SPE 120794

Redevelopment Progress for Colombia's La Cira-Infantas Field

Maria Elizabeth Prieto, Jorge Mantilla, Ecopetrol SA; Brian Keith Owens, Adriano Lobo, Occidental de Colombia;
Fabian Fernandez

Copyright 2009, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2009 SPE Latin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference held in Cartagena, Colombia, 31 May–3 June 2009.

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been
reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its
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Abstract

Redeveloping old oil fields can yield great results. This paper summarizes the progress made in redeveloping
Colombia’s oldest field, La Cira-Infantas. It is located in Middle Magdalena River Valley near the city
Barrancabermeja. The field was discovered in 1918, and it has produced nearly 750 million barrels of oil from an
estimated OOIP of 3.9 billion barrels of oil within the shallow Miocene and Oligocene age sands that comprise the
producing zones. Oil gravities range from 16 to 28 degrees API.

This field had neared an economic limit, but partners Ecopetrol and Oxy decided to implement a waterflood
redevelopment project in 2005. The waterflood redevelopment is proceeding well. Redevelopment involves over
1,500 wells being drilled or worked over in order to increase recovery factor by about 8% from the C sands. The
redevelopment has involved reconfiguration of old waterflood areas and waterflood expansion into new areas. In
addition to the proper reservoir conditions, redevelopment success is due to an understanding of historical
performance, the integration of two companies, management of community issues, a build up of rig resources, and
the installation of additional facilities.

From September 2005 to January 2009, the production has increased from about 5,000 to 22,000 BOPD. The
recent redevelopment has performed similar to expectations built upon evaluations of past development. After
upcoming development, the field’s production is anticipated to reach around 40,000 BOPD. The Operator’s
knowledge with a partner’s expertise in redevelopment has been a powerful combination. The type of approach
being used for the redevelopment may be insightful for other old fields. Potential analogies are not limited to
Colombia.

Introduction

The La Cira-Infantas field is located in the Middle Magdalena Valley near Barrancabermeja, Colombia, South
America (Figure 1). Dickey (1992) documented the interesting history of this field. A Spanish explorer, Gonzalo
Jimenez de Quesdada, came across an oil seep in 1536. This oil seep was named the Spanish word for
princesses (Infantas). The name Infantas was in reference to the two daughters of the King of Spain.

The Tropical Oil Company discovered the field after spudding the Infantas 2 well in December 1917. Production
was initiated in 1918, and the field is credited as the first oil field to be discovered in Colombia. The Tropical Oil
Company became an affiliate of the Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) in 1919, and the concession reverted to
the Colombian government in 1951. Field production had reached about 65,000 BOPD in 1940 by relying on
natural drive mechanisms (Figure 2). Some of the gas was re-injected from 1929 to 1972, but these unmeasured
volumes appear to have had only a minor impact on oil rate and reserves. Additionally, very little aquifer support
was observed. Water injection was initiated in the northern half of the field, La Cira, in 1957. The waterflood
showed favorable response, and water injection was successfully expanded to other areas of the field.
2 SPE 120794

Colombia Venezuela

Barrancabermeja

La Cira – Infantas

Figure 1. La Cira-Infantas field location

200000
All UNIQUEIDs(3513)
Gas Prod Rate (Calend Days) ( Mcf/d )
Water Inj Rate (Calend Days) ( bbl/d )
Oil Prod Rate (Calend Days) ( bbl/d )
Water Prod Rate (Calend Days) ( bbl/d )

160000

120000

3 5
80000
2
4 6
40000

1
0
1918 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 60 63 66 69 72 75 78 81 84 87 90 93 96 99 02 05 08
DATE

1250 250
Wells producing Oil (wells)

Wells Injecting Water ( wells )

1000 200

750 150

500 100

250 50

0 0
1918 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 60 63 66 69 72 75 78 81 84 87 90 93 96 99 02 05 08
DATE

Figure 2. La Cira-Infantas Historical Performance

Ecopetrol prepared an integrated study of the development potential (Lobo 1999). By 2003, the field was producing
only about 5,000 BOPD from about 500 producers. An abandonment program was underway from 2003 to 2005.
SPE 120794 3

In December 2003, Occidental and Ecopetrol put together a team that examined redeveloping the field. Ecopetrol
and Occidental agreed to pursue a phased approach in the partnership. The partnership started on September 6,
2005. The initial results were good, and by January 15, 2007, the agreement reached the third and final phase.
Ecopetrol serves as operator, and Occidental serves as the executor of the investments for redevelopment. The
good relations between the two companies encourages supporting one another in each of the two basic roles.

