Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
(“Gran Tierra” or
the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE) today
announced its 2025 capital budget, production guidance and
operational update. All dollar amounts are in United States
dollars and all production volumes are on a working interest before
royalties basis and are expressed in barrels of oil equivalent
(
“boe”) per day (
“BOEPD”), unless
otherwise stated.
Message to Shareholders
Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Gran Tierra, commented: “Following up on a strong 2024,
which included a very successful exploration campaign and a new
country entry into Canada, we are looking forward to our 2025
development and exploration program. Our 2025 budget, which is
expected to be fully funded by Cash Flow1, takes a balanced,
returns-focused approach to capital allocation while focusing on
portfolio longevity. At the midpoint of the Base Case, our
production guidance of 50,000 BOEPD represents an increase of 44%
from the 34,710 BOEPD 2024 total company production achieved in
2024.
We plan to focus on profitably growing reserves
and production across our Colombian, Ecuadorian and Canadian
assets, pursue high impact exploration throughout our portfolio,
and invest in facility and infrastructure projects to maximize the
long-term value of our assets. This year’s budget would fulfil our
exploration commitments in Ecuador which were a result of obtaining
the lands back in 2019. Since 2021 we have drilled 10 exploration
wells, had 9 discoveries and shot 238 kilometers of 3D seismic in
Ecuador. This year, we expect to drill four exploration wells in
Ecuador and two to three wells to further appraise our exciting
discoveries. We have also planned a very active capital program in
the Suroriente block including drilling 5-7 wells, investing in a
gas-to-power project, and significant facility investment to
increase fluid handling due to increased production and water
injection. We forecast spending approximately $60-$80 million in
Suroriente, which would fulfil a material component of our $123
million commitment associated with obtaining the 20-year extension.
In addition, we plan on drilling a further two to four high impact
exploration wells in Colombia. The exploration program and
Suroriente capital program represent approximately $135 million of
this year’s capital program. After the fulfilment of commitments in
2025, we expect 2026 and beyond to be focused on exploiting our
extensive asset base, including anticipated development of our
recent discoveries, drilling on our extensive Canadian landholdings
and optimizing our assets under waterflood.
We believe Gran Tierra is strongly positioned
with a low base decline, a robust portfolio of conventional and
unconventional oil and gas assets, and a high-impact exploration
program. As we continue to profitably advance our operational and
financial goals, we remain deeply committed to the well-being of
our employees and the communities where we operate, recognizing
their essential role in our success.”
Key Highlights:
2025 Guidance:
- Gran Tierra is
forecasting the following ranges for the Company’s 2025
budget:
2025 Budget |
Low Case |
Base Case |
High Case |
Brent Oil Price ($/bbl) |
65.00 |
75.00 |
85.00 |
WTI Oil Price ($/bbl) |
61.00 |
71.00 |
81.00 |
AECO Natural Gas Price ($CAD/thousand cubic feet) |
2.00 |
2.50 |
3.50 |
Production (BOEPD) |
47,000-53,000 |
47,000-53,000 |
47,000-53,000 |
Operating Netback3 ($ million) |
330-370 |
430-470 |
510-550 |
EBITDA4 ($ million) |
300-340 |
380-420 |
460-500 |
Cash Flow1 ($ million) |
200-240 |
260-300 |
300-340 |
Capital Expenditures ($ million) |
200-240 |
240-280 |
240-280 |
Free Cash Flow2 ($ million) |
- |
20 |
60 |
Number of Development Wells (gross) |
8-12 |
10-14 |
10-14 |
Number of Exploration Wells (gross) |
6 |
6-8 |
6-8 |
Budgeted Costs |
Costs per BOE ($/boe) |
Lifting |
12.00-14.00 |
Workovers |
1.50-2.50 |
Transportation |
1.00-2.00 |
General and Administration |
2.00-3.00 |
Interest |
4.00-4.50 |
Current Tax |
2.00-3.00 |
* Budgeted royalties as a percentage of total revenue
were approximately 19% in the base case
- 2025
Base Capital Program: Building on a successful capital
campaign in 2024, Gran Tierra plans to continue to execute on its
strategy of delivering value by seeking to add new reserves,
investing in facility and infrastructure projects to maximize
recovery and minimize cost, and providing future growth through
exploration. Gran Tierra forecasts spending approximately 55% of
its capital program in Colombia, 30% in Ecuador, and 15% in Canada,
respectively.
