Gran Tierra Energy Inc. together with its subsidiaries (“Gran Tierra”) is an independent international energy company engaged in oil and gas acquisition, exploration, development and production. We own the rights to oil and gas properties in Colombia, Peru and Brazil.
The Company's common shares trade on the NYSE MKT, and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols GTE.
Gran Tierra believes in partnering with the communities in which it operates, and the Company is intensely proud of its shared value, sustainable community and social responsibility programs. Please see our Corporate Responsibility Report for more information.
Strategy
Gran Tierra has fundamentally changed its strategic approach to growth and value creation, as is currently being re-positioned for future success as the preeminent independent producer in Colombia. The Company is focused on its existing portfolio of assets in Colombia and will pursue new growth opportunities throughout Colombia, leveraging the Company’s financial strength. In addition, Gran Tierra intends to expeditiously review the optimum path to maximize shareholder value for prior investments in Peru and Brazil.
“Gran Tierra’s leadership team is committed to creating shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation and appropriate portfolio risks.”
Gary Guidry, President and CEO, May 2015
History
Gran Tierra was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on June 6, 2003, originally under the name Goldstrike Inc. We made our initial acquisition of oil and gas producing and non-producing properties in Argentina in September 2005. Since then, we have acquired oil and gas producing and non-producing assets in Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil, with our largest acquisitions being the acquisition of Solana Resources Limited (“Solana”) in 2008 and Petrolifera Petroleum Limited (“Petrolifera”) in 2011.
In 2014, we sold our Argentina business unit and have minimized spending in our Brazil and Peru business units, turning our focus more so to cash generating initiatives in Colombia.
Gary is a professional engineer and has more than 35 years of experience developing and maximizing assets in the international oil and gas industry. Mr. Guidry has direct experience managing large, international projects, including assets in Latin America, Africa, the Middle-East and Asia. Most recently Mr. Guidry was the President and CEO of Caracal Energy, a London Stock Exchange listed Company with operations in Chad, Africa. He held that position from mid-2011 until the Company was acquired by Glencore plc for $1.8 billion in mid-2014. In 2014, Mr. Guidry was awarded the Oil Council Executive of the Year award for his leadership role with Caracal. Prior to Caracal, Mr. Guidry was the President and CEO of Orion Oil and Gas (TSX listed), which operated in western Canada from mid-2009 until mid-2011 when it was sold. From May 2005 until December 2008, he was the President and CEO of Tanganyika Oil Company (TSX listed) which operated in Syria and Egypt. Prior to Tanganyika, Mr. Guidry was CEO of Calpine Natural Gas Trust. Mr. Guidry is an Alberta-registered Professional Engineer and a member of APEGA. He received a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1980.
Ryan Ellson – Chief Financial Officer
Ryan has 15 years of experience in a broad range of international corporate finance and accounting roles. Most recently, Mr. Ellson was Head of Finance for Glencore E&P (Canada) and prior thereto Vice President, Finance at Caracal Energy, a London Stock Exchange listed company with operations in Chad, Africa. While at Caracal Energy, Mr. Ellson was instrumental in negotiating a $330 million farm-out to Glencore, secured a $250 million reserve based lending facility (winner of several trade finance deals of the year), and involved in multiple capital raises totaling approximately $500 million. Ryan was also instrumental in the successful listing of the Company on the London Stock Exchange. Prior to Caracal, Mr. Ellson held several management and executive positions with companies operating in Egypt, India and Canada. Mr. Ellson is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan.
Jim Evans – Vice President, Corporate Services
Jim has over 20 years of experience including working the last 10 years in the international oil and gas industry. Most recently Jim was the Head of Compliance & Corporate Services for Glencore E&P (Canada) and prior thereto Vice President of Compliance & Corporate Services at Caracal Energy where he oversaw the execution of corporate strategy and goals, developed and implemented a robust corporate compliance program, and managed all aspects of IT, document control, security and administration. Mr. Evans also managed the recruitment, training and retention of staff in both Calgary and Chad. He oversaw the growth of the Company from seven employees to in excess of 400 as Caracal Energy exceeded 20,000 barrels of oil per day at the time of sale to Glencore. Prior to Caracal, Mr. Evans held senior management and executive positions at Orion Oil and Gas and Tanganyika Oil, with operating experience in Egypt, Syria and Canada. Mr. Evans is a Certified General Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.
David Hardy – Vice President Legal and General Counsel
David has more than 20 years of experience in the legal profession. Before joining Gran Tierra Energy in March 2010, he worked for EnCana Corporation for 9 years and held various positions, including: Vice President Divisional Legal Services, Integrated Oil and Canadian Plains Divisions; Vice President Regulatory Services, Corporate Relations Division; and Associate General Counsel, Offshore and International Division. For 4 of his 8 years in the Offshore and International Division of EnCana, Mr. Hardy led the Legal and Commercial Negotiations Group. He has experience in new ventures, dispositions and operations in various countries, including Australia, Brazil, Chad, Libya, Oman, Qatar and Yemen. Prior to his time at EnCana, Mr. Hardy spent over 10 years in private practice and was a partner in a law firm in Calgary, Alberta. He holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Calgary (converted from an LLB Degree in 2011) and is a member of the Law Society of Alberta and the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators.
