H002

Evolution of Seismic Imaging in Colombia

H. Alfonso* (Ecopetrol SA)

SUMMARY
Over many decades ECOPETROL (Oil state company of Colombia)has done efforts in improving the
quality of seismic in Colombia, through different seismic campaigns and applying different technologies.
Imaging complex environments, or specific structural features are often difficult, so you have to use the
right technology to achieve the best result, regarding also cost benefit relationship.
The primary goal of this paper is to show seismic lines that illustrate the evolution of seismic imaging in
several Colombian basins, highlighting the key aspects in improving the image and the use of geophysical
technology.

72nd EAGE Conference & Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010

Barcelona, Spain, 14 - 17 June 2010

Introduction
Over many decades we have done efforts in improving the quality of seismic in Colombia, through
different seismic campaigns and applying different technologies. Imaging complex environments, or
specific structural features are often difficult, so you have to use the right technology to achieve the
best result, regarding also cost benefit relationship.
The primary goal of this paper is to show seismic lines that illustrate the evolution of seismic imaging
in several Colombian basins, highlighting the key aspects in improving the image and the use of
geophysical technology.
Seismic imaging in several basins from Colombia - Examples
As we all know seismic data from the 70s lack of resolution. There were not many channels available
and having a strong source, to get better signal, was a common practice at that time. In the first
example, from the middle Magdalena valley basin (see Fig. 1), after a dedicated processing and an
improvement in parameters, the quality changed dramatically obtaining a better structural
interpretation. The coupling on this basin is acceptable and if you have enough sampling, you will get
higher frequencies and better S/N ratio. Before shooting the new seismic; extensive tests were done
on the field to assure the best parameters were chosen. One 2D line 6 km long was shot with three
different charge sizes and keeping the depth hole of 10 meters as a default.

2008

1979

Figure 1 Land 2D data from Middle Magdalena basin showing the same location cover by two
different seismic surveys one from 2008 and the other shoot in 1979. The effect of better sampling and
leading edge technology on prestack migration over 2008 version helps a lot in definition of
structural geometry.

There are cretaceous rocks with fractures that are potential reservoirs that must be illuminated with
3D seismic in this basin. 3D technology enhances the possibilities of accurate interpretation. A good

72nd EAGE Conference & Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010

Barcelona, Spain, 14 - 17 June 2010

example of this is depicted on fig 2. Notice the difference in resolution after the 3D seismic image and
the detail on the horizons below the unconformity.

3D

2D

Figure 2 Land 3D an 2D seismic, from Middle Magdalena Valley . The inline 3D image was
extracted from the same location of the 2D line. Notice below the unconformity, the definition of 3D
seismic image.
On fig. 3, there is an image over the llanos basin and more specifically over a transition zone and
foothills , showing the improvement after new parameters and processing were applied. On complex
areas, where typically abrupt topographic is present near surface anomalies, velocity variations and
complex ray paths, are the key factors that affect the quality of seismic data. According to the results
and analysis, the quality of the seismic surveys relies on noise attenuation in prestack data, and in near
surface velocity estimation in the datuming process and migration.

Figure 3 Seismic Data from the foothills of Colombia, llanos basin, where we can see the differences
in resolution after new data using leading edge processing PSTM in line B. Line A is from 1980 and
line B from 1997. Structural geometry is defined more clearly and fault limits can be interpreted.
Seismic parameters like depth hole and long offsets were adjusted to create a better image.
It is also clear that pitfalls must be avoided on the seismic processing. Nowadays its common to have
several processes for the same survey, to be sure about the quality and resolution you are obtaining
72nd EAGE Conference & Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010
Barcelona, Spain, 14 - 17 June 2010

from different contractors. When making a decision about drilling having accurate images can assure
the millions of dollars invested. On fig 4 and 5 an example is shown on the advantages you can find
when different companies process your data.

Figure 4 Same seismic section from Middle Magdalena Valle basin, both are PSTM processed by
two different companies, notice the lack of character on section B, the target zone below 2 seconds is
hardly visible as it is on section A.

Figure 5 Seismic sections from Upper Magdalena Valley Basin. Both are PSTM processed by two
different companies. It turns out the right hand side image was modelled with statics and post stack
enhance filters, causing a false structure.
The final example is from the llanos basin in Colombia, showing a dramatic improvement in the
seismic data quality. In this case they believe that the quaternary formation outcropping on the area
causes the lack of signal . Further tests and analysis came up to the conclusion that better sampling
and higher charges were needed to get better results. The display on fig. 6 shows the result of a new
seismic line depicting a nice structure just where the blur zone was present on the previous data
(seismic section A)

72nd EAGE Conference & Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010

Barcelona, Spain, 14 - 17 June 2010

Figure 6 New seismic from the 90s shows the dramatic improvement on the central part of the
seismic section on image B. Key factors in this example, new seismic parameters, better sampling and
detail processing.
Conclusions
Through many examples in different basins from Colombia we conclude that it is important to apply
the right technology to solve specific imaging problems. The seismic method offers us many options
regarding processing and acquisition technology reducing the risk in drilling prospects. Having
different options when you process your data is crucial, so using many contractors processing the
same survey is really worthed.
The use of extensive field test is a good practice to select the right seismic parameters. The success in
our basins in Colombia has to do with test lines at level of stack and migration that were shot in at
least 6 kilometres of length. Experimental tests done with single shot points do not guarantee the
right analysis.
It is also important to notice that the use of post stack migration procedures are not used anymore as
final migrations. Prestack migration algorithms are most common procedures used regarding the
complexity of data. New methods like RTM or full wave inversion will add even more value to the
data, keeping in mind that you have to be aware of the data regularization in your designs.
Acknowledgements
This work is the result of a team approach, so I want to thank ECOPETROL S. A for the support
toward these projects for many years, and to all my colleagues at Exploration Vicepresidency. Also
many thanks to all the local and international contractors that have worked with us looking for the
best image to explore for hydrocarbons in Colombia.

72nd EAGE Conference & Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2010

Barcelona, Spain, 14 - 17 June 2010