ZTE imaging of tight sandstone rocks at 9.4T - Comparison with standard NMR analysis at 0.05T

Magn Reson Imaging. 2016 May;34(4):492-5. doi: 10.1016/j.mri.2015.12.001. Epub 2015 Dec 10.

Abstract

Zero echo time (ZTE) imaging at 9.4T was used to assess local water saturation level in the tight sandstone rocks. The results were compared with the industry standard porosity estimation basing on T2 relaxation analysis at 0.05T. A linear dependence between the two was achieved. This suggests the possibility to use 3D ZTE method for assessment of local amount of water in rocks. The method can be applicable in investigation of water saturation processes in tight rocks, where imaging methods based on spin echo like RARE failed due to short T2, while single point imaging (SPI) is impractical due to long acquisition time.

Keywords: ZTE imaging; high field MRI; low field NMR; porous materials; sandstone; short T(2) imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Porosity*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Water