Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Announces First Quarter 2024 Results
Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
(“Gran Tierra” or
the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE) today
announced the Company’s financial and operating results for the
quarter ended March 31, 2024 (“
the
Quarter”). All dollar amounts are in United States
dollars, and production amounts are on an average working interest
(“
WI”) before royalties basis unless otherwise
indicated. Per barrel (“
bbl”) and bbl per day
(“
BOPD”) amounts are based on WI sales before
royalties. For per bbl amounts based on net after royalty
(“
NAR”) production, see Gran Tierra’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed May 1, 2024.
Message to Shareholders
Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “During the Quarter we made
significant progress in our development drilling programs. We are
very pleased about the successful drilling program in Costayaco
that confirmed the Company’s reservoir interpretation and extended
the field both to the north and the south. In a field that was
originally discovered in 2007, our 2024 program increased
production to the highest level since 2017, helping to ensure the
Company is well on track to meet its previously announced guidance
for 2024.
In addition, we are having excellent results in
our core assets under waterflood, the balance sheet is strong, and
we are very excited about the initial drilling and open-hole
logging results of the Arawana exploration well in the Chanangue
block in Ecuador. The analog for the Arawana exploration well is
the Company’s Cohembi field 20 kilometers to the north. Arawana is
drilling 1.5 km across a fault from the recent Bocachico-1 well.
Bocachico-1 had initial 90-day production rates in the Basal Tena
(N-Sand geologic equivalent to Cohembi) of greater than 1,100 BOPD
and continues to produce at approximately 850 BOPD, 20 degree API
oil, has less than 1 percent water cut and has recovered over
330,000 barrels since drilled.
Our mapped area of closure, and the rock
properties observed in the Arawana-1 well compares to the Cohembi
field. As of the end of 2023, the Cohembi field has produced 28
million barrels of oil equivalent (“MMBOE”) and has remaining
reserves of 25 MMBOE proved, 54 MMBOE proved plus probable and 95
MMBOE proved plus probable plus possible.
We are very excited to get this well cased and
start testing Arawana-1 in May.”
Key Highlights of the
Quarter:
-
Production: Gran Tierra’s total average WI
production was 32,242 BOPD, an increase of 3% compared to the
fourth quarter 2023 (“the Prior Quarter”) and up
2% from the first quarter 2023. During the Quarter we had deferred
production of approximately 1,000 BOPD as a result of social
disruptions in the Acordionero field. Post disruption the field is
back to expected production levels of over 17,000 BOPD.
- Net Income: Gran
Tierra incurred a net loss of $0.1 million, compared to net income
of $8 million in the Prior Quarter and a net loss of $10 million in
the first quarter of 2023.
- Adjusted
EBITDA(2): Adjusted EBITDA(2) was $95
million compared to $93 million in the Prior Quarter and $90
million in the first quarter of 2023. Twelve month trailing Net
Debt(2) to Adjusted EBITDA(2) was 1.3 times and is expected to be
less than 1.0x by year end 2024.
- Funds
Flow from Operations(2):
Funds flow from operations(2) was $74 million ($2.34 basic per
share), down 12% from the Prior Quarter and up 24% from the first
quarter of 2023.
- Free
Cash Flow(2): During the
Quarter, the Company generated free cash flow of approximately $19
million.
- Cash and
Debt: As of March 31, 2024, the Company had a cash
balance of $127 million, total debt(2) of $637 million and net
debt(2) of $510 million. During the Quarter, the Company issued an
additional $100 million of 9.50% Senior Notes due October 2029, and
received cash proceeds of $88 million.
- Credit
Facility: During the Quarter, Gran Tierra fully re-paid
the outstanding balance on Company’s credit facility of $36 million
and the facility was terminated.
- Share
Buybacks: Gran Tierra purchased approximately 0.9 million
shares during the Quarter. Since January 1, 2023 the Company has
repurchased approximately 3.3 million shares, or 10% of shares
issued and outstanding at January 1, 2023, from free cash
flow.
- Return
on Average Capital
Employed(2): Achieved
return on average capital employed(2) of 14% during the Quarter and
16% over the trailing twelve months.
Additional Key Financial
Metrics:
- Capital
Expenditures: Capital expenditures of $55 million were
higher than the $39 million in the Prior Quarter due to higher
drilling activity during the Quarter and down from $71 million
compared to the first quarter of 2023 due to cost optimization of
the 2024 drilling program. During the Quarter, Gran Tierra
completed its development program in Acordionero and the majority
of the program in Costayaco.
- Oil
Sales: Gran Tierra generated oil sales of $158 million, up
2% from the Prior Quarter and 9% from the first quarter of 2023.
