Geostatistical approach to the anisotropy analysis of 3D rock microtomographic models

The computed X-ray microtomography (μCT) is a rapidly developing technique for retrieving petrophysical properties that are required for geological reservoir characterization. Because of the comparative novelty of the method, detailed microtomographic information requires new theoretically substantiated techniques for data processing and systematization. We discuss the geostatistical approach to the analysis of reservoir rock microtomographic images. The proposed method uses the spherical harmonics expansion of variogram fields, which allows for estimating the anisotropy properties of the rock microstructure under study. Examples of application of the technique are presented.