Gran Tierra Energy Inc. ("Gran Tierra" or the "Company") (NYSE:GTE)(TSX:GTE)(LSE:GTE) is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract (collectively, "the Contract") whereby the Company is expected to earn, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions precedent, a 49 percent working interest ("WI") in the Tisquirama block located in the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin of Colombia ("the Block") which contains the Tisquirama and San Roque fields ("the Fields"). Production is expressed in barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") per day ("boepd").
"Gran Tierra views the Contract as a strategic opportunity to obtain operatorship of assets, upon completion of the initial work program, and subject to Executive Committee approval of the corresponding plans with significant original oil in place ("OOIP") that has historically seen limited development or secondary recovery and currently has a relatively low recovery factor. We believe this creates a compelling opportunity to apply Gran Tierra's proven operating model and waterflood expertise to enhance recovery and extend field life. The Fields are adjacent to our Acordionero field and share similar geological characteristics, in which we have successfully implemented waterflood development to maximize recovery. By leveraging the technical expertise and operational efficiencies demonstrated at Acordionero, we believe there is a clear opportunity to waterflood the assets and significantly improve the recovery factor. In addition, we see potential to apply modern technologies, including potential application of horizontal and multi-lateral drilling techniques utilized in our Canadian operations, to increase reservoir contact and improve recovery. The proximity of these assets to our existing operations would also create meaningful synergies, including the ability to integrate water management across the fields and to utilize natural gas to implement a gas to power project, thereby lowering operating costs across the area. Operating these Fields alongside Acordionero would allow Gran Tierra to manage the area as a single operating hub, improving efficiency and maximizing long-term value for all stakeholders. The transaction further strengthens the longstanding partnership between Ecopetrol and Gran Tierra" said Gary Guidry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gran Tierra.
The Contract is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent including regulatory approval by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce of Colombia ("SIC"). The satisfaction of such conditions precedent will determine the Contract's effective date.
Key Terms
- Phase 1 capital activity is expected to focus initially on waterflood expansion from Gran Tierra's operated Acordionero field into the adjoining Fields before accelerating development through wellbore optimization and low-risk infill drilling of the identified OOIP across the Block. Completion of Phase 1 is achieved with a minimum of $15 million, and previous approval of the Executive Committee, gross capital expenditures and implementation of continuous water injection which is currently anticipated to be achieved in the first quarter of 2027.
- Upon completion of Phase 1, Gran Tierra will receive 49 percent of existing base production in addition to 49 percent of incremental production. The Fields averaged 2,500 boepd on a gross basis in 2025. Upon completion of the carry commitment, ongoing capital expenditures would be shared between the parties, with Gran Tierra continuing as operator and applying its waterflood expertise to further expand secondary recovery and accelerate development, with anticipated potential production levels in excess of 13,000 boepd (gross) if development proceeds as expected.
- Expenditure commitment for a $92.4 million carry capital by Gran Tierra of approximately $47.1 million on a gross capital program over 40 months.
- In addition to development opportunities, there are near-field exploration prospects in proven plays on the Block.
- The contract term extends until the economic limit of the Fields, providing long-term development visibility and allowing Gran Tierra and Ecopetrol to fully develop the Block's resource potential.
Refer here for a map of the Block.
- The reservoirs share similar geological characteristics to Gran Tierra's adjoining Acordionero field, where the Company has successfully applied waterflood techniques to enhance recovery. Management will utilize a similar development strategy as at Acordionero, with active waterflood development and efficient low-cost infill drilling. There are greater than 60 unbooked drilling locations across the Block and Gran Tierra and Ecopetrol will evaluate the potential use of multi-leg horizontal drilling techniques to increase reservoir contact and optimize capital efficiencies.
- The development wells will be targeting the same formations and depths in Acordionero which we are currently drilling and completing for less than $2.0 million. We have drilled over 100 wells in the Acordionero field.
- Proximity to Acordionero will provide operational synergies including optimizing water management and injection across the Fields. Natural gas from the blocks may support gas-to-power infrastructure, enabling self-generated electricity and lowering operating costs across the area.