Oil sales increased compared to the Prior Quarter primarily due to
a 5% increase in sales volumes resulting from the sale of inventory
in Ecuador and a decrease in the Castilla differential, offset by
higher Vasconia and Oriente differentials. Compared to the first
quarter of 2023, oil sales increased due to lower Castilla,
Vasconia and Oriente differentials.
- Quality
and Transportation Discounts: The Company’s quality and
transportation discounts per bbl were consistent during the Quarter
at $15.36, compared to $15.34 in the Prior Quarter and down from
$18.45 in the first quarter of 2023. The Castilla oil differential
per bbl narrowed to $8.82 from $9.68 in the Prior Quarter and from
$15.17 in the first quarter of 2023 (Castilla is the benchmark for
the Company’s Middle Magdalena Valley Basin oil production). The
Vasconia differential per bbl widened to $5.05 from $4.58 in the
Prior Quarter, and narrowed from $7.87 in the first quarter of
2023. Finally, the Ecuadorian benchmark, Oriente, per bbl was
$8.02, up from $7.07 in the Prior Quarter, and down from $13.43 one
year ago. The current(1) Castilla differential is approximately
$7.60 per bbl, the Vasconia differential is approximately $3.70 per
bbl and the Oriente differential is approximately $7.60 per
bbl.
-
Operating Expenses: Gran Tierra’s operating
expenses increased by 2% to $48 million, compared to the Prior
Quarter primarily due to higher workovers offset by lower lifting
costs primarily related to power generation optimizations in
Costayaco, Acordionero and Cohembi fields. Compared to the first
quarter of 2023, operating expenses increased by 12% on a per bbl
basis due to higher workovers and lifting costs associated with
preventative maintenance activities, which were partially offset by
lower environmental and equipment rental expenses.
-
Transportation Expenses: The Company’s
transportation expenses increased by 16% to $4.6 million, compared
to the Prior Quarter of $3.9 million and increased by 50% or $3.1
million when compared to the first quarter of 2023. During the
Quarter, Gran Tierra utilized longer distance delivery points due
to low river levels in Colombia caused by El Niño preventing,
resulting in higher transportation costs.
-
Operating
Netback(2)(3): The
Company’s operating netback(2)(3) was $35.37 per bbl, a decrease of
2% from the Prior Quarter and up 1% from the first quarter of
2023.
- General
and Administrative (“G&A”) Expenses: G&A expenses
before stock-based compensation were $3.22 per bbl, down from $3.86
per bbl in the Prior Quarter due to lower legal expenses and lower
headcount and down from $3.95 per barrel, when compared to the
first quarter of 2023 due to lower legal fees and information
technology expenses.
- Cash
Netback(2): Cash netback(2) per bbl was
$25.13, compared to $29.53 in the Prior Quarter primarily as a
result of current tax expenses of $1.33 per bbl compared to a
recovery of $2.80 per bbl in the Prior Quarter. Compared to one
year ago, cash netback per bbl increased by $3.97 to $25.13 per bbl
as a result of lower current taxes in the Quarter.
Development Campaign:
- Costayaco
- Since December
2023, Gran Tierra has drilled seven wells of which six are oil
producers and one is a water injector.
- The aggregate
IP30 rates from the four wells drilled in the north was 5,707 BOPD,
unstimulated and on a jet pump. Starting in May 2024, the recently
drilled wells will undergo stimulation and installation of
optimized artificial lift systems such as Electric Submersible
Pumps. This will allow for higher total fluid rates, allowing the
wells to produce at full potential for the remainder of the
year.
- Acordionero
- An eleven well
development drilling program was started in December 2023. All
eleven wells have been drilled to date including nine producers and
two water injection wells. All wells are on production and
injection. The results from the campaign are consistent with budget
while continuing to add material free cash flow for the
Company.
- Upon completion
of the program the drilling rig was mobilized and transported to
Ecuador to begin the exploration campaign.
Gran Tierra’s Commitment to Go “Beyond
Compliance” in Environmental, Social and Governance
-
Safety:
- 2023 was the
safest year in Company history, with over 19 million work hours
without any incidents causing lost time since June 9, 2022.
-
Environment:
- Through all of
Gran Tierra’s reforestation efforts, the Company has planted over
1.6 million trees and has conserved, preserved, or reforested
approximately 4,500 hectares of land since 2018.
- Reducing
Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Emissions:
- Gran Tierra is
reducing GHG emissions at its facilities through gas-to-power
projects that conserve excess natural gas that would otherwise be
flared, using the gas instead for power generation. In 2023, Gran
Tierra’s gas-to-power projects generated 68% of the total energy
used in all of the Company’s operations.
