Gran Tierra Energy Announces 2010 Year-End Reserves
08.02.2011 | CNW
New field discoveries along with reservoir performance at Costayaco results in another record year for reservesCALGARY, Feb. 8 /CNW/ - Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (NYSE Amex: GTE; TSX: GTE) (“Gran Tierra Energy“), a company focused on oil exploration and production in South America, today announced the results of an independent reserve evaluation of the company's reserves by GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd. effective December 31, 2010.
Year-end 2010 Highlights (net after royalties (“NAR“), calculated in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC“) rules):
* Total Proved (“1P“) oil reserves increased 7% to approximately 23.6 million barrels of oil;
* Total Proved plus probable (“2P“) oil reserves increased 11% to approximately 31.0 million barrels of oil;
* Total Proved plus probable plus possible (“3P“) oil and liquids reserves increased 20% to approximately 47.3 million barrels of oil and liquids;
* Reservoir performance expectations were exceeded at the Costayaco field in Colombia and Costayaco 1P reserves changed to 17.7 million barrels of oil at year-end 2010, from 18.7 million barrels of oil at year-end 2009 despite total production of 4.4 million barrels of oil NAR at the Costayaco field in 2010;
* The Moqueta new field discovery in Colombia added total 3P working interest reserves of 12.3 million barrels of oil or NAR 3P reserves of 9.7 million barrels of oil based on the evaluation of three wells completed before year-end 2010. The 2010 year-end reserves do not include the results of the Moqueta-4 delineation well, which is currently testing;
* Gran Tierra Energy produced approximately 7.1 million barrels of company interest oil before royalties and 338.6 million cubic feet of company interest gas before royalties in 2010;
* Annual production for 2010 averaged approximately 19,300 company interest barrels of oil per day (“BOPD“) before royalties, or 14,300 BOPD NAR, an increase of approximately 13% versus 12,684 BOPD NAR in 2009. Production in the fourth quarter of 2010 averaged approximately 15,800 BOPD NAR.
All reserves values contained in the 2010 Highlights, provided above, have been calculated using United States SEC rules. For reserves values 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“), see “Reserves Reported in Accordance with Canadian Reporting Requirements“ below in this press release.
“Gran Tierra Energy attained record levels of reserves and production in 2010 through successful exploration for new reserves and successful management of existing reserves,“ said Dana Coffield, President and CEO. “In 2011, we are focused on continuing growing reserves through exploration drilling in Colombia, Peru and Brazil, continued delineation drilling of new reserves discovered at the Moqueta oil field in Colombia, and growing production through development drilling and reservoir management in existing producing fields in Colombia, Argentina and Brazil. It remains our intent to execute our capital program in 2011 through available cash and cash flow from operations, allowing the company to remain debt free.“
Reserves Reported in Accordance with United States Reporting Requirements
The following reserves are reported consistent with United States Securities and Exchange Commission rules.
The following table summarizes Gran Tierra Energy's year-end 2010 working interest reserves and net after royalty reserves (with average start-of month 2010 oil prices). Also shown in the following table are Gran Tierra Energy's net after royalty reserves for year-end 2009 (with average start-of month 2009 oil prices).
Total Company
Total Company
Light and Medium Oil and
Liquids
(SEC Compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR*
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MBO ** MBO MBO
Proved
Developed Producing 24,105 18,022 20,375
Developed Nonproducing 1,628 1,445 899
Undeveloped 5,390 4,130 808
Total Proved 31,124 23,598 22,082
Total Probable 9,297 7,419 5,820
Total Proved plus Probable 40,421 31,017 27,902
Total Possible 21,712 16,305 11,538
Total PPP 62,133 47,321 39,440
*NAR (net after royalty).
**MBO (thousand barrels of oil).
- Reserves were added through development drilling and technical revisions in the Costayaco and Juanambu fields, along with the Moqueta discovery on the Chaza block and the Jilguero discovery on the Garibay block, both in Colombia.
