Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Announces Test Results of Arawana-J1
Discovery and Provides Ecuador Exploration Update
Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
(“
Gran Tierra”
or
the “
Company”
) (NYSE
American:GTE) (TSX:GTE) (LSE:GTE) today announced an
operational update. All dollar amounts are in United States
dollars, and production amounts are on an average working interest
before royalties (“
WI”) basis unless otherwise
indicated. Per barrel (“
bbl”) and bbl of oil per
day (“
BOPD”) amounts are based on WI sales before
royalties.
Message to Shareholders
Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “Gran Tierra is thrilled to
announce the test results from the Arawana-J1 well (100% WI,
Operator), marking a significant milestone for our operations in
Ecuador. These results not only highlight the potential of the
Arawana field area but continues to demonstrate the success of our
exploration program in our core southern Colombia (Rose discovery)
and northern Ecuador (Bocachico and Charapa Norte discoveries). We
are very excited that the closest analogue to the Arawana field
area, in terms of closure, thickness, rock and fluid properties, is
our Cohembi field located in Colombia's South Putumayo Basin, which
we operate and is located just 20 km to the north. As disclosed
with our latest annual Company reserves disclosure as of December
31, 2023, the ultimate gross Proved plus Probable (“2P”) original
recoverable reserves from Cohembi as estimated by McDaniel &
Associates Consultants Ltd., the Company’s independent qualified
reserves evaluator is 82 million bbls. A major advantage of
operating in both Ecuador and Colombia is the ability to quickly
monetize production from new discoveries. With nearby
infrastructure and regulatory approvals already in place, we are
well-positioned to quickly appraise and develop the Arawana field.
We will utilize Gran Tierra's strong cash flow, solid balance
sheet, and new production from this discovery to fund the
development.
In addition, to our progress testing Arawana-J1,
we are pleased to provide an update on our drilling operations. The
rig that drilled Arawana-J1 was moved to the Bocachico Norte-J1
well cellar, where the Bocachico Norte-J1 well (100% WI, Operator)
was spud on May 24th, marking the start of the second exploration
well in our 2024 exploration plan. As of May 27th, the well is
drilling ahead at approximately 6,670 feet to an expected total
depth of approximately 10,800 feet. Following the drilling and
completion of the Bocachico Norte-J1 well, the rig will move to the
Charapa Block (100% WI, Operator) to commence drilling three
exploration wells. Once this phase is complete, the rig will return
to the Chanangue block to drill two additional exploration wells
from the K pad, Zabaleta-K1 and Zabaleta Oeste-K1 (100% WI,
Operator). We are particularly excited about the Zabaleta wells, as
they are positioned up dip from Arawana-J1 and on the structural
high, promising further potential for significant discoveries in
the vertically stacked intervals of the Basal Tena, U-Sand, T-Sand
and Hollin high permeability sandstones. Gran Tierra is currently
working closely with the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Ecuador to
fast track the exploration and development of all of Gran Tierra’s
Ecuadorian blocks.
The Arawana-J1 discovery, which was the
highest-risk well in our 2024 exploration program, has set the
stage for Gran Tierra to deliver strong reserve results and has
opened another development horizon in Ecuador that we expect to
fully fund from internally generated cash flow. This success also
validates our refined geological model, which has proven effective
with the last four exploration wells yielding four oil discoveries.
We are confident that our future development and exploration
programs will continue to drive our growth and success in the
region.”
Arawana-J1 Oil Discovery:
- Gran Tierra has
run production casing, cemented and perforated the Basal Tena oil
zone and has begun production testing.
- The Basal Tena
was perforated over 23.5 ft of reservoir. A jet pump was run and
the well has produced at stabilized rates over 48 hours at 1,174
barrels oil per day (“bopd”), 20-degree API gravity oil, less than
1% water cut, and a gas-oil ratio (“GOR”) of 258 standard cubic
feet per stock tank barrel (“scf/stb”).
- The well
continues to clean-up and over the past 12 hours the well has
produced at stabilized rates of 1,358 BOPD of 20-degree API gravity
oil, less than 1% water cut, and a GOR of 239 scf/stb.
The analogue for the Arawana field area is the
Cohembi field 20 km north, where Gran Tierra is in the process of
expanding the waterflood to optimize recovery from the field.
Cohembi produces from the N-sands, the geologic equivalent of the
Basal Tena at the Arawana field area. The closure, thickness, rock
and fluid properties are very similar to that of the Arawana field
area. One notable difference of the Arawana field area is a higher
gas-oil ratio providing a lower oil viscosity which is excellent
for enhanced oil recovery by waterflooding while providing natural
gas for power generation.