Category |
Capital ($ million) |
Key Activities |
Colombia Development |
105-120 |
Suroriente (47% W.I.): Drill 5-7 gross development
wells;facility expansion, gas-to-power generation upgrades
andsocial investment in the areaAcordionero (100%
W.I.): Investment facility expansionactivities,
gas-to-power generation upgrades and injectorconversions |
Ecuador Development |
35-45 |
Chanangue/Charapa (100% W.I.): Drill 2-3 appraisal
wells |
Canada Development |
35-45 |
Simonette (50% W.I.): Drill 5 gross development
wellsNisku (100% W.I.): Drill 1 development
well |
Exploration |
65-70 |
Ecuador: Drill 4 exploration
wellsColombia: Drill 2 to 4 exploration wells |
|
-
Development: Gran Tierra expects to drill a total
of 10 to 14 net development wells in its 2025 capital program,
including:
-
Suroriente: The Company plans to drill 5-7 gross
development wells in the Cohembi oil field located in the Southern
Putumayo Basin of Colombia. In addition to development drilling,
Gran Tierra is also planning facility expansion, gas-to-power
generation upgrades, and continued social investment in the area.
With the planned investments in 2025, production and reserves are
expected to significantly increase in 2026 and beyond.
-
Acordionero: The Company plans to focus on the
optimization of the field through continued waterflood expansion
activities, including facility expansions, workovers (ESP upsizes
and injector conversions) and gas-to-power generation upgrades.
These expenditures are expected to reduce unit costs while
maintaining production by offsetting natural declines and
increasing overall recovery. The Company is planning an active
development drilling program in 2026.
-
Chanangue: The Company plans to continue its
appraisal program on the highly prospective Arawana/Zabaleta
productive trend in Ecuador by drilling 2-3 appraisal wells.
-
Simonette: Gran Tierra plans to drill 2.5 net
wells at Simonette targeting two-layer co-development of the Lower
and Middle Montney offering improved capital efficiency and lower
proportionate infrastructure spending.
- Exploration: Approximately 20-30% of the
Company’s 2025 capital program is expected to be allocated to high
impact exploration activities and the drilling of 6 to 8
exploration wells in Colombia and Ecuador in the Base and High
Case. Gran Tierra’s 2025 exploration drilling is planned to follow
up on the encouraging results from the Company’s 2024 exploration
program while meeting all its Ecuador exploration commitments. The
Company continues to focus its exploration program on short-cycle
time, near-field prospects in proven basins with access to
transportation infrastructure.
- Fully
Funded Capital Program Generating Free Cash
Flow2: Gran Tierra’s
mid-point Base Case 2025 capital budget of $260 million is expected
to be fully funded from the Base Case 2025 mid-point Cash Flow1
forecast of $280 million, based on an assumed average $75.00/bbl
Brent oil price, $71.00/bbl WTI oil price, and CAD$2.50/thousand
cubic feet AECO natural gas price. Gran Tierra remains focused on
generating Free Cash Flow2, ongoing net debt5 reduction and
shareholder returns via share buybacks.
- Share
Buybacks: During 2025, Gran Tierra plans to allocate up to
approximately 50% of its Free Cash Flow after exploration to share
buybacks in the Base Case. During 2024, the Company repurchased
approximately 6.7% of its outstanding shares.
Gran Tierra’s Commitment to Go “Beyond
Compliance” with Safe and Sustainable Operations
- 2024 was the
Company’s safest year in company history, with a total of 27.8
million person-hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI), and a Total
Recordable Case Frequency (TRCF) of 0.03, which places Gran Tierra
within the top quartile in safety performance in the Americas.
Operations Update
- 2024 Production
- Gran Tierra
achieved total company average production in 2024 of approximately
34,710 BOEPD, an increase of 6% from 2023 and 13% from 2022.