Past waterflooding experience in La Cira-Infantas has provided a good guide for expectations for waterflood
expansion. The main reservoir being redeveloped is the C zone, and its high degree of heterogeneity has resulted
in an opportunity for pattern reconfiguration in old waterflood areas. New wells are generally preferred as old wells
lack the benefit of openhole logs and generally have mechanical problems. Workovers are pursued when
considered prudent. Significant incremental oil reserves are being developed. Other projects have been identified
for potentially adding more reserves.

The ramp up in production and injection has resulted in a need for increased facilities capacity. Previous injection
peaked at about 150,000 BWPD, but facilities are being added which will allow for about 700,000 BWPD. A control
room has been installed to allow for better monitoring of the facilities. Additionally, there is an automation project
underway to use rod pump controllers while being monitored with LOWIS. This will help control costs while also
ensuring production is maximized.

Over time, communities have developed over the oil field. Many homes had intentionally been placed near the
wells and use unsafe connections for gas and water. Ecopetrol has been fixing the situation. Additionally,
processes are in place to allow for properly conducting work in populated areas. Working with the community
throughout the process has complicated the development, but it has not prevented successful redevelopment.

Integrated Team

Oxy and Ecopetrol formed an integrated project team in December 2003, and this group completed a detailed
redevelopment assessment of the La Cira-Infantas Field in just four months. Ecopetrol staffed the team with highly
skilled technical professionals with La Cira-Infantas experience. Oxy selected highly skilled Colombian staff and
supplemented them with select individuals from around the world. Oxy professionals from Qatar, California, and
Texas were provided based on various IOR skill sets that were identified as necessary. The process was executed
in a manner that allowed for an expedited evaluation that did not sacrifice key well details. The integrated team
handled all the key aspects for setting up the project:

• Assessed redevelopment potential

• Developed structure and terms of contract
• Prepared development activities for each phase of the project
• Completed social assessment and developed strategies for addressing
• Designed initial organization
• Obtained necessary approvals

Reservoir Description

The La Cira-Infantas field produces from the A, B, and C sands (Figure 3). The A sands are part of the Colorado
formation while the B and C sands are part of the Mugrosa formation. Over 90% of the production and reserves
are associated with the C sands along with about 70% of the field’s OOIP. The C sands are the primary target of
the redevelopment program. The C sands were deposited as part of an old river system. The gross C interval is
usually around 600 ft (Figure 4), and mapping of intervals is difficult since many wells are drilled before logging.
The C zones have a net to gross ratio that is around 30-40%. This fluvial system contains significant heterogeneity
(Dykstra-Parsons V ~ 0.9), and the reservoir has a tendency to be shaly. Average porosity of the pay is only about
22%. Initial oil saturation is estimated to be about 60%. Estimation of the original water-oil contacts is complicated
by the age of the field since the old log information is limited to mud logs.

Reservoir pressure has been estimated to be about 1,450 psi at a datum of -3,300 ft. This black oil has an API
gravity varying from 20 - 28°. The initial solution GOR has been estimated to be around 150 scf/bbl, and this
results in a low initial oil formation volume factor value of about 1.08 RB/STB. Reservoir pressure has decreased
to around 200 psi in areas lacking waterflood. Oil viscosity at the beginning of waterflood is estimated to be in the
range of 10 – 40 cp. Consequently, an unfavorable mobility ratio exists. Various pattern configurations have been
used with consideration of reservoir heterogeneity and unfavorable mobility ratio.
4 SPE 120794

PERIOD EPOCH MMV LCI

DOMINANT
Productivity
CIRA1891 [MD]

2600
LITHOLOGY 20.00 GRF 100.00 MD 1.00 XRD 30.00 1.90 XRHOB 2.90 0. 00 VSHALE 1. 00
6.00 CALI 16.00 0.45 NPHI -0.15
Quaternary Pleistocene Mesa
Pliocene
Real B4
Palagua-Velasquez B4 B4

