The mission of Vice Presidency of Exploration is to "Direct the exploratory activity of Ecopetrol S.A. to increase the volume of hydrocarbon reserves by finding new oil or gas reserves directly, in association with third parties and/or purchasing them".

Ecopetrol S.A. carries out hydrocarbon exploration activities in 32 blocks of Colombian territory directly. In other 15 blocks the company participates in risk with other companies. One of these last blocks is the Tayrona block, located offshore in the Colombian Caribbean.