- Ecuador
- Chanangue Block:
Gran Tierra has completed its first horizontal well drilled in
Ecuador, the Zabaleta Oeste well. The well drilled through 700 feet
of pay in the Basal Tena formation and has yielded promising
results, confirming the area’s potential for horizontal
development. The well continues to clean-up and we anticipate the
clean-up will take longer than what is expected for a vertical
well. Encouragingly, the well encountered good porosity sands,
validating our geologic and reservoir models and confirming the
extent of the Basal Tena sands within the Chanangue Block.
- Iguana
Block: Following the drilling of the Zabaleta Oeste well,
the rig is currently being mobilized over to the Iguana Block to
drill the first exploration well of 2025.
- Canada
- Simonette: The
development plan with our new Joint Venture partner, Logan Energy,
has commenced with the first two wells being drilled. Both wells
are planned to be stimulated by the end of the first quarter or the
beginning of the second quarter of 2025.
- Central: Gran
Tierra has drilled a well in the Nisku play with a horizontal
lateral length of over 3,000 meters; testing is planned to commence
in February 2025.
- Clearwater: Gran
Tierra has drilled 5 new wells in the Clearwater at East Dawson and
Walrus. The Clearwater program has confirmed the quality of our
acreage in the Clearwater play. These wells are expected to come
onstream in late January 2025.
- Colombia
- Suroriente Block:
A rig is currently being mobilized to the Cohembi North pad, with
first production expected by the end of the first quarter of
2025.
1 “Cash Flow” refers to line item “net cash
provided by operating activities” under generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”).2
“Free Cash Flow” is a non-GAAP measure and does not have a
standardized meaning under GAAP. Free Cash Flow is defined as “net
cash provided by operating activities” less capital expenditures.
Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures" in this press release. Forecast 2025
free cash flow of $80 million “before exploration” is equal to the
Base Case midpoint cash flow of $280 million less the Base Case
midpoint total capital of $260 million, with Base Case midpoint
exploration-only capital of approximately $70 million added back.
Forecast 2025 Free Cash Flow of $20 million “after exploration” is
equal to the Base Case midpoint cash flow of $280 million less the
Base Case midpoint total capital of $260 million. Free Cash Flows
in the table above are the midpoints of the ranges of cash flows
less the midpoints of the ranges of total capital expenditures for
each oil price scenario.3 “Operating netback” is a non-GAAP
measures and does not have standardized meaning under GAAP. Refer
to “Non-GAAP Measures” in this press release.4 Earnings before
interest, taxes and depletion, depreciation and accretion
(“EBITDA”) is a non-GAAP measure and does not have
a standardized meaning under GAAP. Refer to "Non-GAAP Measures" in
this press release.5 Net debt is defined as GAAP total debt before
deferred financing fees less cash.
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 Canada, Colombia and Ecuador. The Company is currently
developing its existing portfolio of assets in Canada, 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 filings with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) 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
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, which can be identified by such terms
as “expect”, “plan”, “can,” “will,” “should,” “guidance,”
“forecast,” “signal,” “measures taken to” and “believes”,
derivations thereof and similar terms identify forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, the Company’s capital budget amount and uses; the
Company’s strategies related to exploration, drilling and operation
activities; expectations regarding reservoir prospects and
production amounts; future well results (including initial oil and
natural gas production rates and productive capacity based on past
performance); expected future net cash provided by operating
activities (described in this press release as “cash flow”), free
cash flow, operating netback, EBITDA and certain associated
metrics; anticipated capital expenditures, including the location
and impact of capital expenditures; operating and general and
administrative costs; production guidance for 2025; and the
Company’s expectations as to debt repayment, share repurchases and
its positioning for 2025 and beyond. 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,
the ability of Gran Tierra to successfully integrate the assets and
operations of i3 Energy or realize the anticipated benefits and
operating synergies expected from the acquisition of i3 Energy, the
accuracy of testing and production results and seismic data,
pricing and cost estimates (including with respect to commodity
pricing and exchange rates), and the general continuance of current
or, where applicable, assumed operational, regulatory and industry
conditions in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador and areas of potential
expansion, and the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business
and operational plans in the manner currently planned. Gran Tierra
believes the material factors, expectations and assumptions
reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this
time, but no assurance can be given that these factors,
expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.
