Imaging Techniques for 2D and 3D Characterization of Unconventional Reservoirs Core and Cuttings Samples; and How to Integrate them

Imaging of shale samples in the scanning electron microscope is typically done at different length scales. Mineralogy can be obtained by SEM/EDX at the micrometer scale. FIB/SEM analysis on the other hand typically images a field of view about ten micrometers but with a resolution high enough to distinguish nanometer scale pores. Both datasets have great value but the gap in imaging area and resolution needs to be overcome. This paper describes a first attempt at bridging that gap by making large area SEM images with both high resolution and field of view so that the locations for FIB/SEM analysis can be chosen in a more representative way.