--> Structural Geology and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Northern Part of the Upper Magdalena Basin, Colombia, by J. Namson, R. Cunningham, and G. Woodcock; #90986 (1994).

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Abstract: Structural Geology and Hydrocarbon Potential of the Northern Part of the Upper Magdalena Basin, Colombia

Jay Namson, Russ Cunningham, George Woodcock

This study focuses on the structural geology and exploration plays of the Guaduas syncline in the upper Magdalena basin. The structural interpretations are constrained by integrating surface geology, subsurface well data and seismic reflection data into a series of balanced cross sections. The area can be divided into four main structural trends. On the west is a relatively undeformed section of Cenozoic strata that onlaps the basement to the west and is bounded on the east by the Cambao thrust. Principle structures in this trend are folds associated with 1-2 km of slip on the Honda thrust. The second structural trend is a series of hanging wall anticlines along the leading edge of the Cambao thrust where Upper Cretaceous units have been the main exploration objective. The next struct ral trend to the east is the Guaduas syncline. The syncline's west limb is caused by a hanging wall flat above a ramp in the Cambao thrust. The last structural trend is a fault-bend-fold that is cut by the Bituima fault on the east while the forelimb forms the eastern limb of the Guaduas syncline. Line-length restorations show the Cambao thrust trajectory is a series of ramps and flats with slip exceeding 20 km in the north decreasing to 7-8 km in the south where the Guaduas syncline terminates into the Giradot fold belt. Exploration wells in the leading edge anticlines have encountered oil saturated Guadalupe sandstone reservoirs that are hydrodynamically connected to surface outcrops where oil seeps are common, although light hydrocarbons have been tested from Villeta Group limestone. he most prospective structural trend is the large anticlinal structure east of the Guaduas syncline in the footwall of the Bituima thrust. The anticline has the potential for large reserves due to its size (50+ km length) and the Cretaceous reservoirs remain untested.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994