Lewis, C.R.Rose, S.C.Journal of Petroleum Technology2010-02-152010-02-151969http://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/18924p. 11-16.The theory proposed in this paper is that an overpressured zone, because it is less compacted, constitutes a thermal barrier. That is, this uncompacted zone contains excess amounts of water, and water has three times the insulating value of the rock matrix. This theory is discussed and then compared with field data from two areas, N.E. Thompsonville field in South Texas and offshore Texas in the Galveston area. Practical applications of the theory are considered.geologysediment temperaturepressurestructural geologytectonicsArticle