PEMEX DISCOVERIES OF NEW OIL BENEATH THE

CANTARELL FIELD, OFFSHORE CAMPECHE, MÉXICO

Alfredo E. Guzmán, Pemex Exploración y Producción, México

José A. Aquino,
José M. Ruiz,
Marcos A. Flores,
Jesús H. García.

Abstract The Cantarell Field, discovered in 1976, is one of the largest oil fields in the world and the largest one
offshore. It is located on the continental shelf in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico, in the east-
central part of the Campeche Sound, 80 km north of Ciudad del Carmen, in the State of Campeche,
Mexico.

This mature giant field has produced 8.53 billion barrels of 22º API oil and 3.56 tcf of gas during 22 years
of exploitation and still has 13.39 bboe of remnant 3P reserves. The geologic structure has, traditionally,
been considered to be made up of four blocks: Akal, Nohoch, Chac, and Kutz, being the first the most
important one, with more than 90% of the reserves. In may 2002, produces 1.91 mmbod and 700
mmcfgd from 191 wells, most of them completed in an early Cretaceous carbonate talus breccia.

The possibility of a structurally favorable repeated section being present beneath the Cantarell Field was
recognized more than ten years ago, but a lack of quality imaging and understanding of the structurally
complex area, delayed the exploratory drilling. Initial results indicate that the new discovery, called Sihil,
mayan word for autochtonous, falls in the P1 expectations. Booked 3P reserves for the discovery, most of
them in a late Cretaceous-early Paleocene talus breccia facies were 1.23 bboe of both 22º and 30º oils,
with appraisal drilling establishing three additional secondary production levels: an Eocene grainstone, an
early Cretaceous dolomitized fractured mudstone to wackestone and a late Jurassic oolitic grainstone.

The Sihil discovery confirmed the validity of a thrust fault play and allowed Pemex E&P to establish an
exploration strategy for other structures on trend with similar characteristics that, when tested, will add
even more hydrocarbon reserves to this once considered exploratory mature area.

Introduction This paper is an update version of an earlier one prepared by the Exploration, Drilling, and Cantarell
Asset groups of the Northeastern Marine Region of Pemex E&P, that was presented both, at OTC
and AAPG conferences. We want to acknowledge Pemex E&P for the permission and support to
present this paper and to all the Pemex personnel involved in the discovery and appraisal of this
new field.

The Cantarell field, discovered in 1976 offshore the state of Campeche, in southeastern Mexico,
constitutes a world class supergiant. Located on the continental shelf of the southern Gulf of
Mexico, within what is known as the Campeche sound, some 80 kilometers NNW of Ciudad del
Carmen, Campeche, Mexico (Fig.1), is considered to be a mature field. It has produced
approximately 8.53 mmmbo of 20 to 24° API gravities and 3.56 tcf during 22 years of exploitation.

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The great success that Pemex E&P had with the discovery of the Mesozoic giant fields of Chiapas–
Tabasco onshore, at the beginning of the seventies and considering the geologic evidences obtained
in 1972 through the first offshore 2D seismic survey in southeastern México (fig.2), permited the
identification of large Mesozoic offshore structures.

The field is made up of four blocks known as Akal, Nohoch, Chac, and Kutz (Fig.3), being Akal the
most important one with over 90% of the reserves. The field produces mostly from an late
Cretaceous–early Paleocene talus breccia, although it has minor production from late Jurassic and
Eocene carbonates. In 1979 the field reached a production of 1.156 mmbopd, increasing its output
during 1996 through early 2000 to 1.430 mmbopd, and presently it is producing 1.91 mmbopd and
700 mmcfgd, production coming from 191 wells. The field is slated to reach 2.2 mmbopd later in
2002 as a result of primary depletion and the world’s largest pressure maintenance project, through
nitrogen injection (one bcfd) recently implemented through 7 injection wells.

The Sihil block was discovered in 1999 and by itself constitutes another giant below the Cantarell
field. Sihil was generated as an exploration prospect through the interpretation of a new “OBC”
seismic survey and using a Cantarell development well (the 418D) the deeper play was tested.

Since the discovery of the Cantarell Field in 1976, several exploration projects have been carried
out in the area, none of them focusing on the deeper, older rocks, for lack of good quality seismic
images. It wasn’t until the beginning of 1980’s when, based on evidence from some wells, the
presence of underthrusted structures in Cantarell was postulated.

In 1978 the first 3D survey was shot over the field using conventional streamer technology (fig.4). It
was based on this information that a well to test the underthrust concept was first proposed in
1984, the Akal–2001 prospect. Later, in 1991 the location was proposed as an exploratory well, but
was canceled in 1995. During 1997–1998 a new 3D seismic survey was obtained using ocean
bottom cable technique “OBC” (fig.5). The new image obtained and new well information, like the
one provided by the Cantarell-91, which identified, without testing Cretaceous rocks below a
repeated Tertiary column, provided better evidence for the existence of an underthrusted block
below the Cantarell field.