- Social
& Human Rights:
- Over 350,000
people participated in and benefited from Gran Tierra’s voluntary
social investment programs over the past six years in Colombia and
Ecuador.
- Gran Tierra has
been accepted by the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI) as an
official member of the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human
Rights world-wide initiative.
- Installed
residential water filters to approximately 150 households in Campo
Alegre, Colombia providing clean drinking water to a local
community and their two schools.
- Gran Tierra’s
flagship social program in Ecuador, Sucumbíos Sostenible, provided
training and delivered approximately 59,000 cacao plants and over
600 cattle to local community members near our operations in
2023.
Financial and Operational Highlights
(all amounts in $000s, except per share and bbl
amounts)
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (Loss)
Income |
$ |
(78 |
) |
$ |
(9,700 |
) |
|
$ |
7,711 |
|
Per Share - Basic(4) |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(0.28 |
) |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
Per Share - Diluted(4) |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(0.28 |
) |
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil
Sales |
$ |
157,577 |
|
$ |
144,190 |
|
|
$ |
154,944 |
|
Operating
Expenses |
|
(48,466 |
) |
|
(41,369 |
) |
|
|
(47,637 |
) |
Transportation
Expenses |
|
(4,584 |
) |
|
(3,066 |
) |
|
|
(3,947 |
) |
Operating
Netback(2)(3) |
$ |
104,527 |
|
$ |
99,755 |
|
|
$ |
103,360 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
G&A Expenses
Before Stock-Based Compensation |
$ |
9,516 |
|
$ |
11,196 |
|
|
$ |
11,072 |
|
G&A Stock-Based
Compensation Expense |
|
3,361 |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,974 |
|
G&A Expenses,
Including Stock Based Compensation |
$ |
12,877 |
|
$ |
12,696 |
|
|
$ |
13,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
EBITDA(2) |
$ |
94,792 |
|
$ |
89,865 |
|
|
$ |
92,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(2) |
$ |
91,891 |
|
$ |
87,215 |
|
|
$ |
83,634 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash Provided by
Operating Activities |
$ |
60,827 |
|
$ |
49,253 |
|
|
$ |
70,481 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds Flow from
Operations(2) |
$ |
74,307 |
|
$ |
60,016 |
|
|
$ |
84,663 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
Expenditures |
$ |
55,331 |
|
$ |
71,062 |
|
|
$ |
39,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free Cash
Flow(2) |
$ |
18,976 |
|
$ |
(11,046 |
) |
|
$ |
45,488 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Daily Volumes (BOPD) |
|
|
|
|
WI Production Before Royalties |
|
32,242 |
|
|
31,611 |
|
|
|
31,309 |
|
Royalties |
|
(6,397 |
) |
|
(6,085 |
) |
|
|
(6,417 |
) |
Production
NAR |
|
25,845 |
|
|
25,526 |
|
|
|
24,892 |
|
Decrease (Increase) in
Inventory |
|
235 |
|
|
(355 |
) |
|
|
57 |
|
Sales |
|
26,080 |
|
|
25,171 |
|
|
|
24,949 |
|
Royalties, % of WI
Production Before Royalties |
|
20 |
% |
|
19 |
% |
|
|
20 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Per bbl |
|
|
|
|
Brent |
$ |
81.76 |
|
$ |
82.10 |
|
|
$ |
82.85 |
|
Quality and
Transportation Discount |
|
(15.36 |
) |
|
(18.45 |
) |
|
|
(15.34 |
) |
Royalties |
|
(13.08 |
) |
|
(12.80 |
) |
|
|
(13.47 |
) |
Average Realized
Price |
|
53.32 |
|
|
50.85 |
|
|
|
54.04 |
|
Transportation
Expenses |
|
(1.55 |
) |
|
(1.08 |
) |
|
|
(1.38 |
) |
Average Realized Price
Net of Transportation Expenses |
|
51.77 |
|
|
49.77 |
|
|
|
52.66 |
|
Operating
Expenses |
|
(16.40 |
) |
|
(14.59 |
) |
|
|
(16.61 |
) |
Operating
Netback(2)(3) |
|
35.37 |
|
|
35.18 |
|
|
|
36.05 |
|
G&A Expenses
Before Stock-Based Compensation |
|
(3.22 |
) |
|
(3.95 |
) |
|
|
(3.86 |
) |
Severance
Expenses |
|
(0.43 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Realized Foreign
Exchange Loss |
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
(0.42 |
) |
|
|
(0.34 |
) |
Interest Expense,
Excluding Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs |
|
(5.12 |
) |
|
(3.90 |
) |
|
|
(5.35 |
) |
Interest
Income |
|
0.23 |
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
Net Lease
Payments |
|
0.12 |
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
Current Income Tax
Expense (Recovery) |
|
(1.33 |
) |
|
(6.21 |
) |
|
|
2.80 |
|
Cash
Netback(2) |
$ |
25.13 |
|
$ |
21.16 |
|
|
$ |
29.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Information (000s) |
|
|
|
|
Common Stock Outstanding, End of
Period(4) |
|
31,401 |
|
|
33,307 |
|
|
|
32,247 |
|
Weighted Average
Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding -
Basic(4) |
|
31,813 |
|
|
34,451 |
|
|
|
32,861 |
|
Weighted Average
Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding -
Diluted(4) |
|
31,813 |
|
|
34,451 |
|
|
|
32,921 |
|
(1) Gran Tierra’s total current average production for second
quarter-to-date 2024 is the period of April 1 to April 29, 2024.
