The study area within the Tertiary Veracruz Basin has undergone at least five regional geological events associated with voluminous deep-water terrigenous sediments represented by the following six sequences: MS-PL-5.7, MS-6.9, MS-9.2, MM-11.7, MM-16.3, and MI-17.3.

Metamorphic provenance together with evidence from seismic data suggest that during the early Miocene sequence (MI-17.3), deep-water turbidites fed the basin via canyons from the west. A change in depositional pathways and provenance are evident during the middle Miocene sequence (MM-11.7). Seismic stratigraphy and isochron patterns suggest a southwest-derived sediment fill as demonstrated by increasing igneous and metamorphic fragment content and calcareous constituents in the sedarenite reservoir rocks. Sandstones from this interval prove to be very productive hydrocarbon reservoirs. The upper Miocene sequence (MS-6.9) marks a drastic change in fill history and source for the Tertiary Veracruz Basin. Seismic evidence for northwest- to southeast-trending turbidite pathways together with sandstone compositions dominated by felsic to mafic volcanic provenance forms the basis for this interpretation. Prograding deltas begin to dominate the depositional environment beginning in the late Miocene to Pliocene (MS-PL-5.7).

From a relative comparison of the core data, the reservoirs from these key sequences can be ranked in decreasing order of rock quality: first, the MS-PL-5.73 sequence, characterized by maximum porosity approaching 34% and permeability near 1 d; second, the MS-6.9 sequence with maximum porosity of 32% and permeability as high as 795 md; third, the MM-11.7 sequence with 29% maximum porosity and 943-md maximum permeability; and finally, the MI-17.3 sequence with maximum porosity of 23% and 212-md permeability.

The integration of reservoir quality data with seismic character mapping has resulted in innovative concepts and the definition of new exploration potential in recent years. Prior to 2001, only three fields had been discovered in the Tertiary Veracruz Basin, whereas now 16 fields exist. This exploratory success is caused by major acquisition of three-dimensional seismic data and multidisciplinary interpretation work, such as that presented here, conducted by Petroleos Mexicano Exploration and Production personnel in Veracruz City.