- Partially offsetting reserve additions was 2010 full year production of 7.1 million barrels of company interest oil before royalties and 338.6 million cubic feet of company interest gas before royalties.
- 1P light and medium oil reserves increased 7% largely due to development drilling in the Costayaco Field and the Moqueta and Jilguero discoveries, partially offset by full year 2010 production.
- 2P light and medium oil reserves increased 11% mainly due to development drilling at Costayaco combined with the Moqueta and Jilguero discoveries.
- 3P light and medium oil and liquids reserves increased by 20% or 7.9 million barrels, largely due to Moqueta discovery.
Total Company
Gas
(SEC Compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MMSCF*** MMSCF MMSCF
Proved
Developed Producing 1,540 1,232 1,113
Developed Nonproducing 0 0 756
Undeveloped 0 0 0
Total Proved 1,540 1,232 1,869
Total Probable 184 147 1,739
Total Proved plus Probable 1,724 1,380 3,608
Total Possible 48,811 42,061 34,520
Total PPP 50,535 43,440 38,128
***MMSCF (million standard cubic feet).
- Gran Tierra Energy has year-end 2010 NAR 3P gas reserves of approximately 43.4 billion cubic feet, an increase of 14% from 38.1 billion cubic feet NAR at year-end 2009 largely associated with the Valle Morado block in northern Argentina.
Colombia
Gran Tierra Energy's Colombia year-end 2010 working interest and net after royalty reserves are shown in the following table (with average start-of month 2010 oil prices). Also shown in the following table is Gran Tierra Energy's Colombian net after royalty reserves for year-end 2009 (with average start-of
Colombia
Light and Medium Oil
(SEC Compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MBO MBO MBO
Proved
Developed Producing 23,069 17,122 19,350
Developed Nonproducing 1,583 1,406 844
Undeveloped 5,191 3,957 597
Total Proved 29,843 22,485 20,791
Total Probable 8,641 6,850 4,972
Total Proved plus Probable 38,484 29,335 25,762
Total Possible 19,323 14,222 9,430
Total PPP 57,807 43,556 35,192
* The increase in proved oil reserves is mainly associated with development drilling in the Costayaco Field in Colombia.
* The increase in 3P reserves is mainly associated with the Moqueta discovery on the Chaza block and the Jilguero discovery on the Garibay block in Colombia.
Colombia
Gas
(SEC Compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MMSCF MMSCF MMSCF
Proved
Developed Producing 1,540 1,232 1,113
Developed Nonproducing 0 0 0
Undeveloped 0 0 0
Total Proved 1,540 1,232 1,113
Total Probable 184 147 652
Total Proved plus Probable 1,724 1,380 1,765
Total Possible 226 181 1,388
Total PPP 1,950 1,560 3,153
* Colombian gas reserves are associated with the Magangue field in the Lower Magdalena basin.
The Costayaco Field 2010 year-end net after royalty reserves are shown in the following table (with average start-of month 2010 oil prices). Also shown in the following table is a comparison of the Costayaco Field 2010 year-end gross lease reserves (with average start-of month 2010 oil prices) to the gross lease reserves estimated in December 31, 2009 (with average start-of month 2009 oil prices).
Costayaco
Light and Medium Oil
(SEC Compliant) 2010 Year-End
Costayaco
Gran Tierra Energy
NAR Reserves 2010 Year-End
Costayaco Gross
Lease Reserves 2009 Year-End
Costayaco Gross
Lease Reserves
Reserves Category MBO MBO MBO
Proved
Developed Producing 14,888 20,568 24,016
Total Proved 17,665 24,440 24,810
Total Probable 3,402 4,761 6,133
Total Proved plus Probable 21,067 29,201 30,943
Total Possible 6,569 9,217 11,718
Total PPP 27,636 38,418 42,661
* Gran Tierra Energy successfully completed workovers on Costayaco-1, -3 and -11 thereby enhancing the productivity of the field.