The underthrusted block was explored with the Cantarell 418-D development well, substituting the
previously proposed Akal-2001, and allowing for the well to be drilled without going through the
Cantarell gas cap. The 418-D was spudded on July 19th, 1998 and tested as an oil producer on
March 18th, 1999, from a late Cretaceous–early Paleocene talus breccia, 3550 meters deep, with
4000 bopd of 22° API, proving the block had heavy oil. A second well (C-3068) later tested 8204
bopd of 24° API from the breccia and 8182 bopd of 30° API in the late Jurassic, confirming a multi
reservoir new field. The Sihil discovery resulted in the largest oil field found in Mexico in the last 15
years.

Structural Geology The regional tectonic framework of the Campeche sound is linked to the development of the Gulf
of México. The Mesozoic section is represented by salt and carbonate shelf deposits characteristic
of a passive margin, while the Tertiary is dominated by siliciclastics. These sediments were
transpressively deformed during the Miocene–Pliocene “Chiapanecan orogeny”, event that is clearly
registered in outcrops of the Sierra de Chiapas. It was at this time that the structural traps were

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formed. This Neogene deformation is closely related to movement towards the east-northeast of
the Chortis block along the Motagua–Polochic fault system of the south end of North America.

The complexity of the Cantarell–Sihil duplex structure, has constituted the greatest challenge for
the seismic interpretation, particularly difficult has been the analysis of the seismic velocities, which
enables the correct vertical and horizontal definition of the deep structures. The Cantarell structure
is characterized by high relief (Fig.6) limited to the east and northeast by a thrust reverse fault with
right-lateral strike slip displacement and to the west by what has been interpreted to be either a
right-lateral strike slip fault or a normal one with the footwall being the eastern block (Fig. 3). The
fold formed by the thrust is known as the “Akal” block and has a WNW–ESE axial trend, with the
fault plane tilted to the NE and affected by several small normal faults. The underthrust block,
known as “Sihil” is also folded with a similar regional orientation to the overlying one. The Sihil block
could be limited to the west by a N–S running fault, if the one cutting the overlying block is a right-
lateral strike-slip one (Fig. 7), or the block might extend to the west under the fault plane, if that
fault is a normal one.

The general structural evolution that has been proposed for the area by Rojas1, establishes that
during the Early Cretaceous extension took place, represented by normal faulting affecting the
Cretaceous and Jurassic rocks. The deformation is characterized by a decollement taking place at
the mid Jurassic salt, with development of salt rollers. The normal faults have variable orientations,
that parallel and pretty much coincide with the Cretaceous shelf edge: NNW–SSE in the
northeastern part of the area, almost N–S in its east-central part and NNE–SSW at the
southwestern end, sometimes forming blocks of the domino type of arrangement that resulted in
the formation of combined Jurassic traps.

During the Early Miocene-Pliocene, the Mesozoic and Paleogene sequences were deformed by
transpressive stresses oriented roughly southwest to northeast, resulting in a folded and faulted
assemblage trending regionally NW–SE (Fig.7). A lower detachment (not illustrated) cuts Oxfordian
shales and evaporites, while the upper detachment originates in Oligocene shaly rocks, although in
some wells, it has been reported displacing within late Cretaceous shaly carbonates.

It is very probable that the Neogene deformation is also associated with salt evacuation, producing
in some cases, buckle type folding before the thrusting occurred. In the Oligocene to Pleistocene
sequence at least three major erosion periods can be distinguished, caused by uplifting in the
tectonic front. Some authors 2 have calculated stratal shortening for this event in the order of 5,300
to 9,000 meters.

It has been proposed that synthetic transtensional deformation trending NNW–SSE, that becomes
almost N–S when it cuts the Akal block, resulted in a right-lateral displacement fault system (Fig.8),
in the Plio-Pleistocene. There are also, some antithetic left-lateral faults oriented WSW–ENE,
resulting in the formation of pull-apart mini-basins which apparently had no influence on the
Cretaceous-Jurassic traps.

Source rocks The great volumes of oil and gas already produced and forecasted to be discovered within the plays
of this petroleum system were expelled from Tithonian calcareous shales, rich in type II organic
matter³. These source rocks have net thicknesses of 35 to 310 meters and their Source Potential

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Index (SPI) reaches up to 16 metric tons of hydrocarbons in immature source rocks to the
northeast of the producing area, and up to 27 metric tons in a mature part of the system located to
the south. Expelled oils have gravity ranges from 10° to 50° API, depending on the maturity
reached by the source rocks at the time of expulsion (Fig.9). There are four production levels
established so far within this Tithonian-Cretaceous petroleum system: the Kimmeridgian, the early
and late Cretaceous and the Eocene, being the late Cretaceous–early Paleocene talus breccia play
the one that has the highest production rates.

Reservoir rocks The recently discovered new reservoirs under Cantarell are emplaced in carbonate rocks (Fig.10) of
late Jurassic age composed of oolitic grainstones and packstones, late Cretaceous to Paleocene
dolomitized rudstone breccia deposited in a talus slope environment (Fig.11) and Eocene shelf
grainstones. Average porosity for the main Cretaceous reservoir varies from of 3% to 5% and is
formed predominantly by vugs, intercrystalline spaces and fractures. Sizes of the vugs go from 1 to
15 mm, with good interconnections through fractures and dissolution channels. Fracturing is intense
and chaotic, showing in most cases good hydrocarbon impregnation.

