The American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and YPFB Corporation invite you to be a part of AAPG’s first ever event in Bolivia.

Optimizing Exploration and Development in Thrust Belts and Foreland Basins, a geosciences technology workshop hosted by the AAPG Latin America and Caribbean Region, convenes technical experts and industry leaders from Bolivia and throughout the Americas for a multidisciplinary look at best practices and future opportunities for exploration and development in Bolivia and throughout the region.

Hydrocarbons were first discovered in Bolivia in the late 19th century. Exploration and production began to peak at the end of 1960s and later faltered due to a lack of investment.

More recently, activity has resumed thanks to the Bolivian government’s measures to encourage exploration by offering permits and partnerships.

Important discoveries in the southern section of Bolivia have expanded tremendously the country’s potential reserves of natural gas, currently estimated at 10.45 TCF (certified proved gas reserves, GLJ Petroleum Consultants, 2013). Such discoveries have benefited from new geological and geophysical studies, including extensive seismic surveys.

Bolivia took a new step with the industrialization of hydrocarbons. Two important plants, namely the Liquid Separation Plant (2015) and the Urea and Ammonia Plant (2017), are operating.

New play concepts are being developed by YPFB in conjunction with Beicip-Franlab, focusing mainly in deeper Devonian reservoirs, stratigraphic traps and unconventional targets.

In addition, almost 60 TCF of gas and 5.000 MMbbls of oil are considered as YTF resources (yet to find) scattered not only in the traditional producing areas but in the under explored basins of Madre de Dios, Beni plain and Altiplano.

The southern provinces of Tarija, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz are receiving the most attention. The impact on Bolivia’s economy likely will be significant, given existing pipelines and the country’s proximity to large markets in Argentina and Brazil.

Key to developing the fields and their extensions is an understanding of reservoir connectivity, as well as improved knowledge of the rocks themselves, the structure, and the geochemistry.

The GTW in Santa Cruz provides participants the opportunity to learn more about the country’s hydrocarbon potential, to interact with key players working in Bolivia and to be a part of an exciting future.