Miocene La Cira La Cira

Casabe-Galan
Colorado A

2700
B
Oligocene Mugrosa Casabe-Tesoro

LCI Productive Section

Cenozoic

2800
Esmeraldas D
Eocene Lisama-Opon C1-C
La Paz Provincia C1-C C1-C

Paleocene Lisama Provincia-Payoa

Late Cretaceous

Maastrichtian

2900
Umir
Campanian Umir
Santonian Galembo
Coniacian C1Ab-C
Turonian La Luna Pujamana C1Ab-C C1Ab-C

Cenomanian Salada Tot umal

Albian Simiti Simiti C2-C
Early Cretaceous

C2-C C2-C
Aptian Tablazo Tablazo Buturama-Pit al

3000
La Paja La Paja
Barremian
Rosa Blanca Rosa Blanca C2Dt-C
C2Dt-C
C2Dt-C
Hauterivian
Tambor Tambor
Valanginian
Berriasian
Jurassic Giron Giron Gtb-C
Gtb-C
Gtb-C

3100
Pre-Jurassic Basement Basement
C3-C
C3-C C3-C

Figure 3. Stratigraphic Column

3200
C3Cb-C
C3Cb-C C3Cb-C

C4-C
C4-C C4-C
3300

C4Cb-C
C4Cb-C C4Cb-C
3400

C5-C
C5-C C5-C
00

Figure 4. C Zone Type Log

The productive area of the field covers 16,000 acres with dimensions of 12 miles long by 4.5 miles wide. The
structure involves mild dips (less than 10 degrees) in the northern part of the field, La Cira, but the southern part of
the field, Infantas, has significant dip (up to 60 degrees). The field benefits from over 1,800 wells to help define the
structure. However, 3D seismic acquired from 1994-1995 was reprocessed in 2006 and used to help refine
interpretation of structure and faults exhibiting little throw (Jimenez and Morales 2008). Figure 5 shows the
structure map along the B4, a continuous and easily identifiable horizon immediately above the C. Figure 6 shows
the main fault blocks.
SPE 120794 5

Cira Este
Cira Norte

Infantas
Cira Sur
Norte

Infantas
Central

Infantas
Sur Infantas
Alto

2 km

Figure 5. Structure Map on B4 Marker (Approx. 150ft above C Top) Figure 6. Main Fault Blocks

The integration of petrophysics, geology, and geophysics with reservoir performance has been used to build static
geologic models. The most recent static geologic model constructed covers the Infantas area (Abbas 2009). The
models are starting to be used for numerical simulation which can help refine the development plan (e.g. infills,
pattern reconfiguration, and operational strategy).

Redevelopment

Redevelopment work is focused on the C sands. The OOIP for the C sands is estimated at 2.8 billion barrels. The
drilling and workover rig activity steadily ramped up from 2006 to 2008 (Figure 7). 740 jobs were completed in this
timeframe. Approximately 840 jobs are planned for implementation over the next few years. All these identified
jobs are expected to yield an incremental recovery factor of about 8% from the C sands. Other projects for the
field are being investigated since current plans only push the C zones’ ultimate recovery factor to slightly under
30%. Now that Ecopetrol and Occidental have recent experience in each of the blocks, the reservoir development
plan makes use of updated performance information for each block. Jobs are scheduled with the following key
factors:

• Use estimated remaining oil in place for each pattern (initial prioritization)
• Pursue producer jobs once pressure support is established (better oil rate)
• Consider homeowner negotiation status
• Consider construction constraints
• Re-evaluate project economics for upcoming year along with post audits of previous activity
6 SPE 120794

La Cira-Infantas Field
Yearly Rig Activity

450

400

350

Jobs per Year 300

250
New Wells
Workovers
200

150

100

50

0
2006 2007 2008

Figure 7. New Wells and Workover Jobs

Other redevelopments have also been underway on nearby Middle Magdalena Valley fields. Although production
increases have been underway for the main three fields, the dramatic increase at La Cira-Infantas is apparent
(Figure 8).

