these findings within a broader context of climate and energy geoscience.