Overall 2015 Capital Budget Increased by $45 million to $185 million
CALGARY, June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra” or the “Company”) (NYSE MKT: GTE, TSX: GTE), a company focused on oil exploration and production in South America, today announced an increased 2015 capital program. The increased capital is intended to provide accelerated development drilling at the Company’s core producing assets in the Putumayo Basin in Colombia, specifically the Moqueta and Costayaco fields on the Chaza Block. In addition, the Company expects to accelerate the required laboratory and feasibility studies for enhanced oil recovery techniques in the Costayaco and Moqueta fields. All dollar amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.
During the first quarter of 2015, the Company incurred $74 million of the $140 million 2015 capital program. Gran Tierra’s board of Directors has approved a $45 million increase to its 2015 capital program to $185 million.
The allocation of capital includes an increase of $55 million directed at Colombia development, at negotiated reduced services costs. At forward pricing, the additional capital generates IRRs in excess of 30 percent, and the majority of the increased drilling impacts the 2015 exit rate and the forecasted 2016 average production. The total 2015 capital program in Colombia is now $115 million and the majority of Colombia’s capital program is expected to be spent on development drilling activities on the Moqueta and Costayaco fields. The program includes an expected three wells at Moqueta and three wells at Costayaco. These drilling programs are expected to continue into 2016.
Peru’s capital program has been reduced to $49 million, of which $11 million is expected to be incurred during the remainder of 2015. The Company is focused on limiting total costs (capital expenditures and general and administrative expenses) in Peru over the next 12 months to ensure retention of lands and security of assets. The Company is exploring options to maximize shareholder value for the assets in Peru.
Brazil’s capital program has been reduced to $20 million, of which $6 million is expected to be incurred during the remainder of 2015.
Of the total budget of $185 million, $97 million is allocated for drilling, $45 million for facilities, pipelines and other, and $43 million for geological and geophysical expenditures. The program meets all work obligations and commitments in 2015.
The Company expects to finance its 2015 capital program through cash flows from operations and cash on hand, while retaining financial flexibility to undertake further development activities and pursue diversified growth opportunities in Colombia.
Revised 2015 Capital Program ($MM)*:
|
Country |
Drilling |
Facilities & |
Geological & |
Total |
|
Colombia |
70 |
21 |
24 |
115 |
|
Peru |
23 |
18 |
8 |
49 |
|
Brazil |
4 |
5 |
11 |
20 |
|
Corporate |
– |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Total* |
97 |
45 |
43 |
185 |
|
*Gran Tierra is utilizing an average Brent oil price of $63.46 per barrel for budgeting purposes during the second half of 2015. |
Production Outlook
With the revised capital program, Gran Tierra expects 2015 gross working interest (“WI“) production to average between 22,500 and 23,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“BOEPD“) or between 18,400 and 19,400 BOEPD net after royalty (“NAR“). Production from Colombia is expected to be approximately 17,850 BOEPD NAR, with Costayaco contributing approximately 10,400 BOEPD NAR and Moqueta contributing approximately 5,100 BOEPD NAR, assuming a 2% contingency for potential delivery disruptions. Production from the Company’s Brazil operation is expected to average 770 BOEPD NAR. Approximately 99% of expected production is oil, with the balance natural gas.
The accelerated development associated with the increased capital program at the Moqueta field is expected to provide the production capacity for the Company to maintain consistent production during 2016.The additional development is intended to test Probable and Possible reserves recognized by the Company’s external reserves auditor.
Comparison ($MM):
|
Previous |
Incurred |
Revised Forecast |
% |
|
|
Total Capital Program |
$140* |
$74 |
$185 |
+32 |
|
$60 |
$21 |
$115 |
+92 |
|
$55 |
$38 |
$49 |
-11 |
|
$24 |
$14 |
$20 |
-17 |
|
Forecasted Funds Flow from Operations** |
$85 to $105*** |
$130 to $140**** |
+53 |
|
|
Production Guidance – Gross WI |
21,800 – 22,300 |
22,500 – 23,500 |
+3 |
|
|
Production Guidance – NAR***** |
18,200 – 19,200 |
18,400 – 19,400 |
+1 |
|
|
2015 Exit Production Rate – Gross WI |
21,000 – 22,000 |
25,000 – 26,000 |
+18 |
|
* As announced February 8, 2015, and included $1 million associated with corporate activities. |
|
** Funds flow from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015, was $25.6 million. See below under “Forward-Looking Statements and Advisories“. |
|
*** As announced May 6, 2015, assuming an average Brent oil price of $50 for 2015. |
|
**** Assuming an average Brent oil price of $63.46 per barrel for the remainder of 2015. |
|
*****When oil prices increase, the amount of “High Priced Rights” royalties the Company pays is increased, which results in less NAR barrels to the Company. |
About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
Gran Tierra is an international oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Calgary, Canada, incorporated in the United States and operating in South America, with its stock trading on the NYSE MKT Exchange (GTE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (GTE). Gran Tierra holds interests in producing and prospective properties in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. Gran Tierra has a strategy that focuses on establishing a portfolio of producing properties, plus production enhancement and exploration opportunities as appropriate to provide a base for future growth.
Gran Tierra’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings are available on a web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR athttp://www.sedar.com.
Additional information concerning Gran Tierra is available at www.grantierra.com, on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov).
