Abstract: A method of in vitro or in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and/or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine bone properties by measuring the effects of molecular diffusion inside the bone specimen to derive parameters that are related to the structure of the trabecular bones. The method is a non-invasive probe that provides topological information on trabecular bone without requiring a full high-resolution image of its structure, and is compatible with clinical use.

Abstract: A method of in vitro or in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and/or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine bone properties by measuring the effects of molecular diffusion inside the bone specimen to derive parameters that are related to the structure of the trabecular bones. The method is a non-invasive probe that provides topological information on trabecular bone without requiring a full high-resolution image of its structure, and is compatible with clinical use.

Abstract: A method for determining particle size distribution of a subsurface rock formation using measurements of at least one nuclear magnetic resonance property made from within a wellbore penetrating the rock formation includes determining a distribution of nuclear magnetic relaxation times from the measurements of the at least one nuclear magnetic resonance property. A surface relaxivity of the formation is determined from measurements of a formation parameter. The relaxation time distribution and surface relaxivity are used to determine the particle size distribution.

Abstract: Methods and pulse sequences for facilitating nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in grossly inhomogeneous fields. Methods and pulse sequences according to the invention may be used to accurately measure variables such as transverse relaxation time, longitudinal relaxation time, and diffusion, without the need for data at long recovery time, thereby allowing for faster measurements. In addition, methods and pulse sequences according to embodiment of the invention may allow simultaneous encoding of information in both the amplitude and the shape of echoes, so as to allow a single-shot measurement of multiple variables, e.g., both transverse relaxation time (from the decay of echo amplitudes) and longitudinal relaxation time (from the echo shape). CPMG detection may be used to overcome the often limited signal-to-noise ratio in grossly inhomogeneous fields.

Abstract: A method for utilizing received formation data to determine one or more fluid instance such as reservoir wettability while in one of a subterranean environment or a surface environment. The method comprising: (a) obtaining at least one set of formation data wherein the set of formation data includes magnetic resonance data from two or more samples within an approximate common characteristic region in the reservoir; (b) computing from the at least one set of received formation data a first fluid instance of the one or more fluid instance using at least two mathematical variables from the group consisting of one of oil saturation, water saturation, T1, T2, diffusion coefficient, tortuosity from long time diffusion coefficient or some combination thereof; and (c) interpreting the computed first fluid instance as at least one wettability property between the fluids in a formation located in the subterranean environment and the formation.

Abstract: Methods and pulse sequences for facilitating nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in grossly inhomogeneous fields. Methods and pulse sequences according to the invention may be used to accurately measure variables such as transverse relaxation time, longitudinal relaxation time, and diffusion, without the need for data at long recovery time, thereby allowing for faster measurements. In addition, methods and pulse sequences according to embodiment of the invention may allow simultaneous encoding of information in both the amplitude and the shape of echoes, so as to allow a single-shot measurement of multiple variables, e.g., both transverse relaxation time (from the decay of echo amplitudes) and longitudinal relaxation time (from the echo shape). CPMG detection may be used to overcome the often limited signal-to-noise ratio in grossly inhomogeneous fields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving spectral resolution of an NMR measurement in the presence of an inhomogeneous magnetic field. According to one embodiment, a method producing a high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum for a sample in an inhomogeneous magnetic field may comprise generating a first magnetic pulse and a second magnetic pulse, the first and second magnetic pulses being separated in time by a first time period, during the first time period, generating a gradient pulse, repeating the steps of generating the first and second magnetic pulses and generating the gradient pulse N times for different values of a field strength of the gradient pulse, wherein N is an integer greater than one, after each second magnetic pulse, acquiring a signal from the sample, and producing a reconstructed high resolution NMR spectrum from the acquired signals.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus that may be used in connection with a variety of different tools, including a down-hole side-wall coring tool as well as with manufacturing process controllers. In one embodiment, the nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus may include a magnet assembly constructed around a sample chamber. The magnet assembly is constructed and arranged to provide a non-uniform magnetic field having a known magnetic field gradient inside the sample chamber. The use of gradient fields may allow for a more flexible and robust magnet assembly design that may be suitable for a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for extracting information about a system of nuclear spins including: performing a plurality of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements on the system of nuclear spins; acquiring NMR data from each of the plurality of NMR measurements; performing data inversion using an random-sampler to generate an ensemble of spectra so as to extract information about the system of nuclear spins; and analyzing the performed random-sampler inversion results to extract information about the system of nuclear spins.

