Ecopetrol transforming complex structural modeling in Piedemonte

Ecopetrol overcame significant challenges in modeling the Piedemonte fold belt’s complex reservoirs by implementing SLB depogrid technology, within Petrel™ subsurface software. By deploying the depogrid solution Ecopetrol reduced the structural model construction time for the Piedemonte region by up to 75%. Due to its flexibility in capturing structural detail, the technology also enabled the integration of six reservoirs into a unified 3D geocellular model with exceptional fidelity. This breakthrough has set a new standard for subsurface modeling in compressional and highly faulted environments, paving the way for more efficient field development planning.

Piedemonte, located in Colombia’s most critical gas-producing region, is characterized by highly complex geological structures, including thrust belts, reverse faults, and asymmetric anticlines. These features, combined with depths of up to 6 km, pose significant challenges for seismic imaging, subsurface modeling, and operational planning. Ecopetrol’s development team faced difficulties in updating and consolidating an integrated static model for the Floreña, Pauto, and Hurón fields due to the absence of a robust subsurface modeling solution capable of accurately representing reservoir geometry, connectivity, and aquifer extent.

Previous attempts to model these reservoirs independently resulted in fragmented interpretations, extended cycle time, and limited insights into the coupled behavior of the system. The absence of an integrated structural framework undermined confidence in the asset’s development strategy and hindered efficient field development planning. Ecopetrol sought a solution that could overcome these challenges, deliver high-fidelity models, and accelerate decision-making processes.

SLB addressed Ecopetrol’s challenges by deploying the depogrid solution within Petrel software. This solution created more realistic structural models by supporting architectural elements common in structurally complex geological settings. Property modeling was executed within a mechanically unfaulted and unfolded “depospace,” which preserved geodesic distances and ensured continuity across faults blocks, overcoming a key limitation for compressional reservoirs. This approach enabled the creation of structural grids that accurately captured fault geometries and stratigraphic relationships observed in seismic and well data. As a result, the team produced more geologically realistic models, supporting better‑informed field development decisions and reducing risks linked to incomplete model representation.

The implementation of depogrid delivered transformative results:

• Efficiency gains:  Model construction time was reduced by up to 75%, cutting workflows from four months to four weeks.
• Integrated modeling:  For the first time, the Pauto, Floreña, and Hurón areas were combined into a single 3D geocellular model, incorporating maps and faults across six reservoirs within a unified framework.
• Simulation readiness:  The high-quality structural model was seamlessly integrated into Petrel software and Intersect™ reservoir simulator workflows, enabling advanced reservoir simulation and improving subsurface decision-making.
• Strategic recommendations:  Based on these results, depogrid workflows were recommended for other structurally challenging assets in the Piedemonte region, alongside targeted training to support effective adoption by geoscientists.

The project’s success reflected strong interdisciplinary collaboration between SLB and Ecopetrol’s Piedemonte team, and demonstrated the value of applying advanced gridding technologies to complex structural environments.