Alan Johnson – Vice President, Asset Management
Alan is a professional engineer with over 21 years of experience working internationally in the oil and gas industry. His experience includes varied technical, managerial and executive roles in drilling, production, reservoir, reserves, corporate planning and asset management. Most recently Alan was Head of Asset Management for Glencore (E&P) Canada and prior thereto Director of Asset Management at Caracal Energy where he was responsible for all development activities in Chad, Africa. Alan was instrumental in developing oil and gas assets in remote areas of southern Chad, achieving first production in less than 18 months. Mr. Johnson started his E&P career with Shell International in the Dutch North Sea. He then held positions of increasing responsibility with Shell Canada, APF Energy, Rockyview Energy, Delphi Energy and BG Australia. Mr. Johnson graduated with a 1st Class B.Eng (Hons) from Heriot Watt University in Scotland. Mr. Johnson is a Chartered Engineer in the UK and a Professional Engineer in Alberta.
Lawrence West – Vice President, Exploration
Lawrence has 35 years of experience as an executive, explorationist, and geologist. Most recently, Mr. West was Vice President, Exploration at Caracal Energy. Lawrence built a multi-disciplinary team to assess resources and grow reserves in the interior rift basins within Chad and led a successful exploration program. During his tenure he successfully executed two large 2D/3D seismic shoots in remote frontier basins, on time and on budget. Prior to Caracal he has been involved in starting and growing several public and private companies, including Reserve Royalty Corp., Chariot Energy, Auriga Energy and Orion Oil and Gas. Lawrence worked at Alberta Energy Company (AEC), where he was on the team that merged with Conwest. He built and led the AEC East team to the Rocky Mountain USA basins. His career began with Imperial Oil working on prospect and reservoir characterization, in multi-disciplinary teams, and as a technical mentor to exploration teams. Lawrence has an Honours Bachelor of Science in Geology from McMaster University and an MBA, specializing in economics, from the University of Calgary.
Ed Caldwell - Vice President, Health, Safety and Environment & Corporate Social Responsibility
Ed Caldwell had a distinguished 27-year career with ExxonMobil and Imperial Oil, and most recently worked with Caracal Energy Inc. in Caracal's efforts and achievement in Chad. Mr. Caldwell has extensive experience in senior Regulatory Approvals and HSE Management roles in Canada, Asia, Russia, and Africa. He has also worked with the Government of Canada and, in that capacity, represented Canada at the OECD Energy/Environment Committee as well as at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Mr. Caldwell graduated in Chemical Engineering (Distinction) from Dalhousie University.
Susan Mawdsley - Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller
Susan Mawdsley is a Chartered Accountant with 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. She has been the Corporate Controller of Gran Tierra Energy since 2012 and has direct responsibility for the finance departments in all business units, as well as treasury and internal audit. Prior to joining Gran Tierra in 2011, she was an independent consultant providing contract controller, CFO, and other finance related services to publicly traded domestic and international oil and gas companies. Ms. Mawdsley is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance degree from the University of Toronto.
Glen Mah - Vice President, Business Development
Glen Mah is a Petroleum Geologist with extensive management experience covering the execution of exploration programs, field development and asset management for conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons. He has worked with onshore and offshore projects in various petroleum basins in the Americas, Africa, Middle East and Asia. Mr. Mah was the Chief Geologist with the highly successful Tanganyika Oil Company Ltd. Mr. Mah has Alberta-registered Professional designation with APEGA and holds a Bachelor of Science degree Specialization in Geology from the University of Alberta.
Rodger Trimble - Vice President, Investor Relations
Rodger Trimble is a Professional Engineer with 30+ years of experience in domestic and international basins in various management positions. Prior to joining Gran Tierra, Mr. Trimble was Head of Corporate Planning, Budgeting & Finance with Glencore E&P Canada Inc. and prior thereto Director Corporate Planning, Budget & Business Development with Caracal Energy Inc. (acquired by Glencore E&P). He has held several senior management positions ranging from Country Manager in Argentina with Canadian Hunter Exploration, Vice President, Exploitation with Esprit Energy Trust, Manager, Reservoir Engineering with Apache Canada Inc. and Manager, Upstream Evaluations - Frontiers & International with Husky Energy. Mr. Trimble is an Alberta-registered Professional Engineer and a member of APEGA. He received a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering (with Distinction) from Stanford University.
Gran Tierra Energy is currently undertaking exploration and production operations in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Reserves and production operations are located in Colombia and Brazil, while exploration operations are located in Colombia, Brazil and Peru. In addition, Gran Tierra Energy is undertaking various additional business development initiatives in Colombia. The company has working interests in 31 blocks in Latin America encompassing approximately nine million net acres of land.
Member