Computed X-ray microtomography as the useful tool in petrophysics: A case study of tight carbonates Modryn formation from Poland

Detailed qualitative and quantitative studies using the X-ray computed microtomography proved to be a reliable source of information about the pore space properties of clastic and carbonate reservoir rocks. X-ray computed tomography with higher resolution (nano) allows improving and completion of porous rocks analysis in aspects of new parameters determination. In this paper, results of the X-ray computed microtomography analysis were presented for core samples probed from the Palaeozoic carbonate intervals (Modryn formation) from the selected wells located in the Central-Eastern Poland. Several parameters were calculated on the basis of microtomographic images (total porosity, tortuosity, homogeneity parameter, mean chord length, Euler number), which allowed to parameterize pore space structure of tight carbonates. In the case of rock hydrocarbon potential determination, e.g. filtration properties, computed X-ray microtomography turned out as an alternative method in rock characterization. It appeared that the Modryn formation consists of rocks with poorly developed pore space with limited filtration abilities.