Arawana Field Area vs. Cohembi Field Analogue |
Arawana |
Cohembi |
Average Depth (feet) |
9,000 |
9,150 |
Initial Pressure (psi) |
5,000 |
5,200 |
Initial Gas-Oil Ratio (scf/stb) |
239 |
125 |
API Gravity |
20 |
18 |
Initial Oil Viscosity (cps) |
9.7 |
27.0 |
|
|
|
Bubble Point Pressure (psi) |
940 |
580 |
Viscosity at Bubble Point (cps) |
6.4 |
17.0 |
|
|
|
Average Thickness (feet) |
19 |
19 |
Average Porosity (%) |
25% |
22% |
|
|
|
2P Closure (acres) |
11,500 |
10,250 |
Reserves (million barrels of oil)1 |
TBD |
82 |
2P Ultimate number of wells booked drilling locations |
TBD |
49 |
Implied Spacing (acres/well) |
TBD |
210 |
|
|
|
Average Rate/well Initial 90-Day Production (bopd) |
1,000 |
800 |
Average Recovery/well (million barrels of oil) |
TBD |
1.7 |
1 Reserves refers to gross ultimate Proven plus
Probable original recoverable reserves
*Cohembi information is based on GTE’s McDaniel
Reserves Report as of December 31, 2023. Arawana information is
based on initial production data from May 2024. See “Presentation
of Oil and Gas Information”
TBD – To be determined
Exploration Update:
-
Bocachico Norte-J1 (100% WI,
Operator):
- Upon completion
of drilling the Arawana-J1 well, the drilling rig was moved on the
same well pad and commenced drilling the Bocachico Norte-J1
exploration well. The Bocachico Norte-J1 exploration well is a
follow-up to the successful Bocachico-J1 (100% WI, Operator)
exploration well to test both the deeper T-Sandstone and Basal Tena
prospectivity.
- The Bocachico-J1
well had initial 90-day production rates in the Basal Tena (N-Sand
geologic equivalent to Cohembi) of greater than 1,100 BOPD,
continues to produce at approximately 850 BOPD, 20-degree API oil,
and has less than 1% water cut.
- Charapa
Seismic Program:
- The 20km
Charapa-block 2D seismic commitment was successfully completed and
the data is now being processed. The 238km2 3D program is 13%
complete and will be finished shooting in mid-June. The processed
3D dataset is expected to be delivered by the third quarter of 2024
and will be used to high-grade multiple compelling structural leads
identified on vintage 2D seismic lines, which are expected to be
drilled in 2025.
-
Remainder of the 2024 Ecuador Exploration Program:
- Upon completion
of the Bocachico Norte-J1 exploration well, the rig will be moved
to the Charapa Block to drill three exploration wells and finally
back to the Chanangue Block to target two Zabaleta exploration
wells to test the Basal Tena up dip from Arawana-J1, and test
additional deeper U- and T-Sandstone units on the structural
high.
Corporate Presentation:
- Gran Tierra’s Corporate
Presentation has been updated and is available at
www.grantierra.com.
Contact Information
For investor and media inquiries please contact:
Gary GuidryPresident & Chief Executive Officer
Ryan EllsonExecutive 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 the
Company’s strategies related to drilling operations; expectations
regarding reserves amounts; future well costs and production
results; expectations regarding future free cash flow and
liquidity; anticipated capital expenditures, including the funding,
location and impact of capital expenditures; and operating costs
for the Company’s drilling and development operations, 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), 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. 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.
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 contained herein
do not necessarily represent fair market value. Estimates of
reserves for individual properties may not reflect the same level
of confidence as estimates of reserves for all properties, due to
the effect of aggregation. Total Proved plus Probable reserves of
Gran Tierra in Colombia and Ecuador (presented on a consolidated
basis by foreign geographic area) pursuant to the GTE McDaniel
Reserves Report is 147 million bbls. 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. 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. 2P reserves are proved
plus provable 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.
Certain information in this press release may
constitute “analogous information” as defined in NI 51-101,
including but not limited to, information relating to the
properties or wells in geographical proximity to properties that
are or may be held by Gran Tierra. Such information has been
obtained from independent government sources, regulatory agencies
or other industry participants. Gran Tierra believes the
information is relevant as it helps to define the reservoir or
asset characteristics in which Gran Tierra holds or may hold an
interest. Gran Tierra is unable to confirm that the analogous
information was prepared by a qualified reserves evaluator or
auditor pursuant to NI 51-101 COGEH. Such information is not an
estimate of the reserves or asset characteristics attributable to
properties held or potentially to be held by Gran Tierra and there
is no certainty that the reservoir data and economics information
for the properties held or potentially to be held by Gran Tierra
will be similar to the information presented in this press release.
The reader is cautioned that the data relied upon by Gran Tierra
may be in error and/or may not be analogous to such properties held
or to be held by Gran Tierra. The type curves referenced in this
press release reflect a selection from a type curves library
provided by McDaniel. In each case the type curve referenced is
that which in management’s assessment feels best represents the
expected average technical drilling results based upon Gran Tierra
wells in the area as well as non-Gran Tierra wells determined by
management to be analogous for purposes of the type curve
assignments. Type curves presented incorporate the most recent data
from actual well results and would only be representative of the
specific drilled locations. There is no guarantee that Gran Tierra
will achieve the estimated or similar results derived therefrom.
The potential technical estimates have been generated using the
relevant oil type curve noted above, Arawana test results and
incorporating management assumptions relating to such amounts which
are based on historical results. Accordingly, undue reliance should
not be placed on the same. Such information has been prepared by
management for the purposes of making capital investment decisions
and for internal budget preparation only.
This press release discloses 2P drilling
locations in Cohembi, which are Proved locations and Probable
locations derived from the GTE McDaniel Reserves Report and account
for drilling locations that have associated Proved and/or Probable
reserves, as applicable.
Disclosure of Reserve Information and
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
Unless expressly stated otherwise, all estimates
of proved, probable and possible reserves disclosed in this press
release have been prepared in accordance with NI 51-101. Estimates
of reserves 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 estimates based on forecast prices and
costs, whereas SEC and FASB standards require that reserves 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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