Digital rock physics: 3D imaging of core material and correlations to acoustic and flow properties

Abstract

3D X-ray microtomographic imaging and visualization of core material at the pore scale and subsequent analysis of petrophysical properties can give important insight to understanding properties of reservoir core material. 3D images allow one to map in detail the pore and grain structure and interconnectivity of core material. Numerical calculations on image data are in agreement with experimental data for flow and elastic properties on simple core material. This development forms the basis for developing more meaningful structure-property correlations in rock. © 2009 Society of Exploration Geophysicists.