Gran Tierra’s second quarter-to-date 2024 total average
differentials are for the period from April 1 to April 29, 2024
(2) Funds flow from operations, operating
netback, net debt, cash netback, return on average capital
employed, earnings before interest, taxes and depletion,
depreciation and accretion (“DD&A”)
(“EBITDA”) and
EBITDA adjusted for non-cash lease expense, lease payments, foreign
exchange gains or losses, stock-based compensation expense,
unrealized derivative instruments gains or losses, and other
financial instruments gains or losses (“Adjusted
EBITDA”), cash flow, free cash flow and net debt are
non-GAAP measures and do not have standardized meanings under
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America (“GAAP”). Cash flow refers to funds flow
from operations. Free cash flow refers to funds flow from
operations less capital expenditures. Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures”
in this press release for descriptions of these non-GAAP measures
and, where applicable, reconciliations to the most directly
comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with
GAAP.(3) Operating netback as presented is defined as oil sales
less operating and transportation expenses. See the table titled
Financial and Operational Highlights above for the components of
consolidated operating netback and corresponding reconciliation.(4)
Reflects our 1-for-10 reverse stock split that became effective
May 5, 2023.
Conference Call
Information:
Gran Tierra will host its first quarter 2024
results conference call on Wednesday, May 2, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
Mountain Time, 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties may
access the conference call by registering at the following link:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3642d81e05184759a47d21a0fddda043.
The call will also be available via webcast at
www.grantierra.com.
Corporate Presentation:
Gran Tierra’s Corporate Presentation has been
updated and is available on the Company website at
www.grantierra.com.
Contact Information
For investor and media inquiries please contact:
Gary Guidry President & Chief Executive Officer
Ryan Ellson Executive Vice President & Chief Financial
Officer
+1-403-265-3221
info@grantierra.com
About Gran Tierra Energy
Inc.Gran Tierra Energy Inc. together with its subsidiaries
is an independent international energy company currently focused on
oil and natural gas exploration and production in Colombia and
Ecuador. The Company is currently developing its existing portfolio
of assets in Colombia and Ecuador and will continue to pursue
additional new growth opportunities that would further strengthen
the Company’s portfolio. The Company’s common stock trades on the
NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock
Exchange under the ticker symbol GTE. Additional information
concerning Gran Tierra is available at www.grantierra.com. Except
to the extent expressly stated otherwise, information on the
Company’s website or accessible from our website or any other
website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be
considered part of this press release. Investor inquiries may be
directed to info@grantierra.com or (403) 265-3221.
Gran Tierra’s Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)
filings are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. The
Company’s Canadian securities regulatory filings are available on
SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca and UK regulatory filings are
available on the National Storage Mechanism website at
https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.
Forward Looking Statements and Legal
Advisories:This press release contains opinions,
forecasts, projections, and other statements about future events or
results that constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and financial outlook and forward looking information within the
meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively,
“forward-looking statements”). All statements other than statements
of historical facts included in this press release regarding our
business strategy, plans and objectives of our management for
future operations, capital spending plans and benefits of the
changes in our capital program or expenditures, our expected
financial condition, leverage ratio target, and those statements
preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words
“expect,” “plan,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “guidance,” “forecast,”
“budget,” “estimate,” “signal,” “progress” and “believes,”
derivations thereof and similar terms identify forward-looking
statements. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this
press release contains forward-looking statements regarding: the
Company’s expected future production, capital expenditures and free
cash flow, the Company’s targeted cash balance and uses of excess
free cash flow, including the repayment of borrowings under its
credit facility, the Company’s plans regarding strategic
investments, acquisitions and growth, the Company’s drilling
program and the Company’s expectations of commodity prices and its
positioning for 2024. The forward-looking statements contained in
this press release reflect several material factors and
expectations and assumptions of Gran Tierra including, without
limitation, that Gran Tierra will continue to conduct its
operations in a manner consistent with its current expectations,
pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity
pricing and exchange rates), and the general continuance of assumed
operational, regulatory and industry conditions in Colombia and
Ecuador, and the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business and
operational plans in the manner currently planned.