Abstract: Methods and pulse sequences for facilitating nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in grossly inhomogeneous fields. Methods and pulse sequences according to the invention may be used to accurately measure variables such as transverse relaxation time, longitudinal relaxation time, and diffusion, without the need for data at long recovery time, thereby allowing for faster measurements. In addition, methods and pulse sequences according to embodiment of the invention may allow simultaneous encoding of information in both the amplitude and the shape of echoes, so as to allow a single-shot measurement of multiple variables, e.g., both transverse relaxation time (from the decay of echo amplitudes) and longitudinal relaxation time (from the echo shape). CPMG detection may be used to overcome the often limited signal-to-noise ratio in grossly inhomogeneous fields.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods that can be used to determine various qualitative parameters of an earth formation from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. One embodiment provides a method of NMR-based remote sensing in which a nuclear spins in fluid of interest are encoded while inside an earth formation and then withdrawn into a tool module and analyzed by a sensor located in the tool module. Separate encoding and detection systems may be used, allowing each system to be independently optimized. In particular, because detection of the encoded spins may occur while the spins are inside the detector system, rather than within the earth formation (where they are encoded), the detector system may be constructed to employ a highly uniform magnetic field. This may facilitate various NMR measurements.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring fluid flow in a wellbore in an earth formation using time-of-flight (TOF) sensing and remote detection nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, by applying a magnetic field to the formation to polarize spins present in a portion of the formation, providing an encoding shell in the formation, selecting an encoding volume from the encoding shell, applying an encoding signal to excite the spins in the encoding volume, introducing a time delay to the encoding signal, providing a detection shell in the formation, applying a detection signal to the detection shell, detecting an NMR signal generated by the migration of spins from the encoding shell to the detection shell, and collecting TOF data corresponding to time elapsed from when a spin is encoded to when the spin reaches the detection shell.

Abstract: A wireline-conveyed side-wall core coring tool for acquiring side-wall core from a geological formation for performing in-situ side-wall core analysis. The coring tool has a core analysis unit operable to measure geophysical properties of an acquired side-wall core. The measured geophysical properties may be used to determine the success of the acquisition of side-wall cores by the coring tool. The core analysis unit is operable of performing an in-situ interpretation of measured geophysical property of the side-wall core and transmitting in near real-time the measurements or the interpretation results to surface data acquisition and processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving spectral resolution of an NMR measurement in the presence of an inhomogeneous magnetic field. According to one embodiment, a method producing a high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum for a sample in an inhomogeneous magnetic field may comprise generating a first magnetic pulse and a second magnetic pulse, the first and second magnetic pulses being separated in time by a first time period, during the first time period, generating a gradient pulse, repeating the steps of generating the first and second magnetic pulses and generating the gradient pulse N times for different values of a field strength of the gradient pulse, wherein N is an integer greater than one, after each second magnetic pulse, acquiring a signal from the sample, and producing a reconstructed high resolution NMR spectrum from the acquired signals.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus that may be used in connection with a variety of different tools, including a down-hole side-wall coring tool as well as with manufacturing process controllers. In one embodiment, the nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus may include a magnet assembly constructed around a sample chamber. The magnet assembly is constructed and arranged to provide a non-uniform magnetic field having a known magnetic field gradient inside the sample chamber. The use of gradient fields may allow for a more flexible and robust magnet assembly design that may be suitable for a variety of different applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods that can be used to determine various qualitative parameters of an earth formation from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. One embodiment provides a method of NMR-based remote sensing in which a nuclear spins in fluid of interest are encoded while inside an earth formation and then withdrawn into a tool module and analyzed by a sensor located in the tool module. Separate encoding and detection systems may be used, allowing each system to be independently optimized. In particular, because detection of the encoded spins may occur while the spins are inside the detector system, rather than within the earth formation (where they are encoded), the detector system may be constructed to employ a highly uniform magnetic field. This may facilitate various NMR measurements.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring fluid flow in a wellbore in an earth formation using time-of-flight (TOF) sensing and remote detection nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, by applying a magnetic field to the formation to polarize spins present in a portion of the formation, providing an encoding shell in the formation, selecting an encoding volume from the encoding shell, applying an encoding signal to excite the spins in the encoding volume, introducing a time delay to the encoding signal, providing a detection shell in the formation, applying a detection signal to the detection shell, detecting an NMR signal generated by the migration of spins from the encoding shell to the detection shell, and collecting TOF data corresponding to time elapsed from when a spin is encoded to when the spin reaches the detection shell.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques for both spectroscopy and imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods in which hyperpolarized noble gases (e.g., Xe and He) are used to enhance and improve NMR and MRI. Additionally, the hyperpolarized gas solutions of the invention are useful both in vitro and in vivo to study the dynamics or structure of a system. When used with biological systems, either in vivo or in vitro, it is within the scope of the invention to target the hyperpolarized gas and deliver it to specific regions within the system.

Abstract: Methods and pulse sequences for facilitating nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in grossly inhomogeneous fields. Methods and pulse sequences according to the invention may be used to accurately measure variables such as transverse relaxation time, longitudinal relaxation time, and diffusion, without the need for data at long recovery time, thereby allowing for faster measurements. In addition, methods and pulse sequences according to embodiment of the invention may allow simultaneous encoding of information in both the amplitude and the shape of echoes, so as to allow a single-shot measurement of multiple variables, e.g., both transverse relaxation time (from the decay of echo amplitudes) and longitudinal relaxation time (from the echo shape). CPMG detection may be used to overcome the often limited signal-to-noise ratio in grossly inhomogeneous fields.

Abstract: A method of in vitro or in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and/or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine bone properties by measuring the effects of molecular diffusion inside the bone specimen to derive parameters that are related to the structure of the trabecular bones. The method is a non-invasive probe that provides topological information on trabecular bone without requiring a full high-resolution image of its structure, and is compatible with clinical use.