Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
(“
Gran Tierra”
or
the “
Company”
) (NYSE
American:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE) today announced an
operational and financial 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 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: “We are pleased to announce that
we started returning value to shareholders via share buybacks
during the third quarter of 2022 (“the Quarter”).
In addition to the share buybacks, we are equally as excited to
have started buying back some of our bonds in the open market to
strengthen our balance sheet.
During the Quarter, we commenced our enhanced
oil recovery (“EOR”) polymer injection project in
the Acordionero field. This pilot injection test is a milestone
after several years of laboratory and modeling indicated the
suitability of Acordionero for EOR. We continue to see strong
performance from our all of our waterfloods and development
drilling programs.
On the exploration front, we progressed on
several prospects during the Quarter. Our Gaitas-1 well in the
Middle Magdalena Valley is currently on production and a second,
deeper exploration well in the field is being planned for the
fourth quarter of 2022. In Ecuador, the Bocachico-1 exploration
well was cased and has commenced a 3-reservoir testing program. In
the Putumayo Basin of Colombia, our Rose-1 well showed encouraging
results while drilling and is currently being cased for
testing.”
Operations Update:
- Production
- Gran Tierra’s
total average production was approximately 30,391 BOPD during the
Quarter, which was 5% higher compared to the third quarter of 2021
and approximately flat with the second quarter of 2022.
- The Company’s
fourth quarter-to-date 2022 total average production(1) has been
approximately 32,000 BOPD.
-
Suroriente
- During the
Quarter, Suroriente experienced occasional disruptions due to
temporary localized blockades. The impact of these blockades
lowered the Company’s total average production for the Quarter by
approximately 920 BOPD.
- Ecuador
Exploration:
- Oriente
Basin: In the Chanangue Block, Gran Tierra has finished
drilling the Bocachico-1 exploration well and run production casing
to a total depth of 10,815 feet (“ft”) measured
depth. The Company plans to test three potential oil zones in the
Basal Tena, U Sand, and T Sand, over the next several weeks, as
identified by petrophysical log analysis. The T Sand was perforated
over 23.5 ft of reservoir and placed on jet pump. The well is still
cleaning up and over the last 24 hour flow period (October 9-10,
2022), it has produced at stabilized rates of 345 BOPD of 34 degree
API gravity oil, 141 bbl of water per day (“BWPD”)
and 133 thousand standard cubic feet of gas per day
(“MCFD”). The Company plans to complete a pressure
build up test to assess if there is any reservoir damage in the T
Sand and to then test the U Sand and Basal Tena immediately after
the pressure build up. After testing the U Sand and Basal Tena, the
Company plans on returning to the T Sand for further production
testing.
- Oriente
Basin: In the Charapa Block, the Company spud its second
2022 exploration well in Ecuador, the Charapa Norte-1 exploration
well, on October 5, 2022. This well is expected to reach its
planned total depth in approximately 28 days.
- Colombia
Exploration:
- Middle
Magdalena Valley Basin:
- Gran Tierra
drilled and completed the Gaitas-1 exploration well in July-August
2022, and the well has been on production test from the Lisama
Formation, which is the same producing formation at the Acordionero
oil field. Gaitas-1 is located approximately 7 kilometers south of
Acordionero’s Southwest Pad. During the last week, Gaitas-1 has
produced at stabilized average rates of 171 BOPD (17 degree API
gravity oil), 652 BWPD and 2 MCFD.
- Based on the
encouraging results of Gaitas-1, Gran Tierra plans to spud the
Gaitas-2 exploration well with a projected spud date later in the
fourth quarter 2022. The Company expects Gaitas-2 to target
multiple reservoir zones in a structurally higher location than the
Gaitas-1 well, in a planned effort to test the deeper Umir Sands
further away from possible oil-water contacts.
- Putumayo
Basin: In the ALEA-1848A Block, Gran Tierra has finished
drilling the Rose-1 exploration well and is currently running
production casing in order to test the well.
Financial Update:
- Share
Buybacks:
-
NCIB: On August 29, 2022, Gran Tierra announced
via press release that the Toronto Stock Exchange
(“TSX”) had approved its notice of intention to
make a normal course issuer bid (the “NCIB”) for
its shares of common stock (the “shares”).