Among the important factors that could cause our actual results
to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this
press release include, but are not limited to: our operations are
located in South America and unexpected problems can arise due to
guerilla activity, strikes, local blockades or protests; technical
difficulties and operational difficulties may arise which impact
the production, transport or sale of our products; other
disruptions to local operations; global health events; global and
regional changes in the demand, supply, prices, differentials or
other market conditions affecting oil and gas, including inflation
and changes resulting from a global health crisis, geopolitical
events, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza region, or
from the imposition or lifting of crude oil production quotas or
other actions that might be imposed by OPEC and other producing
countries and the resulting company or third-party actions in
response to such changes; changes in commodity prices, including
volatility or a prolonged decline in these prices relative to
historical or future expected levels; the risk that current global
economic and credit conditions may impact oil prices and oil
consumption more than we currently predict. which could cause
further modification of our strategy and capital spending program;
prices and markets for oil and natural gas are unpredictable and
volatile; the effect of hedges; the accuracy of productive capacity
of any particular field; geographic, political and weather
conditions can impact the production, transport or sale of our
products; our ability to execute our business plan and realize
expected benefits from current initiatives; the risk that
unexpected delays and difficulties in developing currently owned
properties may occur; the ability to replace reserves and
production and develop and manage reserves on an economically
viable basis; the accuracy of testing and production results and
seismic data, pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to
commodity pricing and exchange rates); the risk profile of planned
exploration activities; the effects of drilling down-dip; the
effects of waterflood and multi-stage fracture stimulation
operations; the extent and effect of delivery disruptions,
equipment performance and costs; actions by third parties; the
timely receipt of regulatory or other required approvals for our
operating activities; the failure of exploratory drilling to result
in commercial wells; unexpected delays due to the limited
availability of drilling equipment and personnel; volatility or
declines in the trading price of our common stock or bonds; the
risk that we do not receive the anticipated benefits of government
programs, including government tax refunds; our ability to comply
with financial covenants in our indentures and make borrowings
under any future credit agreement; and the risk factors detailed
from time to time in Gran Tierra’s periodic reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation,
under the caption “Risk Factors” in Gran Tierra’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed February 20,
2024 and its other filings with the SEC. These filings are
available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release
are based on certain assumptions made by Gran Tierra based on
management’s experience and other factors believed to be
appropriate. Gran Tierra believes these assumptions to be
reasonable at this time, but the forward-looking statements are
subject to risk and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Gran
Tierra’s control, which may cause actual results to differ
materially from those implied or expressed by the forward looking
statements. The risk that the assumptions on which the 2024 outlook
are based prove incorrect may increase the later the period to
which the outlook relates. All forward-looking statements are made
as of the date of this press release and the fact that this press
release remains available does not constitute a representation by
Gran Tierra that Gran Tierra believes these forward-looking
statements continue to be true as of any subsequent date. Actual
results may vary materially from the expected results expressed in
forward-looking statements. Gran Tierra disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as expressly required by applicable law. In addition,
historical, current and forward-looking sustainability-related
statements may be based on standards for measuring progress that
are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue
to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the
future.
The estimates of future financial performance set forth in this
press release may be considered to be future-oriented financial
information or a financial outlook for purposes of applicable
Canadian securities laws. Financial outlook and future-oriented
financial information contained in this press release about the
Company’s prospective budget, financial objectives, Net Debt to
Adjusted EBITDA ratio, financial performance, financial position or
cash flows are provided to give the reader a better understanding
of the potential future performance of the Company in certain areas
and are based on assumptions about future events, including
economic conditions and proposed courses of action, based on
management’s assessment of the relevant information currently
available, and to become available in the future. In particular,
this press release contains projected operational and financial
information for 2024 to allow readers to assess the Company’s
ability to fund its programs. These projections contain
forward-looking statements and are based on a number of material
assumptions and factors set out above. Actual results may differ
significantly from the projections presented herein. The actual
results of Gran Tierra’s operations for any period could vary from
the amounts set forth in these projections, and such variations may
be material. See above for a discussion of the risks that could
cause actual results to vary. The future-oriented financial
information and financial outlooks contained in this press release
have been approved by management as of the date of this press
release. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook and
future-oriented financial information contained herein should not
be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed
herein. The Company and its management believe that the prospective
financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis,
reflecting management’s best estimates and judgments, and
represent, to the best of management’s knowledge and opinion, the
Company’s expected course of action. However, because this
information is highly subjective, it should not be relied on as
necessarily indicative of future results.