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: certain of
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 Gran Tierra’s products; other disruptions to local
operations; 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 ongoing 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 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 and natural gas prices and oil and natural gas 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 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 Gran Tierra’s products;
the ability of Gran Tierra to execute its business plan, which may
include acquisitions, and realize expected benefits from current or
future 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 Gran Tierra’s 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 Gran Tierra’s 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 comply with financial covenants in its credit agreement and
indentures and make borrowings under its credit agreement; and the
risk factors detailed from time to time in Gran Tierra's periodic
reports filed with the SEC, 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 on February 20,
2024 and its other filings with the SEC. These filings are
available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Guidance is uncertain, particularly when
given over extended periods of time, and results may be materially
different. Although the current capital spending program and long
term strategy of Gran Tierra is based upon the current expectations
of the management of Gran Tierra, should any one of a number of
issues arise, Gran Tierra may find it necessary to alter its
business strategy and/or capital spending program and there can be
no assurance as at the date of this press release as to how those
funds may be reallocated or strategy changed and how that would
impact Gran Tierra's results of operations and financing position.
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. Gran Tierra's forward-looking
statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this
cautionary statement.
The estimates of future production, EBITDA, net
cash provided by operating activities (described in this press
release as “Cash Flow”), Free Cash Flow and operating netback may
be considered to be future-oriented financial information or a
financial outlook for the purposes of applicable Canadian
securities laws. Financial outlook and future-oriented financial
information contained in this press release about prospective
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 2025. 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.
Presentation of Oil and Gas
Information
This press release contains certain oil and gas
metrics, including operating 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.
Such metrics are calculated as described in this press release and
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.
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, heavy crude oil, tight oil,
conventional natural gas, shale gas and natural gas liquids for
which there is no precise breakdown since the Company’s sales
volumes typically represent blends of more than one product type.
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.
Boe’s have been converted on the basis of six
thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) natural gas to 1 bbl of oil. Boe’s may
be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion
ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion
method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not
represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. In addition, given
that the value ratio based on the current price of oil as compared
with natural gas is significantly different from the energy
equivalent of six to one, utilizing a boe conversion ratio of 6
Mcf: 1 bbl would be misleading as an indication of value.
Non-GAAP Measures
This press release includes forward-looking
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 an alternative to net income or loss 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, it may not be comparable to similar
measures used by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures
are presented along with the corresponding GAAP measure so as to
not imply that more emphasis should be placed on the non-GAAP
measure.
Gran Tierra is unable to provide forward-looking
net income, net cash provided by operating activities, and oil and
gas sales, the GAAP measures most directly comparable to the
non-GAAP measures EBITDA, free cash flow and operating netback,
respectively, due to the impracticality of quantifying certain
components required by GAAP as a result of the inherent volatility
in the value of certain financial instruments held by the Company
and the inability to quantify the effectiveness of commodity price
derivatives used to manage the variability in cash flows associated
with the forecasted sale of its oil and natural gas production and
changes in commodity prices.
Operating netback as presented is defined as
projected 2025 oil and gas sales less projected 2025 operating and
transportation expenses. The most directly comparable GAAP measures
are oil and gas sales and oil and gas sales price, respectively.
Management believes that operating netback is useful supplemental
measures for management and investors to analyze financial
performance and provides an indication of the results generated by
our principal business activities prior to the consideration of
other income and expenses. Gran Tierra is unable to provide a
quantitative reconciliation of either forward-looking operating
netback to its most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP
measure because management cannot reliably predict certain of the
necessary components of such forward-looking GAAP measures.
EBITDA as presented is defined as projected 2025
net income adjusted for DD&A expenses, interest expense and
income tax expense or recovery. The most directly comparable GAAP
measure is net income. 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, and believes that this financial measure
is also useful supplemental information for investors to analyze
performance and our financial results. Gran Tierra is unable to
provide a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking EBITDA to
its most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure because
management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary
components of such forward-looking GAAP measure.
Free cash flow as presented is defined as GAAP
projected “net cash provided by operating activities” less
projected 2025 capital spending. The most directly comparable GAAP
measure is net cash provided by operating activities. Management
believes that free cash flow is a useful supplemental measure for
management and investors to in order to evaluate the financial
sustainability of the Company’s business. Gran Tierra is unable to
provide a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking free cash
flow to its most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP measure
because management cannot reliably predict certain of the necessary
components of such forward-looking GAAP measure.
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