* In September 2010, a water injection facility was completed with water injection commencing in October 2010 into the T Sand reservoir through the Costayaco-5 and -6 wells.
* The Costayaco-11 well was put on production in early July, 2010.
* Approximately 4.4 million barrels of oil NAR was produced from the Costayaco field in 2010. Through a successful field development program in 2010, Gran Tierra Energy managed to successfully mitigate reserve declines at the Costayaco field.
Argentina
Gran Tierra Energy's Argentina working interest and net after royalty reserves are shown in the following table (with average start-of month 2010 oil prices). Also shown in the following table is Gran Tierra Energy's Argentina net after royalty reserves for year-end 2009 (with average start-of month 2009 oil prices).
Argentina
Light and Medium Oil and
Liquids
(SEC Compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MBO MBO MBO
Proved
Developed Producing 1,036 900 1,025
Developed Nonproducing 45 39 55
Undeveloped 199 173 211
Total Proved 1,281 1,113 1,291
Total Probable 656 569 850
Total Proved plus Probable 1,937 1,682 2,140
Total Possible 2,389 2,083 2,109
Total PPP 4,326 3,765 4,248
Argentina
Gas
(SEC Compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MMSCF MMSCF MMSCF
Proved
Developed Producing 0 0 0
Developed Nonproducing 0 0 756
Undeveloped 0 0 0
Total Proved 0 0 756
Total Probable 0 0 1,087
Total Proved plus Probable 0 0 1,843
Total Possible 48,585 41,880 33,132
Total PPP 48,585 41,880 34,975
Gran Tierra Energy recorded no 1P or 2P gas reserves at year-end 2010 at Valle Morado as the indicated reserves were uneconomic based on budgeted expenditures.
Reserves Reported in Accordance with Canadian Reporting Requirements
The following reserves are compliant with NI 51-101 and COGEH (with forecasted oil price and costs):
Total company
Light and Medium Oil and
Liquids
(NI 51-101 compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MBbl* MBbl MBbl
Proved
Developed Producing 24,125 17,730 19,705
Developed Nonproducing 1,628 1,445 898
Undeveloped 5,403 4,094 784
Total Proved 31,155 23,269 21,386
Total Probable 9,315 7,361 5,410
Total Proved plus Probable 40,470 30,631 26,795
Total Possible 21,696 16,173 11,085
Total PPP 62,166 46,804 37,880
*MBbl (thousand barrels of oil).
Colombia
Gran Tierra Energy's year-end 2010 Colombia working interest and net after royalty reserves are shown in the following table (NI 51-101 compliant with forecast oil price and cost). Also shown in the following table are Gran Tierra Energy's Colombian net after royalty reserves for year-end 2009 (NI 51-101 compliant with forecast oil price and cost).
Colombia
Light and Medium Oil
(NI 51-101 compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MBbl MBbl MBbl
Proved
Developed Producing 23,091 16,832 18,647
Developed Nonproducing 1,583 1,406 843
Undeveloped 5,204 3,921 585
Total Proved 29,877 22,159 20,075
Total Probable 8,639 6,775 4,557
Total Proved plus Probable 38,516 28,934 24,632
Total Possible 19,291 14,075 8,980
Total PPP 57,807 43,009 33,611
The Costayaco Field 2010 year-end net after royalty reserves are shown in the following table (with forecast oil price and cost). Also shown in the following table is a comparison of the Costayaco Field 2010 year-end gross lease reserves (with forecast oil price and cost) to the gross lease reserves estimated at December 31, 2009 (with forecast oil price and cost).