Non-GAAP Measures
This press release includes non-GAAP financial
measures as further described herein. These non-GAAP measures do
not have a standardized meaning under GAAP. Investors are cautioned
that these measures should not be construed as alternatives to net
income or loss, cash flow from operating activities or other
measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with
GAAP. Gran Tierra’s method of calculating these measures may differ
from other companies and, accordingly, they may not be comparable
to similar measures used by other companies. Each non-GAAP
financial measure is presented along with the corresponding GAAP
measure so as to not imply that more emphasis should be placed on
the non-GAAP measure.
Operating netback as presented is defined as oil
sales less operating and transportation expenses. See the table
entitled Financial and Operational Highlights above for the
components of consolidated operating netback and corresponding
reconciliation.
Return on average capital employed as presented
is defined as earnings before interest and taxes
("EBIT"; annualized, if the period is other than
one year) divided by average capital employed (total assets minus
cash and current liabilities; average of the opening and closing
balances for the period).
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
Twelve Month Trailing March
31, |
|
As at March 31, |
Return on Average Capital Employed - (Non-GAAP) Measure
($000s) |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2024 |
Net (Loss)
Income |
|
$ |
(78 |
) |
|
$ |
3,335 |
|
|
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net (loss) income to EBIT: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Expense |
|
|
18,424 |
|
|
|
62,394 |
|
|
|
Income Tax Expense |
|
|
17,395 |
|
|
|
96,959 |
|
|
|
Earnings before
interest and income tax |
|
$ |
35,741 |
|
|
$ |
162,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,402,410 |
Less Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
257,721 |
Less Cash and Cash Equivalents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
126,618 |
Capital
Employed |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,018,071 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annualized EBIT* |
|
$ |
142,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
Divided by Average Capital Employed |
|
|
1,018,071 |
|
|
|
1,018,071 |
|
|
|
Return on Average
Capital Employed |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
16 |
% |
|
|
*Annualized EBIT was calculated for the three
months ended March 31, 2024, by multiplying the quarter-to-date
EBIT by 4.
Cash netback as presented is defined as net
income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, deferred tax expense
or recovery, stock-based compensation expense or recovery,
amortization of debt issuance costs, non-cash lease expense, lease
payments, unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss, unrealized
derivative instruments gain or loss, other gain or loss and
financial instruments gain or loss. Management believes that
operating netback and cash netback are useful supplemental measures
for investors to analyze financial performance and provide an
indication of the results generated by Gran Tierra’s principal
business activities prior to the consideration of other income and
expenses. A reconciliation from net income or loss to cash netback
is as follows:
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
Cash Netback - (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
Net (loss)
income |
$ |
(78 |
) |
$ |
(9,700 |
) |
|
$ |
7,711 |
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net (loss) income to cash netback |
|
|
|
|
DD&A expenses |
|
56,150 |
|
|
52,196 |
|
|
|
52,635 |
|
Deferred tax expense |
|
13,479 |
|
|
15,277 |
|
|
|
13,517 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
3,361 |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,974 |
|
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
|
3,306 |
|
|
781 |
|
|
|
2,437 |
|
Non-cash lease expense |
|
1,413 |
|
|
1,144 |
|
|
|
1,479 |
|
Lease payments |
|
(1,058 |
) |
|
(606 |
) |
|
|
(1,100 |
) |
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss |
|
(2,266 |
) |
|
514 |
|
|
|
2,729 |
|
Other (gain) loss |
|
— |
|
|
(1,090 |
) |
|
|
3,266 |
|
Financial instruments loss |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Cash
netback |
$ |
74,307 |
|
$ |
60,016 |
|
|
$ |
84,663 |
|
EBITDA, as presented, is defined as net income
or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses, interest expense and income
tax expense or recovery. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, is defined
as EBITDA adjusted for non-cash lease expense, lease payments,
foreign exchange gain or loss, stock-based compensation expense or
recovery, other gain or loss and financial instruments loss.
