Agarose gels can be used as reference standards for the measurement of petrophysical properties in porous media because the relaxation properties of the gel reference standards and those of the fluid in porous media can be closely matched. The MRI technique to determine porosity and fluid saturation is described. The relaxation times of agarose gels measured at 2.0 Tesla are illustrated as a function of agarose and paramagnetic impurity (CuSO₄) concentrations. This work shows empirical results between agarose gel composition and gel relaxation times. Finally, two phase immiscible displacement using agarose gels as a reference standards will be presented.