Application of Mico-level X-ray Computed Tomography System in EOR Studies

Computerized Tomography (CT) is a recent, state of art, imaging technique which uses X-ray power to analyze the internal structure of different materials. It works on the basis of density contrast taking the advantage of different levels of X-ray adsorption. Therefore, by this technique, different materials are distinguishable on X-ray images. In reservoir engineering and specially EOR studies, X-ray CT has helped to improve understanding about the displacement processes and fluid distribution in porous media. Using CT scan technique and analyzing the resulted images, it is possible to observe the saturation distribution in the porous media and even measure the saturation changes and relative permeability of each phase. Significant number of works have been done by different researchers on these areas. This paper reviews the application of CT scanning techniques in EOR studies by going through the application of medical CT scanners and its limitations and introducing the new micro-focus CT scanner.