Management uses this supplemental measure to analyze performance
and income generated by our principal business activities prior to
the consideration of how non-cash items affect that income, and
believes that this financial measure is useful supplemental
information for investors to analyze our performance and our
financial results. A reconciliation from net income or loss to
EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Twelve Month Trailing March
31, |
EBITDA - (Non-GAAP) Measure ($000s) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
Net (loss)
income |
$ |
(78 |
) |
$ |
(9,700 |
) |
|
$ |
7,711 |
|
|
$ |
3,335 |
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net (loss) income to EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DD&A expenses |
|
56,150 |
|
|
52,196 |
|
|
|
52,635 |
|
|
|
219,538 |
|
Interest expense |
|
18,424 |
|
|
11,836 |
|
|
|
17,789 |
|
|
|
62,394 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
17,395 |
|
|
32,883 |
|
|
|
5,499 |
|
|
|
96,959 |
|
EBITDA |
$ |
91,891 |
|
$ |
87,215 |
|
|
$ |
83,634 |
|
|
$ |
382,226 |
|
Non-cash lease expense |
|
1,413 |
|
|
1,144 |
|
|
|
1,479 |
|
|
|
5,236 |
|
Lease payments |
|
(1,058 |
) |
|
(606 |
) |
|
|
(1,100 |
) |
|
|
(3,470 |
) |
Foreign exchange (gain) loss |
|
(815 |
) |
|
1,702 |
|
|
|
3,696 |
|
|
|
9,305 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
3,361 |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,974 |
|
|
|
7,583 |
|
Other (gain) loss |
|
— |
|
|
(1,090 |
) |
|
|
3,266 |
|
|
|
3,387 |
|
Financial instruments loss |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Adjusted
EBITDA |
$ |
94,792 |
|
$ |
89,865 |
|
|
$ |
92,964 |
|
|
$ |
404,282 |
|
Funds flow from operations, as presented, is
defined as net income or loss adjusted for DD&A expenses,
deferred tax expense or recovery, stock-based compensation expense
or recovery, amortization of debt issuance costs, non-cash lease
expense, lease payments, unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss,
other gain or loss and financial instruments loss. Management uses
this financial measure to analyze performance and income or loss
generated by our principal business activities prior to the
consideration of how non-cash items affect that income or loss, and
believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental
information for investors to analyze performance and our financial
results. Free cash flow, as presented, is defined as funds flow
from operations adjusted for capital expenditures. Management uses
this financial measure to analyze cash flow generated by our
principal business activities after capital requirements and
believes that this financial measure is also useful supplemental
information for investors to analyze performance and our financial
results. A reconciliation from net income or loss to both funds
flow from operations and free cash flow is as follows:
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Twelve Month Trailing March 31, |
Funds Flow From Operations - (Non-GAAP)
Measure ($000s) |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
Net (loss)
income |
$ |
(78 |
) |
$ |
(9,700 |
) |
|
$ |
7,711 |
|
|
$ |
3,335 |
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net (loss) income to funds flow from
operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DD&A expenses |
|
56,150 |
|
|
52,196 |
|
|
|
52,635 |
|
|
|
219,538 |
|
Deferred tax expense |
|
13,479 |
|
|
15,277 |
|
|
|
13,517 |
|
|
|
54,961 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
3,361 |
|
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
1,974 |
|
|
|
7,583 |
|
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
|
3,306 |
|
|
781 |
|
|
|
2,437 |
|
|
|
8,356 |
|
Non-cash lease expense |
|
1,413 |
|
|
1,144 |
|
|
|
1,479 |
|
|
|
5,236 |
|
Lease payments |
|
(1,058 |
) |
|
(606 |
) |
|
|
(1,100 |
) |
|
|
(3,470 |
) |
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss |
|
(2,266 |
) |
|
514 |
|
|
|
2,729 |
|
|
|
(7,865 |
) |
Other (gain) loss |
|
— |
|
|
(1,090 |
) |
|
|
3,266 |
|
|
|
3,387 |
|
Financial instruments loss |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Funds flow from
operations |
$ |
74,307 |
|
$ |
60,016 |
|
|
$ |
84,663 |
|
|
$ |
291,076 |
|
Capital expenditures |
$ |
55,331 |
|
$ |
71,062 |
|
|
$ |
39,175 |
|
|
$ |
203,151 |
|
Free cash
flow |
$ |
18,976 |
|
$ |
(11,046 |
) |
|
$ |
45,488 |
|
|
$ |
87,925 |
|
Net debt as of March 31, 2024, was $510
million, calculated using the sum of 6.25% Senior Notes, 7.75%
Senior Notes, and 9.50% Senior Notes excluding deferred financing
fees totaling $637 million, less cash and cash equivalents of $127
million.
Presentation of Oil and Gas
Information
All reserves value and ancillary information
contained in this press release have been prepared by the Company's
independent qualified reserves evaluator McDaniel & Associates
Consultants Ltd. (“McDaniel”) in a report with an effective date of
December 31, 2023 (the “GTE McDaniel Reserves Report”) and
calculated in compliance with Canadian National Instrument 51-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (“NI 51-101”)
and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (“COGEH”), unless
otherwise expressly stated.