Pursuant to the NCIB, the Company will be able to purchase up to
36,033,969 shares for cancellation, representing 10% of Gran
Tierra’s public float, for a one-year period commencing on
September 1, 2022, and ending on August 31, 2023. The aggregate
purchase price under the NCIB shall not exceed $37.5 million
without further consideration of and approval by Gran Tierra’s
board of directors.
- Share
Buybacks: Pursuant to the NCIB, as of September 30, 2022,
Gran Tierra had purchased approximately 10.8 million shares,
representing about 2.9% of shares outstanding, for a total purchase
price of $14.4 million at an average price of approximately $1.34
per share.
- Bond Buybacks:
- As part of Gran
Tierra’s ongoing commitment to reduce its net debt(2), during
September 2022, the Company bought back approximately $20.1 million
in face value of Gran Tierra’s 6.25% senior notes due February 2025
(the “2025 bonds”), representing approximately
6.7% of the outstanding 2025 bonds.
- The cost of the
2025 bonds’ buyback was approximately $17.3 million, representing a
discount of about 14% to the face value of the 2025 bonds.
- Gran Tierra
intends to hold the 2025 bonds which it has bought back on the
Company’s balance sheet.
- Purchasing the
bonds reflects a savings of $3.0 million in interest expense that
would have been paid over the remaining term to the maturity of the
2025 bonds.
- Cash and Net
Debt(2):
- As of September
30, 2022, Gran Tierra had approximately $118 million in cash on its
balance sheet and net debt(2) of approximately $462 million (net of
the buyback of 2025 bonds described above).
- Gran Tierra’s
new credit facility with Trafigura of up to $150 million remains
undrawn.
(1) Gran Tierra’s fourth quarter-to-date 2022
total Company average production is for the 9-day period of October
1-9, 2022.(2) Net debt is a non-GAAP measure and does not have
standardized meanings under generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America
(“GAAP”). 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.
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
Rodger Trimble Vice President, Investor
Relations
+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 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. Information on the Company’s website (including
the Corporate Presentation referenced above) does not constitute a
part of this press release. Investor inquiries may be directed to
info@grantierra.com or (403) 265-3221.
Gran Tierra’s U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) filings are available on the SEC website at
www.sec.gov. The Company’s Canadian securities regulatory filings
are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and UK regulatory filings
are available on the National Storage Mechanism (“the NSM”) website
at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism. Gran
Tierra's filings on the SEC, SEDAR and the NSM websites are not
incorporated by reference into this press release.
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”). The use of the words “expect,”
“plan,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “guidance,” “forecast,” “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
(including as a result of our testing results), the Company’s
drilling program, the Company’s potential debt repayments and share
repurchases, and its positioning for the remainder 2022. 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
actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the
forward-looking statements in this press release are: Gran Tierra’s
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 (including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic); 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, the Russian
invasion of Ukraine, or from the imposition or lifting of crude oil
production quotas or other actions that might be imposed by OPEC,
such as its recent decision to cut production, 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 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 Gran Tierra currently predicts, which could cause Gran Tierra
to further modify its strategy and capital spending program; prices
and markets for oil and natural gas are unpredictable and volatile;
the accuracy of testing and production results and seismic data,
pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity
pricing and exchange rates); 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; the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its 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 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 Gran
Tierra does not receive the anticipated benefits of government
programs, including government tax refunds; Gran Tierra’s ability
to obtain a new credit agreement and to comply with financial
covenants in its credit agreement and indentures and make
borrowings under any 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, 2021 and
its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These filings are available on the Securities and Exchange
Commission website at http://www.sec.gov and SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
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. In particular, the unprecedented nature of the current
economic downturn, pandemic and industry decline may make it
particularly difficult to identify risks or predict the degree to
which identified risks will impact Gran Tierra’s business and
financial condition. 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.
Non-GAAP Measures
Net debt as of September 30, 2022, is defined as GAAP total debt
before deferred financing fees ($580 million) less cash ($118
million).
Presentation of Oil and Gas Information
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.
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