f Improved Inversion of Needle Probe Data for the Determination of Rock Thermal Properties

Heat flow, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity are essential properties in subsurface temperature modelling. We present initial results of a novel inversion approach for laboratory measurements of rock thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity by the needle probe method. Instead of analytical expressions, we use a numerical finite element procedure for the forward temperature response. A Markov Chain Monte Carlo Metropolis Hastings inversion procedure produces estimates of rock thermal parameters with uncertainties.