Estimates of net present value and future net
revenue contained herein do not necessarily represent fair market
value. Estimates of reserves and future net revenue for individual
properties may not reflect the same level of confidence as
estimates of reserves and future net revenue for all properties,
due to the effect of aggregation. There is no assurance that the
forecast price and cost assumptions applied by McDaniel in
evaluating Gran Tierra’s reserves will be attained and variances
could be material. All reserves assigned in the GTE McDaniel
Reserves Report are located in Colombia and Ecuador and presented
on a consolidated basis by foreign geographic area. There are
numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of crude
oil reserves. The reserve information set forth in the GTE McDaniel
Reserves Report are estimates only and there is no guarantee that
the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual reserves may be
greater than or less than the estimates provided therein.
Proved reserves are those reserves that can be
estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is
likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed
the estimated proved reserves. Probable reserves are those
additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than
proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining
quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the
estimated proved plus probable reserves. Possible reserves are
those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered
than Probable reserves. There is a 10% probability that the
quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of
Proved plus Probable plus Possible reserves.
References to a formation where evidence of
hydrocarbons has been encountered is not necessarily an indicator
that hydrocarbons will be recoverable in commercial quantities or
in any estimated volume. Gran Tierra’s reported production is a mix
of light crude oil and medium and heavy crude oil for which there
is not a precise breakdown since the Company’s oil sales volumes
typically represent blends of more than one type of crude oil. Well
test results should be considered as preliminary and not
necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate
recovery. Well log interpretations indicating oil and gas
accumulations are not necessarily indicative of future production
or ultimate recovery. If it is indicated that a pressure transient
analysis or well-test interpretation has not been carried out, any
data disclosed in that respect should be considered preliminary
until such analysis has been completed. References to thickness of
“oil pay” or of a formation where evidence of hydrocarbons has been
encountered is not necessarily an indicator that hydrocarbons will
be recoverable in commercial quantities or in any estimated
volume.
This press release contains certain oil and gas
metrics, including operating netback and cash netback, which do not
have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and
therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar measures
used by other companies and should not be used to make comparisons.
These metrics are calculated as described in this press release and
management believes that they are useful supplemental measures for
the reasons described in this press release.
Such metrics have been included herein to
provide readers with additional measures to evaluate the Company’s
performance; however, such measures are not reliable indicators of
the future performance of the Company and future performance may
not compare to the performance in previous periods.
Disclosure of Reserve Information and
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
Unless expressly stated otherwise, all estimates
of proved, probable and possible reserves and related future net
revenue disclosed in this press release have been prepared in
accordance with NI 51-101. Estimates of reserves and future net
revenue made in accordance with NI 51-101 will differ from
corresponding GAAP standardized measure prepared in accordance with
applicable SEC rules and disclosure requirements of the U.S.
Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and those
differences may be material. NI 51-101, for example, requires
disclosure of reserves and related future net revenue estimates
based on forecast prices and costs, whereas SEC and FASB standards
require that reserves and related future net revenue be estimated
using average prices for the previous 12 months and that the
standardized measure reflect discounted future net income taxes
related to the Company’s operations. In addition, NI 51-101 permits
the presentation of reserves estimates on a “company gross” basis,
representing Gran Tierra’s working interest share before deduction
of royalties, whereas SEC and FASB standards require the
presentation of net reserve estimates after the deduction of
royalties and similar payments. There are also differences in the
technical reserves estimation standards applicable under NI 51-101
and, pursuant thereto, the COGEH, and those applicable under SEC
and FASB requirements. In addition to being a reporting issuer in
certain Canadian jurisdictions, Gran Tierra is a registrant with
the SEC and subject to domestic issuer reporting requirements under
U.S. federal securities law, including with respect to the
disclosure of reserves and other oil and gas information in
accordance with U.S. federal securities law and applicable SEC
rules and regulations (collectively, “SEC requirements”).
Disclosure of such information in accordance with SEC requirements
is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in
other reports and materials filed with or furnished to the SEC and,
as applicable, Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The SEC
permits oil and gas companies that are subject to domestic issuer
reporting requirements under U.S. federal securities law, in their
filings with the SEC, to disclose only estimated proved, probable
and possible reserves that meet the SEC’s definitions of such
terms. Gran Tierra has disclosed estimated proved, probable and
possible reserves in its filings with the SEC. In addition, Gran
Tierra prepares its financial statements in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles, which require that
the notes to its annual financial statements include supplementary
disclosure in respect of the Company’s oil and gas activities,
including estimates of its proved oil and gas reserves and a
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating
to proved oil and gas reserve quantities. This supplementary
financial statement disclosure is presented in accordance with FASB
requirements, which align with corresponding SEC requirements
concerning reserves estimation and reporting.
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