Costayaco
Light and Medium Oil
(NI 51-101 compliant) 2010 Year-End
Costayaco
Gran Tierra Energy
NAR Reserves 2010 Year-End
Costayaco Gross
Lease Reserves 2009 Year-End
Costayaco Gross
Lease Reserves
Reserves Category MBbl MBbl MBbl
Proved
Developed Producing 14,651 20,568 24,257
Total Proved 17,384 24,440 25,079
Total Probable 3,351 4,761 5,864
Total Proved plus Probable 20,735 29,201 30,943
Total Possible 6,470 9,217 11,718
Total PPP 27,205 38,418 42,661
Argentina
Gran Tierra Energy's Argentina year-end 2010 working interest and net after royalty reserves are shown in the following table (NI 51-101 compliant with forecast oil price and cost). Also shown in the following table is Gran Tierra Energy's Argentina net after royalty reserves for year-end 2009 (NI 51-101 compliant with forecast oil price and cost).
Argentina
Light and Medium Oil and
Liquids
(NI 51-101 compliant) 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy Working
Interest Reserves 2010 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves 2009 Year-End
Gran Tierra
Energy NAR
Reserves
Reserves Category MBbl MBbl MBbl
Proved
Developed Producing 1,034 898 1,058
Developed Nonproducing 45 39 55
Undeveloped 199 173 199
Total Proved 1,278 1,110 1,311
Total Probable 676 587 853
Total Proved plus Probable 1,954 1,697 2,164
Total Possible 2,405 2,098 2,105
Total PPP 4,359 3,795 4,269
About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
Gran Tierra Energy Inc. is an international oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Calgary, Canada, incorporated in the United States, trading on the NYSE Amex Exchange (GTE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (GTE), and operating in South America. Gran Tierra Energy holds interests in producing and prospective properties in Argentina, Colombia, Peru and, subject to regulatory approval, in Brazil. Gran Tierra Energy has a strategy that focuses on establishing a portfolio of producing properties, plus production enhancement and exploration opportunities to provide a base for future growth.
Additional information concerning Gran Tierra Energy is available at www.grantierra.com, on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov).
Cautionary Statements:
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. The estimate of reserves for individual properties may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.
A barrel of oil equivalent (BOE) is calculated using the conversion factor of 6,000 cubic feet (“6Mcf“) of natural gas being equivalent to one barrel of oil. BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf : 1 barrel of oil is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release regarding Gran Tierra Energy's expectations, plans, projections and actions including Gran Tierra Energy's expectations regarding its 2011 exploration drilling campaign, reservoir management and production, and expected funding of Gran Tierra Energy's 2011 capital program are “forward-looking statements“ within the meaning of the U.S. federal and Canadian securities laws, including Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements containing the words “estimates“, “expects“, “will“, “scheduled“, “may“, “intends“ and variations of these words are forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Gran Tierra Energy including, without limitation, assumptions relating to the accuracy of its reserves estimates, the continuity of certain industry conditions, the ability of Gran Tierra Energy to execute its current business and operational plans in the manner currently planned. Although Gran Tierra Energy believes that the assumptions underlying, and expectations reflected in, these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct.
The forward-looking statements contined in this press release are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include: Gran Tierra Energy's operations are located in South America, and unexpected problems can arise due to guerilla activity, technical difficulties and operational difficulties which impact the production, transportation or sale of oil and gas; changing prices for crude oil may cause some scheduled projects or actions to become uneconomical, or may change Gran Tierra Energy's focus to other projects or actions which could be of more benefit to Gran Tierra Energy, which could cause projects or actions currently contemplated to be postponed or cancelled; unexpected problems due to technical difficulties, operational difficulties, and weather conditions; and those other risks found in the periodic reports filed by Gran Tierra Energy with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the section entitled “Risk Factors“ in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 5, 2010, and available at the Securities and Exchange Commission's internet site www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
All forward-looking statements in this press release are expressly qualified by information contained in Gran Tierra Energy's filings with regulatory authorities and, subject to its obligations under applicable securities laws, Gran Tierra Energy does not undertake to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For further information:
Jason Crumley
Director, Investor Relations
403-265-3221
info@grantierra.com
www.grantierra.com
