A perspective review of applications of the computed tomography (CT) scan imaging technique for microscopic reservoir rock characterization

Abstract

In hospitals, a medical computed tomography (CT) scan is used to detect damage to infected areas of the human body. Using this technology, scientists and engineers have found a way to detect the internal pore connections and characterize rock samples of oil and gas reservoirs in the petroleum industry. Nowadays, the micro‐CT scan technique is gaining considerable interest in reservoir rock characterization and in situ monitoring of fluid flow through porous media during different flooding experiments. Along with this digital rock physics (DRP) idea, images have been used to accurately describe and model for simulations of rock samples. In this review, the application of micro‐CT and medical‐CT scanning in the oil and gas industry has been thoroughly discussed. Recent improvements in DRP and modern imaging techniques in the oil and gas industry have been modeled using both experimental and simulation work. The combination of a DRP study and a CT scan has also been discussed as a unique idea for the current scenario of research work in this field. The available literature shows that the modern imaging technique and the DRP concept can enable an understanding of the pore network model. It has also been observed that the visualization of fluid flow behavior through porous media is now possible during fluid movement through the core samples. This review contributes to the new research area and aids those in this field in quickly gaining an understanding of applied image techniques in the oil and gas industry.