Production tests The Cantarell 418-D well, produced over 4000 barrels of oil per day of 22° API from an open
borehole production test (Fig.12). A second test in the same well yielded 3000 barrels per day of
30° API oil, suggesting some reservoir compartmentalization. Permeability for the first reservoir is
the order of 1.74 darcies, with a static pressure at a depth of 4,445 m of 319 kg/cm2 and a bottom
hole pressure of 285 kg. The well had a pressure drop of 34 kg through the 4 1/2” tubing and skin
that resulted in a flow of 5,200 barrels per day. Undamaged wells with 7” tubing and 3¼“ chokes
usually produce between 18,000 and 23,000 barrels of oil per day, which is the average per well
production of the Cantarell field.

A second well, the Cantarell 3068, flowed at a rate of 8,200 barrels of 24° API per day from the
3432–3600 m interval of the well (fig. 13), confirming the new field potential, and later tested 8182
bopd of 30° oil in the late Jurassic.

Reserves The Sihil field reserves certified as of January 1st, 2002 have been established to be 428 mmboe of
proved, 304 mmboe of probable and 500 mmboe of possible, numbers that are supported by data
from the different production tests, 3D seismic, PVT analysis, and geologic structural interpretation
(Fig. 14)

Exploratory From the results of the exploration of the Sihil block a new play has been delineated that includes
potential underthrusted blocks under other fields in the area such as Ku, Zaap, Maloob, and Tunich. (fig. 15)
that will be explored in the very near future.

Conclusions Drilling of the Sihil block resulted in the discovery of four new reservoirs: in the late Jurassic, in the
early and late Cretaceous and in the Eocene, with densities that vary from 30° API in the deepest
and oldest to 17° in the youngest and shallowest with 22° to 30° API in the intermediate one.

Sihil has a strategic value due to the fact that it’s located right under the Cantarell facilities making its
development highly profitable. Additionally it has a nitrogen source through the Cantarell facilities
that can be injected to the new reservoir early on its life increasing the recoverable volumes.

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The discovery of the Sihil reservoirs added 1.23 billion barrels of oil equivalent of new reserves.

Presently the reservoirs are being delineated and appraised and development facilities are being
designed.

The critical factors that allowed the discovery of new hydrocarbon reserves in this, previously
considered mature area, were:

• A change in paradigms such as the fact that in the past, exploratory drilling below the oil-
water contact of the Cantarell reservoir was not accepted, limiting the testing of deeper
objectives.

• Working with integrated teams that allowed the testing of the exploratory concept through
the participation of the Exploration, Drilling and Production Asset groups with the full sup-
port of Pemex’s Upper Management.

• The application of new technologies for the acquisition and processing of seismic data,
together with new drilling technologies for wells with high angle deviation.

The results obtained with the discovery of this new petroleum field exceeded all expectations and
volumetric forecasts and additionally indicated the existence of a new high potential play.

References 1. Rojas, R. R., 2000, “Cantarell Field an evolutive model, South of the Mexican Gulf”, Geophys-
ics.

2. Hernández, G. S. et al., 1995, “Basement Geological Interpretation Project”, PEMEX internal

report.

3. Romero, I. M. A. et al., 2000, “Revitalized Tithonian-Cretaceous Petroleum System (!), Off-

shore Campeche”, México. Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies and Gulf Coast
Section SEPM Transactions of the 50th Annual Convention, Houston, Texas. October 25-
27, 2000. October 17–20, 2000.

Figure 1: Cantarell oil field location map.

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Figure 2: Bidimensional seismic acquisition obtained in early 1972.

Figure 3: Cantarell complex showing the Chac, Nohoch, Akal and Kutz blocks.

Figure 4: 3D Seismic line acquired in 1978 shows the Akal-2001 location

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Figure 5: 3D Seismic Line and the location of Cantarell 418D well

Figure 6: Structural section showing thrusting block “Akal” and “Sihil” thrusted block.

Figure 7: Schematic section showing structural styles off Cantarell Field.

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Figure 8: The Cantarell Field Tectonic Evolution Model.

Figure 9: Relationship between oil API gravity and the Tithonian source rock maturity.

Figure 10: Cantarell-418D Geological Column, Sihil Reservoir.

A second well tested successfully the Upper Jurassic in the underthrusted block.

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N
E
Sea level W S

C.-418D
WELL

20 Km..

BASIN SLOPE SHELF

Figure 11: Late Cretaceous depositational model.

Figure 12: Cantarell-418D well log and test production data for the Cretaceous reservoir..

Figure 13: Cantarell-3068 well Geological Column and test production data No.1 in
the Cretaceous of the Sihil block.

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Figure 14: Structural map shows the Sihil Reservoir Oil Reserves area.

Figure 15: Exploration perspectives of new subyacent blocks prospects.

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