Middle Magdalena Valley Fields

Main Redevelopment Projects
25,000
La Cira - Infantas
Cantagallo - Yarigui
Casabe - Penas Blancas
20,000
Oil Rate (BOPD)

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09

Figure 8. Oil Rate of the Main Redevelopment Projects in the Middle Magdalena Valley

Current drilling is being implemented by two Helmrich & Payne FlexRigs. These drilling rigs are proving to be
much faster than conventional rigs. One conventional drilling rig would achieve around 40 wells in a year, but one
FlexRig can achieve 60 wells per year. These rigs are particularly effective when multiple wells are drilled from the
same site (island).
SPE 120794 7

Negotiations to obtain access to a location are handled through a Community Relations and HES group. By
providing information on which locations are required in the development plan, this group is able to prioritize which
areas to resolve first. There are areas that are particularly difficult to get permission, and this sometimes results in
directional drilling from a location with clearance. There are nearly 3,000 homes covering the field (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Wells and Homes Covering the La Cira-Infantas Field

(black symbols are wells and red symbols are homes)

An aggressive well automation campaign started in 2008. As of year-end 2008, about 250 of the 630 producers
had had POC’s installed. These will be continued to be installed on wells. The current priority is to handle wells
that have been recently worked over or drilled and completed. Significant opportunity exists in getting wells
pumped off.

The redevelopment program will result in increased injection and produced fluids, so new facilities are being
installed (Figure 10). Past injection only reached about 150,000 BWPD, and water injection was only about 35,000
BWPD at the start of the redevelopment program. As shown in Figure 11, today’s 200,000 BWPD of water
injection is currently sourced by produced water, makeup water from the Magdalena River, and makeup water from
a shallow aquifer (Ripiosa). The water injection system became a closed loop in 2008. There is no disposal of
water occurring. Future injection is expected to reach around 600,000 BWPD. Facilities are being installed to
handle injection rates up to about 700,000 BWPD.
8 SPE 120794

La Cira-Infantas
Facilities Capacity
800,000

700,000

600,000
Water Rate (BWPD)

500,000

400,000

300,000
Injection Pump Capacity
200,000
Water Production Capacity
100,000

0
Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09 Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12
Figure 10. Increased Facility Capacity for Water Injection and Production

La Cira-Infantas Injection
Sources of Injection Water
250,000
Ripiosa Aquifer (Makeup Water)
Aquifer
Produced Water
River (Makeup Water)
200,000
Total Injection
Water Rate (BWPD)

150,000

Produced

100,000

River
50,000

0
Jan-08 Apr-08 Jul-08 Oct-08 Jan-09
Figure 11. Sources of Injection Water
SPE 120794 9

Results

1. Ecopetrol and Occidental have increased the La Cira-Infantas’ oil rate from about 5,000 to 22,000 BOPD.
2. Depending on the pace of future projects, the project should reach around 40,000 BOPD.
3. The redevelopment program is expected to improve the C sand recovery factor by about 8%.
4. Infrastructure is being added to accommodate injection rates up to about 700,000 BWPD and the
associated gross fluids.

Conclusions

1. Early work at integrating Ecopetrol and Occidental is allowing the redevelopment project to progress
smoothly.
2. Despite concerns, an old field was rejuvenated with established technology.
3. Other future opportunities for the A, B, and C sands need to be evaluated.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Ecopetrol and Occidental management for their support of the project and this
paper. Additionally, the authors respectfully acknowledge the contributions being made by all of our teammates in
rejuvenating La Cira-Infantas.

References

1. Dickey, P.A.: “La Cira-Infantas Field – Colombia, Middle Magdalena Basin,” Structural Traps VII, AAPG
Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Atlas for Oil and Gas Fields, 1992.
2. Lobo, A.A., et al. : “Evaluación Integrada de Yacimientos Del Campo La Cira - Infantas”, internal report,
Ecopetrol, October 1999.
3. Jimenez, L. and Morales, D.: “Structural Framework Report,” internal report, Occidental of Colombia, Inc.,
2008.
4. Abbas, H.: “Geological Model of Mugrosa Formation – C Zone, Infantas Field,” internal report, Occidental
Oil and Gas Corp., 2009.